Various

L Mendes pages - emails page

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LM sent this by post to arrive on 18 Feb.

The rest of this page = emails.

The most significant email was sent to LM on 14 Feb as follows

Laurance

Thanks for your reply.

The main request was for a course programme. Supporting that there was the request for an introduction to each session giving further detail of what is to come. These are fundamental to any education process.

I have spent more than half of a long career being responsible for the work of teachers and lecturers and have written hundreds of critiques.

I would be grateful for you to confirm that you are not prepared to meet the requests.

BWs

Alan

17 Feb from LM

Our e-mail exchange and our three course sessions indicate that you are not right for this course.

As a gesture of goodwill, if you e-mail me your address as soon as possible, or within 24 hours of this e-mail at the latest, I offer you the £42.00 back for the remaining 7 sessions.

Please include who the cheque would be payable to, and I will send it recorded delivery so that I have a receipt.

This would finally and absolutely complete your time as a student on this course with no further correspondence.

I will contact other students re their new transport arrangements for getting to and from the course.

Please do not attend any further sessions.

I wish you all the best in finding a suitable course to assist your learning.

15 Feb from LM

Thank you for your e-mail of 14th February 2014.

You are on this course as a student, not as an assessor, a critiquer, or observer. It’s not ok for any student to play that role on the course.

These are my thoughts.

Your musical history and musical requirements are what are relevant and how you and each student learn.

I find that I’m spending more time with your requests than with any of the other students.

The key with this type of course, is to enter the spirit of it, and not be so focussed on how education “should” be.

If you dissect a frog, you have two halves of a dead frog, you don’t have a frog anymore. My thoughts on that topic include the notion that the frog was dead before dissection and that science has advanced because people have dissected frogs and philosphy. I haven't sent this to LM.

Let’s look at the Course Programme and structure. I’ve stated in my course invitation that it’s the same as the cancelled college one.

I’ve taken the time to go into the college web-site for you (see below) ((not there)) . and copy the course content aspect. This is yet another an example of LM and tunnel vision.These three pages of mine are devoted to his tunnel vision. The course content aspect was already in front of him on this website here. I have not sent this comment to LM.

However, as courses depend on what instruments and musical styles students prefer, this course unfolds as the course goes on. I teach a fluid, process driven course. Trust is required here, and the course reveals itself as it unfolds.

So if I outline at the beginning of each session what we will do, and the group energy changes that we move in another direction like the flow of the river analogy that I used, then a student could say that we didn’t do what was stated.

I appreciate that that may be difficult for someone who wishes to know ahead what we will do, and then be unhappy if some of those things are not covered (they’re usually just moved to the next session), but I’m not prepared to state a list of what we’re going to do and then find that the group energy goes in another direction. An extremely weak argument. I haven't sent this to LM.

I have stated that we’ll practise concert songs, have music critiques, and do the “Course Content,” that should be plenty. Ditto

In addition I’ve clearly outlined that we could have an end of course concert which everyone agreed too, that we’d use a sequence of rhythm, melody, and harmony, and that we’d have individual music critiques for those students who wished

it. There are more ways to teach than just one, and it’s only by week 2 or week 3 that you discover exactly who you have in the class, and what they really require.

I sense that the best way is for me to introduce each aspect of a session just before we do it.

I am not prepared to enter any further, long e-mails re structure or content, only occasional short ones.

I would like to hear you on Tuesday please, playing the chanter on “Piper to the End,” if you can please? I’ve tried finding it through all of your links, but couldn’t.

I’m happy to play your CD track that we missed at your critique on Tuesday evening when we may or may not practise every concert song, and there will be other projects too.

Could you please let go of your career history and be a student, with some reasonable student requests on the course please?

I’d like this question answered to the best of your ability please?

I note that you haven’t answered some of my other points in my last e-mail. I will take it that you accept those points.

My reply 15 Feb

Laurance

Beginning with your comment:

"I note that you haven’t answered some of my other points in my last e-mail. I will take it that you accept those points."

I haven't accepted those points and might deal with them at some other time.

Let's see how the Tuesday session goes.

I can't see or hear a chanter part in Piper to the end. If there were, I would need music in the scale shown here and here

Re your comments : "I’m happy to play your CD track that we missed at your critique on Tuesday evening"

I think it's better to drop the topic.

BWs

Alan

14 Feb from LM

Thank you for your e-mail of 13th February 2014. I appreciate your passion for music and how important it is to you.

I do not believe that your subject header is true. A few years ago when I first created basic general music evening classes, there were some middle-aged to mature men who wished to bring bluegrass to a course.

