Day 3 of TMEA

Day 3 is over...spent a lot of time listening to various performing groups. It is amazing to hear the level of musicianship from elementary through college age students. It is inspiring and it helps me to formulate a concept of sound that I can take back to our groups a imitate.

The conferences I attended reinforced what I heard in live performances. I have a better understanding of the teaching techniques that can be used to create the sounds I heard.

I won't be blogging day 4 because I will be coming home. But I am most excited to hear Sebastian's group perform. I listened to rehearsals today and they are amazing.

Have a great weekend...and I look forward to seeing you on Monday.

M


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Day 2 at TMEA

Long day and didn't get to write last night. There is so much to see and do here at the convention. In the picture you see an instrument I had not seen before...a contrabass flute! It really is an interesting instrument.

I was also in two interesting conferences. The first was about the teacher and how it is more than the teaching ability, it is who you are as a person that often communicates loudly. I want to teach well, but more importantly I want to be a good example and role model.

The other conference dealt with the inner game of music...www.theinnergameofmusic.com. It is about learning to ignore the critical voices that shout at you while you perform, and often make you perform poorly. One must learn to focus on aspects of the performance and not listen to the commentary going on inside one's head. This will help us as an ensemble and as individual performers to play more skillfully.

Well, it is time for another clinic......

M


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Day 1 of TMEA

I just finished the first day of my trip to the TMEA convention. Actually, the convention really doesn't start until tomorrow, with seminars and conferences, concerts and meetings, and lots of opportunities to talk to friends and colleagues.

Today I went to a conference on judging marching contests. I am on the judging list, but I mainly went to get a better idea of how I can help our band improve our marching show. I learned a lot of what to look for and work on, and how to design and execute a show that will be successful. I am excited about the possibilities for next year, and I am motivated to see us make it to the state level. In fact, looking out the window of my hotel, I see the Alamodome, and it is a reminder of that goal.

I also got the opportunity to judge the alto, bass, and contrabass clarinet All-State students for their chair placements. It helps me to hear how the students at this level perform so I can be a better teacher of those instruments. But honestly, our students are just as talented as these I heard tonight.

Finally, I am proud of Sebastian Guerra. He is a great example of the talent and hard-work that is a part of all the Roughneck Band members, and you should be proud to have him represent you here in the ATSSB All-State Symphonic Band.

Well, that's all for tonight...stay tuned for more insight into tomorrow's activities.

M

TMEA next week

This is the week for the annual Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA for short) convention in San Antonio. Each year music educators from around the state spend four days attending conferences, concerts, and exhibits. It is a time to sharpen teaching skills, gain new ideas, and catch up with friends.

This year I am going to try an experiment and provide updates during the day via Twitter and Facebook, and post a daily blog of my activities and insights. I want to do this so that my students might get an idea about what goes on during the convention. I plan to put pictures and maybe even video. Hopefully it will be both interesting and informative.


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Merry Christmas...

"For unto is a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas! May the peace and love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts and spill out of your life to others. I pray that the new year you face will be the best year of your life.

My Obsession...

I will admit it....I am obsessed with musical instruments. And you see in the picture my latest obsession...it is a 1970's Fender Rhodes 88-key suitcase piano. This will be the fifth Fender Rhodes I have owned in my lifetime. I bought my first one in 1975 when I started playing in a band. I have always loved the sound, and even though I have the same sounds in my laptop there is nothing like the real thing.

I guess the older I get, the more nostalgic I become. You know I love technology, but sometimes I long for life to be like it was when I was younger...more simple, with less things battling for my time. That is why music is so appealing...I can sit down at this piano and lose myself in old songs or compose new ones and the world seems to fade.

I guess I should stop...I am starting to sound like an old guy.....

A View from the backyard....

I am definitely enjoying relaxing during this Thanksgiving break. My wife, Cindy, and I always spend the time with her sister and husband in San Antonio, and I get to sit in this backyard and enjoy the view. No swimming, though; just a little cool this time of year.

I also get a chance to catch up on some of the hobbies I enjoy but have to postpone during the busy fall season. I spend some time on my music...well, actually I am still trying to learn how to use the software I have. I also get the camera out and take photos; one of these days I will learn how to use Photoshop, too.

I really have a hard time slowing down, but I know that this is important. You have to recharge or you will burn out. You also have to control your own use of your time or it will be decided for you. That is why I enjoy just relaxing, not doing much of anything, trying not to think about the next event coming up, or that I still need to plan for this or that.

I hope you have a blessed, relaxing, and enjoyable Thanksgiving break.