The Three Criteria

Have you ever heard of The Three Criteria Rubric? I believe this prevailing wisdom comes from the musician community deciding whether to take gigs or not. But it certainly applies to the traveling Orff Workshop teacher. 

 

In considering any offer, one should take into account these three things:

 

1.    Work. 

2.    People. 

3.    Money. 

 

• If the offer promises 2 out of 3—good work and people or good people and money or good work and money—take the job. 

• If 3 out of 3, lucky you! 

• If 1 out of 3, not worth it. 

 

You might add “Location” to the above, especially if the job lands you close to other places that will offer you yet more work. Or if it’s a place on your bucket list and you can leave some time for tourism. Or if you’re freezing north of the equator and the work is south of the equator. 

 

In these respects, my upcoming three weeks in Brazil is a winner— 3 ½ out of 4! 

 

I always love the teaching work, no matter who or where and with seven short courses with different themes, this promised to be especially rich. 

 

Having met a couple of hundred Brazilian musicians, dancers, teachers in courses I’ve offered in California, Spain, Salzburg, Ghana and three times in Brazil, I love these people! Great musicians and dancers, creative and thinking teachers, fun people to play and hang out with, they are the perfect candidates for everything I care about in the Orff approach. Well-educated in all subjects, well-trained in European classical music and Afro-Brazilian music and socially intelligent born from long hours spent socializing in cafes, restaurants, music clubs and more. They come into the workshop room bubbling with energy and humor, jump in immediately with both feet playing, singing, dancing, creating together and leave the room with yet more energy and humor having bonded deeper with the activities. My kind of people!

 

As for location, quite happy to be shedding my jeans and jacket for shorts and my new Tivas, my summer in January. Already loving the tropical drinks and fabulous simple restaurants with a smorgasbord of impressive food where you’re charged by the weight. Each dish the same price unit, so you don’t have to fuss over which temptation costs more than any other. 

 

And I’ll teach in two new cities this trip—Tatui and Brasilia—as well as re-unite with Sao Paulo and Rio. And all of this close to Carnaval time, so for an extra bonus, there’s a good chance I can see a couple of rehearsals. 

 

The money is the ½ point, not because the folks aren’t generous but their economy has taken quite a beating lately and everyone’s suffering from the change in value. So while almost a perfect score, getting paid less for a few (not all) of the venues is not the least bit problematic. Especially with the pleasures of those other three. 

 

It's now 2:00 pm after a red-eye flight where everything went so smoothly. Three pretty good movies, a little girl next to me who didn’t take up much room, walked straight to the immigration desk after landing without having had to fill out a single piece of paper or screen questions. The smiling man said, “Welcome! You’re here for vacation, yes?” “Exactly!” I replied and he stamped my passport and sent me happily on my way. Both bags came quickly, my new host Uira was waiting for me outside baggage claim and off we went to lunch. Now in my hotel ready for an afternoon nap. 

 

But first, some photos of the food set-up mentioned above, my obligation to you, the armchair traveler. Viva Brazil!