Welcome to JMArts “1-Minute Reads,” quick takes on vital topics in the arts! We’re answering common questions and giving informed perspectives on how the arts work at Jordan-Matthews High School and beyond with occasional “1-Minute Reads” from arts experts around the school, community, state and nation. Each one takes just 60 seconds to read. They’re published on JMArts social media and archived here.
Let us know if you have an idea for a focused, short and succinct “1-Minute Read”!
Why Critics Are Important
October 4, 2023
Great art is not a lecture. It is a conversation that starts with an artist — painter, dancer, rocker, actor — who LIVES to say something. But how do we measure the importance, the vitality, the beauty, of what artists say if we don’t have someone whose job it is to respond?
We have social media, for sure, and that provides one kind of emphatic set of quick replies. The voice of a critic, though, who comes to a work of art with a depth of knowledge and, hopefully, a talent for conveying what they’ve experienced, remains a key ingredient in the process.
As well as offering an opinion, supportive or not so supportive, a critic is a witness to cultural history. We need people who can make readers feel they were in the theater or the gallery or the concert hall with them — not only for now, but for posterity. The performing arts, in particular, are ephemeral. Most performances are not recorded. So it is often up to the critic to be the arts world’s historian.
A trusted critic, too, can be a catalyst for a budding career: very few artists have advanced in any field without someone having gone to bat for them in a review at some point. Many of those assessed by critics claim not to read their reviews. That’s fine. But the rest of the world does — directly or by osmosis. The energy of a professional critic’s endorsement is fuel for artistic endeavor. And the more professional critics there are, the richer our lively arts can be.
PETER MARKS
Theater Critic, The Washington Post
Threads: @peterjmarks
#JMA1min
Why Become a JMArts Scholar?
September 6, 2023
Thanks to JMArts, I have had the privilege of attending the UNCG Summer Music Camp for two consecutive summers and my experience has been instrumental in the growth of my musical ability.
This camp helped me connect with music in an emotional way, rather than just playing a correct note on the staff, and hearing how my individual sound fit in with a big ensemble was unlike anything I have ever encountered. This taught me the importance of balancing and blending that I will definitely keep applying in my music career.
The talented instructors at UNCG helped me develop my skills to become the best musician possible. I have also gotten to meet so many incredible people at camp who are just as passionate about music as I am!
Being a JMArts Scholar is an incredible opportunity and I am so thankful for everything I have learned because of this program.
KARSYN VANN
JMArts Scholar, Musician, Actor and High School Senior
#JMA1min
What’s a Jazz Chart?
August 4, 2023
A “jazz chart” is a broad term used in jazz to refer to written music — much like the term “sheet music.” It could be as little as an indication of specific chord progressions — which is a sequence of harmony that intends to provoke the listener — or as much as a lead sheet, which is a sheet of chords that a soloist uses as a reference when soloing.
Jazz charts give soloists a structure to follow when performing. Jazz charts feature chords that guide the soloist, as well as melodic material to reference from. These traits grant the soloist freedom to improvise, while also maintaining the “vibe” of the chart. Some common charts include “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington, “Bye Bye Blackbird” by Miles Davis“ and so much more.
AARON PARTIN
Musician and Band Teacher
#JMA1min
Why Community Theatre?
July 20, 2023
The value of theatre is in its live presentation of the comedy and drama of human life. The value of *community* theatre is in its ability to bring that experience to all of us. When the cashier from your local store stands on the stage before you as Maria von Trapp, you feel the magic. Your own child might be pulling the curtain. Anyone of us gets the chance to use our talents and skills to create that experience. Artistic and technical skills are employed alongside folks who just show up to help.
Theatre creates community. We become like a family. Audiences also enjoy the spirit of returning to experience that human drama; it’s live, right in front of them. In community theatre we know that artistic expression is not merely for professionals. It belongs to the community.
GREG BURRISS
Actor, Musician and Social Studies Teacher
Twitter: @IamGWB
#JMA1min
Musicals: Paying for Permission
July 10, 2023
When we choose a musical (or play) to perform, we purchase rights. That means the composer, lyricist and bookwriter get paid for their work, and producers who put up money for the original show get some return on their investment. The licensing company uses our venue size, ticket price and number of performances to set that fee.
For JM productions, rights for a Broadway show can range from $1,600 to $2,300. But we also must pay to rent scripts and music scores; that’s usually around $1,000. And if we use recorded performance tracks, that’s another $750.
While that’s a lot of money, it’s important to do two things. First, obey the law! Putting on a show without paying the fees means serious legal trouble. Second, pay the creators! Lin-Manuel Miranda worked on “In the Heights” for almost 10 years, and that’s not an unusual amount of time before a show makes it to Broadway. To even have theatre, the people who dream it — and create it — must be paid.
ROSE PATE
President, JMArts
Twitter: @rosetpate
#JMA1min