Definition of a "Maestro"

[cutthroatbob]

Check-out www.usfca.org

Get a little educated people.....

[Moonitic]

I see we have a troll in our midst. Out to cause trouble by insulting everyone. Aren't they cute?

Anyway...thanks again, gang.

[space_cadet]

To latenight,
Not all maestros ask their students to be called maestro. However, they usually like to add that title (or maitre) when representing themselves and their clubs to the public in print to provide some credibility.

[latenight]

And that's cool. I'm just saying I would rather die than be a coach and be called "maestro" by my students. That's just me.

[cutthroatbob]

Now who is insulting who, troll. I guess I would have to be trolling around if hanging out with people like this. What weapon do you prefer boy.....

[Moonitic]

Last I checked, I wasn't a boy. Men don't give birth. Been there, done that myself. I like being a woman. What weapon? The one you don't have if you feel you need to harass people you don't know for no reason: a brain.

Now, to do what one should do to children who have temper tantrums...Ignore them!

Troll: 1. One who posts on message boards just to cause trouble. 2. See "cutthroatbob"

[sabreuse]

With all due respect, Moonitic, what exactly was the purpose of your topic to begin with? You said you already knew the definition of "maestro" and went on to complain about "certain people" in your division adopting the title when they shouldn't. Sounds to me like you were trying to stir something up. (See analogies about pots and kettles...)

[Moonitic]

Sabre, if you want to know, you can speak to me privately. And no, I wasn't trying to "stir" anything up.


In other AWESOME news...tonight I had my first lesson with Maestro Shapiro. He's truly wonderful. I never had so much fun taking a lesson!

[angel]

Isn't "Maestro" a musical term given to the conductor of an orchestra?

I wasn't aware there was a ranking system in fencing. How does it work? How far up on the scales can you go? Why doesn't the USFA have information on its website on this topic?

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Angelo

[mango fever]

are all conductors Maestro? we'd better ask someone who speaks the italian language, because i think it's an italian word.

[vegan]

Mango,
No . . . It means the same thing in conductors as it does in fencing coaches- A conductor who has achived a certain amount of skill and reputation, as well as education equal to a masters degree.
Cheers.
B.
Ps. at least that was the impression the conducting teacher in college gave me when
I took the class!!

[angel]

Somebody should get William Gaulger in on this post. He teaches the Italian fencing system at the San Jose College in California so I am sure he would know for sure.

Which has me thinking...are there any fencers out there that use an Italian system of fencing? I am not just talking about the foil, I am also talking about the strategy and tactics.

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Angelo

[HilandDoug]

Here is a story of one of, if not the first, American born Maestros:
http://home.att.net/~glswords/page2.html

It has a lot of information relevent to this post. Please read this, as it is about one heck of a guy: Charlie Schmitter.

[Christopher J Umbs]

Angel,

Classical Italian foil, sabre and spada are taught at the Martinez Academy as well as historical Italian smallsword, rapier and sidesword. We often have guest teachers like M. Sinclair or M. Macdonald teach Italian longsword.

Dr. Gaugler was the director for the fencing masters program at San Jose State. At one point, masters (and they call themselves 'Military Masters at Arms' as opposed to Maestros or Maitres) from this program were recognized by the USFCA and the USFA, but I think that is no longer the case.

Chris

[mango fever]

european fencing has european traditions that should be kept in the game, i like the word maestro better than sensei for a number of reasons: 1. it's european 2. maestro means a level of mastery 3. sensei means teacher, and therefore anyone can really be called a teacher 4. there's a guy who called himself sensei for over 30 years and really he was nothing more than a cult leader.

[Moonitic]

In Japan, not "everyone" can be called a teacher. The term of respect is for those who have earned the title in their respective field.

[Clean Touch]

Originally posted by angel:
Which has me thinking...are there any fencers out there that use an Italian system of fencing? I am not just talking about the foil, I am also talking about the strategy and tactics.

I had to take a two-year break from fencing (college, marriage, first kid, etc.) so I took to reading and studying what I could to keep my mind in the game. One o the books I really got into was Nadi's On Fencing. Consequently, people say I have an Italian style/flair to my fencing (posture, attitude, strategy, tactics, etc.) Although I'll be the firtst to tell you I've never had fomral Italian training, nor would I really care to try the italian grip. (Nice design, but i'm not swilling to spend the $$$ on one. )

But that's probably not what you were fishing for, was it angel?


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Est-ce que l'attaque etait bon? Mais Oui!!

[mango fever]

then the term sensei is overused, it's used indiscriminately all over the place, while maestro is seldom if ever used. So why doens't anyone use the term maestro?

[neevel]

Because so far as fencing is concerned, "Maestro" does specifically mean someone who's earned a Maestro di Scherma degree. To do so otherwise would be sort of like using the term "Doctor" even though you don't have a Ph.D. or M.D. degree (or aren't an eccentric Gallifreyan roamer ).

-Dave

[Moonitic]

Thank you, Dave. Once again, you rock.