Whether it be a jazz trio, a string quartet, a concert choir, a classic rock band, or simply 2 people playing guitar together in a park, they are all using their entire brain engaged in that activity. First and foremost, they are actively LISTENING to each other intently while they are playing their own instruments. They respond to the slightest changes in dynamics, tempos, and pitch subconsciously. They know their ROLE in what they are performing. Some have the LEAD role playing the melody, others have SUPPORTING roles playing harmony or establishing the pulse. The jazz trio may be IMPROVISING within a loose framework, the string quartet may be TRANSLATING the written page, and the classic rock band may be playing from a long setlist MEMORIZED. Each musician can perform these amazing feats by PRACTICING their craft on their own. The more they practice, the better their skills and the better the music.
A few years ago, I was told that one of our students who had grown up in our store taking violin lessons, was now working on EV battery technologies in California yet still playing in the community orchestra. I’ve also seen several of our teachers, who are top musicians, move on to the high-tech industry in different roles, though still performing music live.
I’ve hired many musicians in the last two decades to teach private music lessons. If I were hiring for positions in another industry, I would give more weight to an applicant’s other interests like playing in a community orchestra or in a jazz trio, playing on a college sports team, volunteering as a first responder, etc. Anything that shows they have developed skills through dedicated practice and know how to work as a team.
The focus in schools for quite a while has been STEM. I’m encouraged to see more emphasis on STEAM, adding Arts to the mix.