Re: [Harp-L] shifting gears...Big vs Small

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Richard Hunter wrote:
> <clippage>  Here's one idea: the harmonica festival of the future is broken out into a series of days devoted to particular levels of players.  Day one is for novices, and features lots of instruction in basic techniques, plus seminars in jamming, gear, etc.  Day two is for intermediate level players, and features seminars in particular styles, discussions of advanced techniques, more jamming, and maybe even courses on making it in the music business.  Day three is all masterclasses taught by top pros, with plenty of concert performances.  Day four is jamming all day long, with a concert at the end.  Attendees can buy tickets by the day or by the week.
>
> Is this a formula that will retain intimacy while increasing the numbers of attendees--especially beginners and intermediate players--and the quality of the experience?  Maybe.  It's not the only approach.

I've been watching this thread with interest as the two SPAH meetings 
I've attended have given me some of my fondest memories. I've also been 
motivated to keep quiet on the subject because I myself am 
embarrassingly delinquent in following up with Tom Stryker on an idea I 
had for increasing interest in playing harmonicas by younger people, 
using SPAH as the shining light.

But here I have to speak up because, in spite of my immense respect for 
Richard as a player and a person, plus the fact that I have no doubts 
whatever about his sincerity in his constructive criticism and in fact 
agree with him in many respects, this is one colossally bad idea.

To me, one of the magical things abut SPAH is the very fact that players 
of all abilities from rank beginner to seasoned pro rub elbows for the 
entire festival. I've never felt any sort of elitism or separatism 
whatever at a SPAH or any other harmonica festival. I very firmly 
believe that creating any sort of hierarchical or stratified structure 
to the meeting would do much to destroy one if its best features.

At least that's the way I see it.

Michelle