An outstanding example – Michael Trotta

Conductor Micheal Trotta tried something new to learn about his students–he interviewed them all. 

Instead of spending a semester or more to learn everyone’s name, Trotta decided to interview every student. The process took a couple of weeks but his efforts paid off. “It’s impossible to get to know students in a large group that meets for 50 minutes three days a week,” Trotta said recently. “It’s tough to get a handle on what they’re passionate about.

 

The interviews were a great way to get feedback from them, to hear them talk about how the group might move forward. “When you take that approach, the students become more invested in what we’re trying to accomplish.

 

One thing I learned was that the singers like spending time together outside of rehearsals. With student-led activities, I can handle the musical part and they can do the other.”