“Opportunity looks a lot like hard work.” -Steve Jobs That sounds like something he’d say, right? Except that he didn’t, the actor playing him said that. “Opportunity looks a lot like hard work.” – Ashton Kutcher Yes, Ashton Kutcher. I went to see Jobs the other day (with my amazing wife) and I was a bit leary of Kutcher’s portrayal of one of the greatest thinkers … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Books, Covers, and Opportunity
While at Grade 10 Band Camp, the chaperones (all of whom were educators) were discussing the trials of teaching and one of them said something that I haven’t forgotten: What really troubles me isn’t when they don’t get the material, but when they resist it. If they’re trying, then they’ll get it eventually, but when they resist it, they will always miss the beauty. That’s what is really … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – When They Miss the Beauty
So, I’m reading a book that’s blowing my mind. It’s called The Curse of the Good Girl and it’s by Rachel Simmons. I’ve had it on my book shelf for about three years – I bought it in the same shopping trip as The Purity Myth, which also blew my mind. Clearly, this was a good day at the bookstore. The Curse of the Good … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – The Double Bind of Truth-Telling
Strolling along the edge of the sea, a man catches sight of a young woman who appears to be engaged in a ritual dance. She stoops down, then straightens to her full height, casting her arm out in an arc. Drawing closer, he sees that the beach around her is littered with starfish, and she is throwing them one by one into the sea. He … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – The Starfish Story
I stopped complaining about how busy I was a long time ago because I realized that I wasn’t really as busy as most people, especially parents… and especially moms. I have no kids to drive to soccer practice, I have no lunches to make, I have very little laundry to do (comparatively), I enjoy my job, I have an easy commute… Organizationally, my life is … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – The Space Between
But the most important lesson to be learned about calling parents at home to praise the achievements of their children is that those calls are actually more effective. The student comes into class the next day with a lighter step, a brighter smile, and usually more of the same wonderfulness that prompted me to call home the night before. – Taylor Mali “What Teachers Make” … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Good News Calls
We used to have this whiteboard at the front of our room, but then we got this incredible SMARTBoard. It’s an enormous touchscreen monitor that’s rigged up to our iMac. It’s like Star Trek, the future is now 🙂 … But then what were we going to do with this old whiteboard? Well, we just put it off to the side on, really, the only … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – The Inspiration Board
So, Spring Break is done and we’re back to real life now. Teachers reading, I hope that you’ve had some chance to rest; students reading, welcome back 🙂 About two weeks before, we went to the Brandon Jazz Festival in Brandon, MB, Canada. The playing is fabulous and the clinics are usually good (like any festival, some clinics are good and others… not so), but … Continue reading Music Ed Mondays – They Just Aren’t Scared
The strangest thing happened on Friday night: I went to “Indie Game: The Movie” and was emotionally moved. I mean, really emotionally. I had to go home and journal after watching the movie, it was that profound. If you don’t know of IGTM, then watch the trailer below and read up on it. There were only two screenings in Winnipeg and both were sold out – … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – Allow Yourself To Be Moved
Good afternoon! Here is another essay from a Grade 11 Fundamentals of Music student describing her relationship with Music. It’s very personal (but I have her permission to post it) and that’s its greatest strength: It’s authentic. This reminds me how lucky I am to teach Music to young adults who are invested in this collaborative effort. But while the ensemble is collaborative, there are individual rewards 🙂 … Continue reading Music Ed Monday – A Flute Player’s Relationship With Music