On this current course, there were two retired people who were very keen, but for various reasons are looking to do the next music course that I do instead. This course caters for those who come on it, and if there are a majority of younger ones, then that is the way it is. Vice-versa it could have been a majority of more mature students.

It’s stated in the college details about this course ( in the invitation re this course it mentions that it’s the same course as the college one would have been), that students would need to respect and appreciate other students musical preferences even if they are different than their own. It’s not one to one learning which is far more expensive, so I try equally to give time to each students musical styles.

Re Bizzy’s attendence at the course, there are other possibilities for her being collected and returned if you were unable to do so.

Yes re the critique, I should have found time to play your cd. My error and it could easily be played at our next session at the beginning. I noticed during your critique, that you twice asked me to ask you questions, so I focussed on that to

appease that wish.

Re “Potiphar,” I enjoyed listening to it, but new that it would not fit our concert venue sadly. We may well be able to find time to play it during the course if you have it on CD, after half-term perhaps and after all students have had a track played?

Already I had offered you a chanter bagpipe solo, a flamenco guitar solo, a uke duet with Karyn, and “Me and Bobby McGee,” and I chose you first re the music critique to really hear more about your music. I included your uke even

though in our first connections, you’d said you played pipes and flamenco. I didn’t know uke too.

Re “I had proposed to describe the range of music of interest and include something which might be nearer to members' taste.”. You mean your range of music? As mentioned you put the onus on me asking you questions, which I did, so didn’t know you had it in mind to do this.

Please be aware that on these courses, I find that it doesn’t really work to state at the outset of each session exactly what we’ll be doing. I have an outline, but like a river things change, they flow, so we move with that, and hopefully catch

up on anything that we’ve missed another time.

Re Caroline’s critique, she’s done my other courses before, and we’re in a club together. I’ve taught evening classes in the arts for over ten years, two out of three of my last college observations were “outstanding,” the other good, and for a few years I’ve had a huge number of students give me “outstanding” for aspects of my courses. I find you critical of my teaching. I invite you to enter into the spirit of the course with less of how I should do it, to work on the pieces that

we’ve agreed, and have a victory via our concert, if you’re able and willing to do this.

With “Me and Bobby McGee,” your voice volume wise was fine with the guitar, but the banjo/uke that you used, without running it by me, drowned your voice. There was also an “A” chord that was incorrect. I sang because there was a

need to strengthen the vocals. The way it is re the concert that we all agreed to go for, is that normally the person suggesting the song has the focus. But as the “conductor” with an overview of all of the songs, and who may play what on each song, I have the final decision. You can embody that male country spirit of Kristofferson. It’s best if you sing McGee with guitar or as quiet as possible banjo/uke, with others singing the chorus.

No, as yet I haven’t heard the “Piper to the end” link. I will look it up, apologies.

I don’t understand;- “I don’t expect to share and be left with nothing.” I sense that others like and need lyric/chord sheets, so will continue to use them as required.

Re your departure time, I enquired to help you and Bizzy, to ensure that we include your pieces and input before 9pm. I enquired to assist you. I offer an extra half an hour freely from 9pm. I don’t have to, I just do. Maybe that wasn’t clear.

Re a keyboard, we did a brief demo on it, after you left. A keyboard would be useful at probably one other session after half-term. Thank you.

Supposing I had all of the other students e-mailing me like you have, stating exactly what they want firmly. It would not be possible to do everything that they wanted.

I will continue teaching in a way that is natural to me and receive and take on respectful feedback by e-mail or at classes. If someone offers an idea that I have to thankfully say no, I will do so. Every student is equal on this course, and these courses are for whoever attends, and their musical preferences irrespective of age. With all this in mind, if it’s right for you, please give it some thought, and let me know your way forward. Like all students, you’re welcome if you follow the guidelines.

12 Feb from LM

Do you need to leave just before 9pm at every session please? Just so I know and can invite you to do pieces that you may well perform in before that time.

Re “Me and Bobby McGee,” I’d like to hear you being the lead singer as your voice is the nearest to Kristofferson. You sing it well and it means one more lead singer in our concert.

The challenge was the change of instrument, only because the banjo/uke is louder than the guitar and your voice is not loud. I preferred it with the guitar as you embodied the country essence, and it’s a man’s song to sing as Bobby is a

lady I sense. If it had to be done with the banjo uke, I suggest the instrument played as softly as possible and very little other instrumentation so your voice would come through.

