As an educator, performer and an adjudicator, I get the chance to work with musicians in many different circles daily. Recently I had the opportunity to hear an ensemble that was loud; really loud. I was told by the leader of this group that 'we are are really loud', almost as if she/he was proud of this moniker. I did not make much of this statement until I heard the ensemble begin to play. He/she was not kidding....they were really loud. So much so, that I inserted my ear-plugs so that I could comfortably listen to the entirety of their performance. I was about 60 feet from the front row of musicians.....there were audience members sitting about 10 feet from the front row....what did they experience? What do the musicians in those ensembles experience on a regular basis in their rehearsals? Needless to say I was uncomfortable, even with my ear-plugs in so I can only imagine how the students in the ensemble feel. Or do they even realize what damage is occurring every time they meet to rehearse. What would you do? In the moment I chose not to single out what was happening, but at the end of all of the ensemble performances at this particular festival, I took the time to mount my soap-box and preach about the need to protect our ears from harmful levels of sound. (Note: this particular group of students was unfortunately not in the auditorium as they had left shortly after their last ensembles performance.) The students and adults who were in attendance listened as I shared some information about what happens with regards to decibel levels and identified a couple of inexpensive but functional products that are available that will help ensure that they are able to hear their grand-children's voice calling them when they get to be of that age. Marshall Chasin is an audiologist and Musicians injury specialist based in Toronto. Long ago, I had the chance to hear him speak at an OMEA conference. What he said rang loud and clear for me....I needed to do something. And I did. Shortly after that conference, I visited a local audiologist who fitted me for a set of form fitting, musician designed ear plugs that I still wear today. I bring my ear plugs to the movie theatres, I use them on long drives to and from different events and I wear special ear muffs when I complete jobs around the house (lawn mowing, snow-blowing, chainsaw work, vacuuming, etc.) I rely on my ears for all that I do pretty much everyday. I can not risk damaging or losing my most prized sense....the ability to hear everything around me.
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I invite you to come by......This section is composed of observations or impressions I have, or others I value, share about music and its power. Archives
August 2019
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