The Big Ears Olympics

A contest in the form of a ‘game show’ that challenges high school or college level students in the subjects of music theory and musical aural perception. It can be a culminating event after an extensive week of Performance Ear Training workshops.

Donovan Mixon
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The Big Ears Olympics was conceived and produced by Donovan Mixon as an annual event at
Berklee College of Music. 

It ran for three consecutive years. 

The B.E.O. can serve as a culminating event after an extensive week of Performance Ear Training workshops.
It is a wonderful melding of musical skill and intellect with sheer goofy fun.It’s a highly entertaining and educational enterprise.


HOW IT WORKS

Teams are created from:

·      Particular teacher's classes i.e. Mr. Sanders’ class vs Mrs Green etc.
·      Classes of specific hours i.e. 2pm class vs 4:30 class
·      Organizations i.e. jazz band vs concert band, choir, pep band etc..

1.    Before the end of the week of workshops, interested teams would take an ear training comprised of recognizing, intervals, chords, progressions, melodic dictation etc..

2.    The 4 – 8 highest scorers in each group get to compete.

3.    The B.E.O. takes place on stage. There will be a live band (to play the examples), one podium for each team, an M.C., judges, point keepers and sundry effects to create a festive atmosphere... (more)






  • HOME*
  • Recordings
    • Video
    • Reviews
  • Donovan's Garage
  • Solo Artist
  • MEDIA
  • Resume
    • PDF Pro documents
  • Modern Jazz Quartet
  • TRIO BIEN
  • New Page
  • Featured Video
  • DMIX AFRO LATINO QUINTET
  • DMIX ECM
  • AACM 60TH