President's message

Colleagues,
It's Spring! Here in Spokane, the daffodils are open, as are some early tulips, the forsythia is blazing gold, and many of the flowering trees are in full bloom. It feels so enlivening after winter.
So, what else can we do to get in synch with the season and feel enlivened? Being outside helps, as does participating in fine musical experiences such as the April workshop in Seattle with Ed Sprunger.
Personally, I'm feeling much more lively after seven weeks of physical therapy for that bane of many instrumentalists' existence, repetitive motion stress injury. As my PT asked with incredulity just yesterday, "Who invented how to play violin?!" Good question, eh?
So, how do you deal with discomforts/aches/pains associated with overuse or misuse? How do you prevent physical damage in your own playing and in your students'? For the last two-three years, the musicians' union journal, The International, has run articles several times a year regarding injury prevention and healing. Preventing injury in students is on the American String Teachers' Association list of requirements for good teaching.
SAWS member Kerry Travers presented a workshop at our 2007 Festival for the upper strings, "What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body."It's the sort of thing many of us wished we'd known decades ago, before any damaging habits became so ingrained. Knowledge of body dynamics and body mapping can prevent and correct misuse. Kerry is one of only two teachers certified by Andover Educators to teach this course. Consider having her present a workshop in your studio---your students' bodies will appreciate it!
Wishing you a healthy and happy season!
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Cullitan, President.