PUSD Student Musicians Get Pointers from Professionals

Members of Marshall’s Orchestra getting valuable feedback from professional composer and conductor, Richard Meyer.

There’s nothing quite like practicing with pros. Student musicians had an opportunity to get pointers from professionals at PUSD’s 2023 Adjudicated Music Festivals last week. Middle and high school students performed with a choir, band, or orchestra and then received constructive feedback from professional musicians. Composer/director Richard Meyer, who taught at PUSD for 11 years and conducted the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for over 16 years, says the festival allows students to hear other groups play and to perform in a large auditorium. One key benefit – getting input from someone who is going to “tell it like it is” while at the same time allowing students to discover on their own and work in harmony with a group.

“My main approach is a climate of discovery. I let the students find things out for themselves,” Mr. Meyer said.

He also noted that PUSD provides music class as part of the school day, not just as a club after school. Starting in third grade, all students get instrumental music instruction as part of the school day. For more information on PUSD music programs, click here.