Time for a new post...

I have spent the last few days focused on technology, training, and all things Google. As I prepared for teaching a session, I was reminded that I have a blog. As is obvious by the most recent past post, I haven't been here in a while, so...

Right now I my thoughts seem to be focused in three areas:

MUSIC: As always, my life revolves around music. I spend the majority of every day attempting to inspire students to create and perform music. I also am involved in a big band jazz ensemble that performs regularly. And, there are always instruments around to play, musical ideas to put down, and new artists to listen to. Music is a constant in my life.

PHOTOGRAPHY: I have always loved cameras and making photos. I have become a bit obsessed with it lately. I have bought and traded several cameras recently, and I seem to spend a lot of time reading and learning, but not as much shooting photos as I should. I am working on a plan to change that, and trying to challenge myself with projects that will get me making photos every day.

TECHNOLOGY: I have also always been interested in gadgets, and trends in music and educational technology. I have a room full of music technology devices, and computer/iPad/iPhone with dozens of electronic music apps. I have also been given an opportunity to learn about and train others in the use of technology for teaching. It is an ever changing landscape demanding a lot of attention.


Add to these Family and Faith (and good food and coffee) and there is a lot to think about...

Time for a rest....

Spring Break is coming up next week, and it will be time for a rest. Sometimes situations force you into taking it slower than you really want, and that will be the case for me.

The Friday before Spring Break I will be having surgery on my shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff. It is my right arm, which is my dominant side, so I will be learning to do a lot of things with my left hand. I am supposed to keep my shoulder immobilized for eight weeks...that seems like an eternity.

Luckily (I guess), I will have some time to slow down and evaluate, to re-organize areas of my life that need it, to think and plan for some future activities. And to sit in these chairs by the bayou and relax.....

I am being consumed...

I am coming to a realization about myself, and possibly a realization about the current culture. I find myself becoming more and more a consumer and less and less a creator. It seems to me that I spend the majority of my free time - which isn't much - online reading blogs, tweets, status updates, etc. I justify it by saying I am learning and becoming aware of new things, new techniques for creating music, new ways of teaching, new photography techniques, and yet I never seem to get around to using what I am learning. I purchase numerous apps and software for music creation but I never seem to get around to learning how to use them and, more importantly, using them to make music. I read about cooking, composing, photography, teaching, dieting, but I do none of those things on a regular basis. I wonder that our society is facing the same struggle. I see those who work hard all day long at a job they don't particularly enjoy, then go home and live vicariously through others' achievements. We follow people's activities and pass on the creativity of others, sharing it through our various social network avenues. I think it is time we put down the iPhone/iPad/computer and do something productive....wait, someone just tweeted me......

Mike Huckabee: Art and Music Education

As part of an interview with The Des Moines Register, Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate, discusses his views on the need for art and music education in the schools...

The Future of the Arts

The education world is in turmoil, and change is imminent. It is no secret that the current accepted methods of teaching are due for an update, and that truth is causing unrest and lively discussion among educators at all levels. Add to that the financial difficulties that local districts, states, and even countries are experiencing and it is evident that a crisis is at hand.

Unfortunately, as changes are being discussed and financial decisions are being made, the fine arts curriculum seems to be one of the first areas that is deemed expendable. As you might guess, this bothers me...a lot.

I understand and support learning in all areas. I think our citizens young and old should have an insatiable hunger for knowledge. I believe the more knowledge you have in different areas, the better you are at communicating with and relating to the world around you. However, to remove or limit opportunities to experience and study the fine arts cripples the individual's ability for self-expression, creativity, and aesthetic appreciation.

I just finished reading words by Bob Bryant, who is the Executive Director of Fine Arts for the Katy Independent School District. His writing, "The Importance of Fine Arts Education," is on the district web site, and is an excellent explanation of the necessity for continued education in the visual and performing arts.

Whether you are a student, parent, educator, or community member I encourage you to stand up for fine arts education. As John F. Kennedy said, "Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people." Let's not allow our creativity to be stifled.

The competitive edge....

This year, in preparation for our annual UIL marching contest, I decided to take the Mighty Roughneck Band to two Pre-UIL contests. I debated the value of doing this, but after one contest I see the advantages to them.

While the band did have some struggles at last week's Buccaneer Marching Festival in Brenham, I believe that the group learned some things. We received great comments to help in improving our marching and especially our music. We have begun to polish the musicality of our performance as a result. Learning how to make the music "come alive" is one of the most important lessons we can gain.

We also watched the performance of several bands in our 3A level and above. We saw some great performances, and some that were just average. We got to see the commitment and hard-work of other bands. Hopefully that was an inspiration and motivation to us, to continue to work hard toward our goals.

Another aspect of the festival that I thought was helpful is that the percussion section and color guard received comments and ratings from judges as well. It comes as no surprise that both groups received superior ratings from the judges. The recorded comments have already helped these hard-working groups improve.

I am looking forward to this weekend and the Edna Marching Festival. We will see how far we have moved forward in our rehearsals as we chase after our goal of marching in the Alamodome at the UIL State Marching Contest.

BTW...the picture at the top was taken by Mikayla...pretty cool!

The Escape

First day of Spring Break!!! Headed to San Antonio and of course had to have lunch at one of our favorite restaurants - Mi Tierra. The video above shows some of the musicians performing there.

Continued on to Boerne where we are staying. We plan to hangout in downtown Boerne and Fredricksburg, see my dad, and go to a couple of other of our favorite places. Should be a great week!


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