If you research Japanese composer Rentaro Taki, you would find very little. Yet this man’s folk song “Kojo no Tsuki” is so popular in Japanese culture that is was recorded by both Thelonius Monk and The Scorpions. All I was able to find on this young composer was in Wikipedia which is not necessarily the […]
The recorder is the perfect instrument to introduce to students in 3rd or 4th grade. They are lightweight, simple to learn and fun to play. …..and teacher friendly ~ you can take off the mouth piece if a student insists on blowing inappropriately while allowing them to still practice their fingerings!! I have always enjoyed […]
These days, time is in such short supply! I am always thinking about how to be more efficient and get more done. As a result, I love to read about how others tackle this issue! There is an author that has devoted whole books to this very subject: Laura Vanderkam. She is known for such […]
Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is the perfect piece to listen for short and long sounds. I love the sharp rhythm patterns that start in measure 5 and repeat throughout the first couple of minutes. It is highlighted in this YouTube video (complete with sound and score!): CLICK HERE. So what can you do with it in a […]
When one thinks of Orff Schulwerk, two major instrument groups come to mind: xylophones and recorders! Both are “instrumental” in teaching with this method! Here are some tools worth checking out! [jbox color=”white” title=”Aulos 3 Piece Student Soprano Recorder”]$4.99 This recorder has the great quality of an Aulos for less money! We can’t believe how easy it […]
This work is one of my favorites! I enjoyed researching it and was quite amused at the subject matter I uncovered! Click on the NPR story at the end of the article for the fun details! A secular oratorio written in 1937 Based on a manuscript of medieval poems Intended to be staged with dance Part of […]
Coming up on July 10th is Carl Orff’s birthday; he would have been 120 years old! In celebration of his life, I wanted to highlight the great work he did and how it pertains to the challenges of today! I did a little digging and found a speech he made at the opening of the […]
Some time ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful local composer! Nick Demos, who is a professor of composition at GA State University, sat down with me and let me in on his composition process. Not only was it fascinating, but so inspiring! Here are his ideas for developing your aural imagination through immersion so that […]
I belong to a Toastmasters club in Alpharetta, GA. If you have never heard of it, it is something you might want to check out! It is a club where people go to improve their public speaking skills. A couple of weeks ago, a question was asked to a participant that resonated with me and the […]
In this month of advocacy, we want to get the word out. Your parents and administrators need to know what you are doing and why it is valuable to educating the whole child. Social media has become the perfect outlet to do this: posting takes little time and reaches almost all. An added benefit is […]