MY TEACHING MOBILITY AT THE MUSIC ACADEMY IN CETINJE: Goran Marinković, Faculty of Music

Goran Marinković

University of Arts, Faculty of Music

Erasmus+ Mobility for teaching at

University of Montenegro, Music Academy in Cetinje

In the period from April 23rd to April 29th 2023, I taught undergraduate and master’s students the subject Chamber Music, for a total of 11 hours. The class was attended by colleagues who teach the same subject in Montenegro – Žana Lekić Marinković, full professor and Nataša Popović, full professor and vice dean for teaching at the Music Academy of the University of Montenegro.

The ensembles at the chamber music classes included: brass quintet (3 trumpets and two trombones), chamber trio (two violins and piano), guitar quartet, quartet (flute, violin, ciontrabass, piano), trio (flute, violin, piano) , quartet (violin, viola, cello, piano) and trio (clarinet, violin, piano).

The content of the lessons was: interpretation of characteristic interpretive problems within chamber ensembles, definition of possible solutions within the framework of interpretation, mastering of the elements of the musical text with emphasis on the timbre and volume characteristics of various musical instruments of standard and non-standard chamber ensembles, structuring the interpretation of a chamber piece of music which is in direct depending on the intonation conformity of the ensemble members and the ability to maintain stable meter and tempo, leveling of dynamics, tempo and volume of the ensemble, unity in breathing, knowledge of the musical style, character and form of the musical piece, self-control of the individual, control within the framework of the group, continuous engagement and continuity in work of chamber ensemble. The aforementioned elements are a prerequisite for a successful interpretation of a chamber music piece and represent the task and goal of chamber music teaching.

During my stay at the Music Academy of the University of Montenegro, I contacted and held discussions with subject professors of chamber music as well as the Dean of the Music Academy – Tatjana Krkeljić, professor of wind instrument teaching methodology. The conclusion of the conversation was that we all agree that for the top interpretation of a chamber music piece a well-designed methodological approach is necessary when structuring and preparing a chamber music concert. We also talked about the way of thinking about the sonority of musical instruments, their role in a chamber ensemble and profiled articulation, intonation correction and solutions – harmony in chamber ensembles in which wind and string instruments are represented with or without a piano, the level of preparation and dexterity of the individuals who play in the chamber ensemble, as well as the balance of the musicians in the complete soundscape.

During my stay I had the opportunity to be a member of the jury at the Republic Competition of students of wind musical instruments. In addition, I participated in the general rehearsal of the Cantata Apollo and Daphne by G. F. Handel composed for soprano, baritone and chamber ensemble at the Royal Theater Zetski dom in Cetinje. I attended the concert performance of this project in Budva on April 28th, 2023.

Connecting and exchanging experience through teaching students, as well as conversations with them and colleagues, is the main benefit of my stay. The reaction of the students I taught as well as the professor of chamber music at the Music Academy in Cetinje shows that the lessons I gave are valuable for their further work and advancement.