Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • June 2014
8
great interest to me. It stems from hearing an interview
a while back with the late Russell Ackoff of the U. of
Pennsylvania in which he made a couple of statements
that really caught my ear. “What is the worst way
to learn?” he asked. The answer: putting a bunch of
people in a room and having someone stand up in
front and talk to them. Then he asked, “What’s the best
way to learn?” By teaching someone else. “Of course,”
I thought. Who among us hasn’t felt, especially in the
early years that we learned more than the students?
I’ve tried with various groups in various ways to put
this idea into practice. My conclusion? It works! And
the kids have great fun doing it.
I hope this is enough. I’d first thought I should offer
a little biographical information, but decided against it
because it smacks a bit too much of narcissism. (Let it
be known that I go to great lengths never to even come
close to a reflecting pool.)
See you in San Antonio!
Lessons Learned