I have an overview and some developed ideas re other students singing more, and many students haven’t performed much, and time is limited. From years of experience I’m taking that and other factors into account.

So could we please try your singing Bobby McGee again next week, and I’m keen to see whether you’ve been able to do anything with the melody of “Piper to the End” on the chanter?

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8 Feb from LM

The uke chord shapes are incredibly useful to me.

I can print my own copy this time and one for Karyn too. She’s the only other student that plays the ukelele that I know of.

Please don’t bring a small scan and copier on Tuesday, we have a great deal to cover and are not at the stage yet that we have many lyric and chord sheets ready to copy.

It’s a good point to think on and I’ll bring some copies of “Me and Bobby McGee” for students who are playing on that song.

We may well nee your printer in future.

We now have enough songs, too many for our concert already.

You’re down to do a flamenco guitar solo, a bagpipe solo, and a ukelele duet with Karyn if that’s easy and natural. And “Me and Bobby McGee” too. Uke may well fit on a couple of the other songs too, we’ll see.

I’ve listened to Potiphar, the opera version, can’t find a ukelele version. If you wish to do it as the bagpipe solo, or uke duet (only if it’s easy for Karyn to do), then great, otherwise there’s no space to do it this time.

I’ve had to cut two of my pieces, my blues, and some mandolin jigs, and cut a suggestion from another student too.

Thanks once again for the chord shapes, they’re great, and I plan a workshop on chords and which ones go together for Tuesday evening already, that’s between us, but very likely to happen.

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1 Feb from LM

Thanks for your 2 emails.

We have 7 more sessions to practise and we will set up theatre style seating so that students can perform to us. No need for extra venues to practise.

We will look to balance the volume of instruments nearer the time. It may not be that we have a lot of people sitting in rows in front of us, it may be more informal with pub regulars, and whoever we can muster.

Absolutely great that you can perform as requested. Brill. Re doing a uke duet with Karyn, it was just my fun idea. If one comes up naturally great.

When you say you've given her the tune, do you mean Amazing Grace? The reason I feel strongly about doing that song as a pipe solo, is because of the words which may not well work in a pub, with words like grace and wretch, so instrumental only please. Im thinking of our audience.

Finally, im keen for all students to be clear, that im the "conductor" of the band, so as requested all ideas to be shared with me first.

Im so pleased for all of the enthusiasm re this course.

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28 Jan from LM

I‘m looking to feature one student tonight, could it be you please?

You would need to play your pipes and guitar again, do Bobby McGee and see what we could fit around it, speak about your love of music in depth more, and if you have a CD with one of your favourite tracks to share, that would be great too.

It would be most useful, around 15 mins total, the time goes fast.

Please think about it, and let me know.

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16 Jan from LM

I’d like to invite you to the fifth Sunbrella Music Forum Essential Basic General Music Appreciation Course (the third in Herefordshire). A ten week course for £60 per person at Yarkhill Village Hall (directions below) on 10 Tuesday evenings between 21st January and 15th April 2014, 7.00pm – 9.00pm.

Last year Herefordshire college cancelled this course due to lack of numbers, this year I understand yesterday that 7 signed up, but 8 were required.

Last year I delivered 2 successful music courses at Yarkhill Village Hall, where we don’t need to worry about making a noise, it’s a great atmosphere for music,

it’s warm, (I disagree) has free parking, a kitchen that we can use, toilets, a blackboard and other features. Each student will need to sign a disclaimer re accidents during the course at the outset, and payment would be by cheque to me (Mr L Mendes), You’ll receive a receipt via e-mail by return or a printed copy by request (other means of payment are possible). Health and safety are key to my courses, and I’ve a City and Guilds 7407 teaching certificate, a Certificate of Education, and a Criminal Records Disclosure. I’ve been teaching evening classes for over 10 years. I’m passionate about music and envisage our having great fun learning together. The whole course outline is in place. it’s the same course as the cancelled HLC one.

Please bring your main instrument to begin with, and your ideas and requirements are welcome on this course. I would be delighted if you could buy into this, we could have a victory together, but I do need most to attend for it to work. This course at HLC is only planned once a year. I am excited about this. Thank you, and any questions, please contact me. We may look at lift sharing if it’s natural.

Laurance Mendes

21a Linton Court, Bromyard, Herefordshire, HR7 4QJ,- Mobile 07989 139079.

PS You’re welcome to bring your own tea/coffee/biscuits to any session.

PPS Yarkhill Village Hall, HR1 3ST, Grid reference 520519N 023507W. On the A4103

between Shucknall and Newtown crossroads, there’s a sign for the hall.