Every music college should play “Music for 18 Musicians”. It is the best training for ensemble playing, listening, rhythm and confidence-building – and a great way to make new friends.
Most percussionists have Steve Reich’s pieces on their wish list before they even get to college, but “Music for 18” is often new to pianists, string players, clarinettists and singers. For them, it will probably involve playing/singing in an unfamiliar way – but one that will add hugely to their skill-sets.
Most importantly, it is great fun to learn this piece, and audiences absolutely love it!
Having Micaela work with the players and singers, especially in the earlier and later stages of preparation, will make an enormous difference to the students’ performance – and save hours of rehearsal.
Feedback below from Schools and Colleges
Students from the Academy of Music (Ljubljana University), the University of Music & Performing Arts (Graz), and the University of Music & Theatre (Munich)
“Micaela is extremely knowledgeable and clearly knows Steve Reich's music very well. Her knowledge would be more than welcome at any stage of the preparation for the performance of this remarkable work.”
“Thank you once again for your work! It was really precious.”
Luka Juhart - Head of the Department of Contemporary Music, Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana
Students from HSLU (University of Applied Sciences and Arts), Lucerne
“Thank you for taking the time to come and work with us in Lucerne. It was enriching and gave the whole project that extra kick that will make it an experience the students will never forget. It was a great pleasure to meet you, and I hope to have an opportunity to work together again someday. “
Erik Borgir – Cello Professor and Head of Contemporary Music Studies
Teacher and Students from Universität Mozarteum & Tiroler Landeskonservatoriums, Innsbruck
“Thank you again for your fantastic job in rehearsals and coaching! Rarely have I experienced such a chilled atmosphere during rehearsals, without sacrificing any bit of quality. You managed to bring this piece to the highest possible level we could play it and every single person was equally involved“
Josef Haller - Senior Lecturer for Piano and Contemporary Music at Mozarteum University Innsbruck
HKB Ensemble Vertigo, Bern
“Thanks for your invaluable input and fantastic energy. Personally, I'm still flying from that concert”
Brian Archinal - Professor of Percussion
Bern University of the Arts (Hochschule der Künste Bern)
Hannover Hochschule, Germany
“We’re so pleased to have Micaela involved in this “Music for 18” project.
Our first rehearsals consisted of sectionals and workshops, and after only
2 days the students were able to play together through the whole piece.
With Micaela’s help we were shown the best way to approach this
fascinating work. We are confident that we now have the skills
to practise and improve on our own before we see her again
a few days before the concert next May.”
Prof. Andreas Boettger - Head of Percussion
Hannover State University for Music, Drama and Media
Royal College of Music, London
“Huge thanks and congratulations. I don’t think that I’ve seen, even amongst all the terrific concerts that we have done here, a concert with such a feeling of joy and achievement.
The students who took part are still buzzing with excitement, and a realisation of just what they achieved. And they wouldn’t have achieved it without your expert and infectious leadership and guidance.
Thank you for taking such time and trouble to challenge the students, and to give them the confidence to perform in such a remarkable way.”
Stephen Johns – Artistic Director,
Royal College of Music
Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Munich
with The Breakout Ensemble Munich
“Without your coaching and direction, the performance would never have reached the amazing confidence and accuracy it had.”
Steve Reich
"Thank you so much for your fantastic work!"
Wolfram Winkel - Percussion Teacher
St Paul’s School, London
“I can’t possibly thank you enough for being such a legend, not to mention such a brilliantly patient and inspiring coach. It was a real treat to work with you.”
Ryan Hepburn – Assistant Director of Music, St Paul’s School, London
Answers from the 'About' page
Plan 1 – All the pianos show the bass notes (longer strings) on the right side of the instrument instead of the left, so they’ve all been drawn the wrong way round.
Plan 2 – The pianos are correct, but the vibraphone shows the lower notes (longer bars) on the right side, so this instrument is drawn the wrong way round.