Boy that sounds more like a Twitter post…but I just have to tell you I found these computer speakers on sale last night at Target for $10.10. Are they awesome fidelity? No. Will they work fine for a computer? Yes.
And you know that outlet you need for other computer speakers but can’t use them because your computer, monitor, iPod, cell phone charger, etc. is filling every last slot on your power strip? Did I mention they are USB powered? Now I’m your BFF. IDK? Check ‘em out at your local Target.
I’m getting my new classroom ready at my new school to start a new music program here in Seattle…the librarian who is also new in the building, sent out an email asking if anyone wanted an old card catalog cabinet she didn’t need anymore. I jumped at the chance! And now I have a cool cabinet with lots of shelves to store all kinds of goodies: small tools; shakers; claves; reeds; neck straps; metronomes…an organizational paradise!
So if your school library has been updated with all of the books catalogged on an electronic database, ask your librarian what will happen to the old card catalog…
Maybe you have seen the episode where Dwight and Andy from “The Office” are singing together…I believe in that episode, Andy makes the statement to Dwight, “Literally every song is better a capella…name a song…”
This was the inspiration behind a new site called “Better A Cappella”, the Online Index of A Cappella Arrangements. Check out this site to find some really great arrangements for your a cappella ensemble. It’s very easy to navigate and search by artist, title or even voicing. Most of the entries have either mp3 samples or better yet, links to Youtube videos of the song being performed. There are some really fresh arrangements at this site. Check it out!
Take a moment to watch Bobby McFerrin do something so simple yet so profound, you will want to try this with your students.
Bobby McFerrin demonstrates the power of the pentatonic scale, using audience participation, at the event “Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus”, from the 2009 World Science Festival, June 12, 2009.
I need your help. It’s the middle of August and school starts very soon…if you are in the midst of planing, would you consider taking a moment to share how you plan for the year? Do you sit in front of a calendar and start praying? Do you use index cards? Do you have some special software? How do you do it? Be specific in your comments to this post, and I will re-post them next week.
I want to hear from seasoned professionals, new teachers and those of you who have the planning gift…share your wisdom friends. Procrastination is lurking at my door and I need your encouragement and practical ideas for the planning-challenged music educator that is me.
If I get 10 solid ideas from your comments, I promise to post a link to some very helpful graphical course organizers I use in my own planning.
So- be specific and tell me: HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR YEAR?
I you have not read Mike Saville’s blog “How to Practise”, start with this post and you will become a subscriber like me. I have also noticed a lack of books and resources on how to practice for students…thank goodness for Mike’s blog.
So I’ve given you my bias about the cover of this book…I think it’s goofy. I must have picked it up and put it down 3 or 4 times before I bought it and brought it with me to read at the beach on vacation…
But what’s inside is what you need to read before you start up with your ensembles this fall. Dr. Timothy Seelig former opera singer turned conductor and former Artistic Director of the Turtle Creek Chorale may look silly on this colorful cover, but everything he says about rehearsals is worth your time. Consider this from page 5:
“Some think the most important thing [we do as conductors] is the performances! Or contests!…We only hear (and talk) about the destination, not the journey…Have you ever read a review of a rehearsal in the local paper? Much has been written about choral performances…But who is writing about the rehearsals?…Our papers have endless coverage of training camps for every possible sport. They talk about the players who make up the team…They talk about the coach. How is he running things?…But the same thing does not happen in what we do. They only care about the performance. The reality is, most of the sports media has a good idea during training camp what the team is going to be like. So should we. Perhaps the music critics should somehow turn the clock back and become a fly on the wall at our ‘training camp.’ Most likely, they would be able to tell what the performance was going to be like by observing rehearsals.”
He goes on to say “Ponder how many hours are spent in rehearsals as compared to performance. Regardless of whether you conduct a choir in a school, church or community setting, the number of hours in rehearsal vs. performance is at least ten hours for every one hour of performance time. For most choruses, 40 hours is a more accurate number.” These stats got my attention. Rehearsals are the most important thing we do as conductors, but often I’m so obsessed with the performance, I don’t put the time into planning a great rehearsal each week.
He follows up this section with a Seelig Signpost of Significance (my goofy creation, not his…)
” Guarantee: Rehearsals will change the lives of our singers. No Guarantee: Performances will change the lives of the audience.”
I had to read this several times before it really sank in…maybe too much sun sitting on the beach. But the truth of these statements hit me square in my beach chair: “Dude! You suck at planning consistent rehearsals each week. How dare you when rehearsals are so important to your singers mindset and how they will actually perform at the concert.” True confession time; haven’t you felt this way at one time or another in your career?
There is so much practical wisdom in this book to help you plan great rehearsals. But beyond that, Seelig presents the information as a tour guide planning a trip (hence the “It’s a Trip” reference on the front cover…) and asks some very significant “why” questions before jumping into a lot of Do’s and Don’ts.
It’s a great read that will inspire you no matter what level of group you conduct and rehearse. And just like the guide book we keep picking up and putting down here on our vacation, you will dog- ear pages, underline sections and share the great insight with friends and colleagues from “The Perfect Rehearsal: It’s a Trip! Everything you wanted to Know About Rehearsals.” By Timothy Seelig. Published by Shawnee Press, Inc.
Now if hurricane Felicia doesn’t throw off our flight plans, I’ll be able to try these ideas with my ensembles soon enough…
