Music Is Not for Insects

I recently commented over on Steve’s blog with a recommendation on proper care and feeding of the

beginning percussionist. My advice was to read “Teaching Music with Purpose” by Petter Loel Boonshaft. I’m actually on vacation right now and made a promise to my family that I wouldn’t open the lap top and do any blogging….BUT this book is just too good not to share with the music ed community.  The percussion chapter alone was so full of practical advice, it could stand alone as it’s own book.

As I prepare to start at a new school this fall with a different grade level (more about that later…)

this book keeps giving me such great advice for the classroom and my conducting health. Here is an excerpt that hit home with me:

We need to protect ourselves from damage, especially from wear and tear caused by our conducting…now you may say to yourself, “I’m in great shape and I work out twelve hours a day; this can’t happen to me!” Or, “I am only twenty-three years old; that is only something that happens to older folks.” Wrong! I know many young conductors whose ailments began very early in their teaching careers, and many very athletic people whose exercise regimens, though wonderful for some aspects of life, do nothing to aid these specific problems.

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