Master Class: Brass & Babies: A Peanut Butter & “JAM” Session

The emphasis during this late-afternoon, final-day session held in the beautiful atrium of the Werner Recital Hall was on “Jam”. As the scheduled moderator was unable to attend, session participants and Mary Judge, the one available panelist, contributed to the free improvisation “Jam” feel. Mary, a single mother of three, Principal Librarian for the Cincinnati Symphony, and composer of one of the fanfares performed on the Monarch Brass final concert, began the jam session. She offered insight into the fascinating tale of her twins which were born to her at the age of 51 through the process of in-vitro fertilization. We then talked about having children as a single woman at an older age. It is imperative to find a compatible, supportive ob/gyn. who can aid a woman in readying herself for what can be a long and arduous process. We then discussed the remarkable new procedures available for women outside of the “normal” maternity age, including Mary’s success in the field of in-vitro fertilization. Her twins were a welcome sight at the conference, and living proof that belief in oneself and persistence reap wonderful rewards!

The conversation then progressed to how/if pregnancy affects brass players and their performance. Surprisingly, no one present had actually been in that condition while maintaining a demanding performance schedule, but examples were cited of people that had. The only consistent concern was thay in later stages of pregnancy, the amount of available lung capacity decreases, making normal-sized inhalations impossible. Even so, it was discussed that while taking into consideration playing demands, this rarely presented a major challenge and could often be dealt with fairly easily – breathe more often! Like so many issues related to pregnancy, it is different for everyone. After having children, it was agreed there was absolutely no difference in playing capabilities.

Another subject mentioned was the treatment of mothers, both single and otherwise, by co-workers and employers. It was determined that the attitude of the mother sets the tone for how the pregnancy/child is accepted.

Maintaining professionalism and keeping a degree of distance between home and workplace issues allows the integrity of the workplace to remain undisturbed, and doesn’t make co-workers experience the impact of a new parent’s topsy-turvy life. This was said to help ensure continued employment – especially in freelance situations.

This maternal jam session followed a harmonious groove as those with anything pertinent to add stepped up to the plate, and we all ate heartily of the crumbs of experience and shared knowledge. It was a very open and thought-provoking seminar into an issue, which by its very nature is unique to women, and thouroughly appropriate for IWBC! It is now time to celebrate the dialogue that has begun into the relevant issues surrounding women of the new millenium!

Submitted by Judith Saxton Principal Trumpet, Wichita Symphony Assistant Professor of Trumpet, Wichita State University