Listen to a conversation between a student and his music performance professor.

P: So Tyler, how's class so far? S: Great. P: Well, your insights and your positive energy have really enhanced our class discussions. S:Thanks. P: Keep it up. Class participation counts for 20% of your grade. S:I'm really into making music, always have been.

P: Wonderful! OK, so I require this initial meeting with each student in my performance classes, because early on, you need to make certain choices. S: Oh? P: Yes! As you know, when taking any music performance course, even this introductory one, students need to join a group and get some performance experience. S: No problem. I audition for a local community group, the Cornwell Orchestra, and I got in.

P: The Cornwell Orchestra? Is Joe Preston still the conductor there? S: Yeah! P: Joe and I did some graduate work together. Maybe I should invite him in as guest speaker this term. S: That'd be cool.

P: Anyway, according to your information form, you play keyboards and drums. What are you playing in the orchestra?

S: Drums, especially kettle drums. I'm one of three musicians in the percussion section.

P: Hmm. Have you made up your mind yet which track to follow? The performance track? Composing? Music Education? S: Music education. P: OK, then maybe instead of a big orchestra, you should consider the university's percussion ensemble. It has about a dozen members and is looking for a few more. S: A group with only percussion instruments?

P: Yes! lots of great pieces have been written for percussion ensembles with all sorts of percussion instruments. S: But musically, would I get the, you know, the full experience? P: As a matter of fact, the percussion ensemble serves as a learning lab of sorts. There's much more freedom to try different instruments and techniques. And there are so many kinds of percussion instruments from Africa, Southeast Asia, all over, like cone shaped bells, claves and steel pans, which you might never get to play in a large orchestra.

S: Never thought about that. P: And familiarity with world music is important, especially for music educators. S: But being in such a small ensemble doesn't seem as, I don't know, important as playing in a full orchestra. Plus the Cornwell Orchestra has some big public performances.

P: I get it. But let me ask What are the chances that you'd be able to try your hand at conducting the Cornwell Orchestra, even conducting a single rehearsal. S: Um. Like zero? P: Exactly. And knowing how to conduct is a requirement for music education majors. S: I see, maybe I can find a way to do both.