I have been thinking a great deal lately about technology and education.
How can an arts/orchestra teacher incorporate technology effectively into my curriculum? Can it be done with assessment? Can it be done with content and delivery? Of course the answer is yes to both of these. How are students today tuned into technology in ways that I can't even imagine as a 40-something guy - and how can I meet their expectations for their education? What can I do with Skype? What can I do with Wikis? What have I not thought of yet?
This is all on my mind right now. I am excited to be diving into several new books that will hopefully clarify some of my ideas. Look for these topics to be addressed in the near future here.
Some of the books include:
Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns by Clayton Christensen, Curtis W. Johnson, and Michael B. Horn
Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World, by Don Tapscott
Digital Game-Based Learning, by Marc Prensky
Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell
The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, by Thomas L. Friedman
Groundswell, by Charlene Li
Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams
So much to read - so little time!!
There will be much to come on this issue. It is looming large for me.
To my students: Look for digital assessment coming up in January and February. Also, look for web-video content delivery and something called a Google-Blast during class.
Oh yes - this is going to be fun!!
Peace.
Scott
Thoughts of a String Educator
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year!
Hi all and Happy New year!
I hope you all had a great holiday season.
Today, I thought I would share a new article with you that I wrote for Teen Strings Magazine. It is on Strobe tuners.
Enjoy!
Scott
I hope you all had a great holiday season.
Today, I thought I would share a new article with you that I wrote for Teen Strings Magazine. It is on Strobe tuners.
Enjoy!
Scott
Monday, December 8, 2008
NCSSM String Orchestra at Orange Grove Baptist
Hi all -
Today, I would like to tell you a bit about a cool performance that the NCSSM Orchestra did on Sunday, December 7 at Orange Grove Baptist Church in Durham. I have to say, it was one of the most appreciative audiences that I have ever performed for! I had a great time and it was a great experience for my whole group.
First, a little background. About 3 weeks ago, I received a phone call from Marlon West, Minister of Music at Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He explained to me that the another orchestra had been planning on accompanying his choir for a December 7 performance, but the conductor had been having some physical problems and the group had to cancel. He wondered if my ensemble could accompany them on the Hallelujah Chorus (Handel), and the Vivaldi Gloria, as well as do a couple of featured pieces on the program.
As I looked at the calendar and contemplaed what this meant in terms of rehearsals and time, I thought that there could be a couple of real benefits to doing this. First, it would provide a concrete goal early in the 2nd trimester. We would learn some new music and perform it in a very short time frame. Second, it would most-likely be the only baroque era music that we would be doing this year. And, I do feel a responsibility to select music from a broad range of eras over the course of a school year. Third, and maybe most importantly, this would provide some great real-world experience for my students. They would have to prepare new literature, put it together with a different conductor and choral ensemble, and perform it in a space that they will have only heard on the day of the performance. There are many unknowns in that equasion and the only way to learn how it goes is to actually do it. As it turned out, there were many other benefits to the performance, and I will get to them later.
So, I said "yes" and we began our preparations right away. As I got to know Marlon via phone calls and e-mails, it became apparent to me right away that he is a man with a gentle spirit and I just loved all of our contact. We dedided that the orchestra would perform the Messiah Overture (a great baroque instrumental work that has a slow introduction and an Allegro Fugue. It isn't long, but it is powerful.) and the "Dargason" movement of the St. Paul Suite by Gustav Holst. (It is an allegro movement that features an English folksong that is eventually superimposed with "Greensleaves." I figured that the "Greensleaves" theme would be "Christmassy enough to make it viable for this performance.)
Marlon brought his choir over to NCSSM last Tuesday night for a brief rehearsal. It went great. I think the Orange Grove kids really enjoyed it and I know that the NCSSM kids did as well.
Which brings us to the performance yesterday. Phillip Riggs and I picked the kids up at NCSSM at 3:00 for a 3:30 reheasal at Orange Grove. we made it over there right on time and got into our places. The sanctuary is a nice size, but still we had to work around their set-up. It was a great experience to see the NCSSM students trying to figure out how to really make this work. He had a brief dress-rehearsal wth the choir and before we knew it, we were finished. We headed to our room for cases and coats and waited for the performance. the folks at the church provided us with bottled water and some finger food while we waited. During that time, I had a really nice conversation with one of my students regarding the way that art and creativity feed ones interest in academics and vice versa. I was mindful of what a great goup of kids I am working with. They hung out in the room, talked quietly, and enjoyed each others' company.
We headed dwonstairs for the performance and got ready to go. There were several introduction and many foks had an opportunity to speak. It was a really cool experience to watch and [participate in the service and to watch my students' reactions to all that was going on.
The orchestra played marvelously. I had asked the students to focus on "depth of sound" as they played the Overture and they certainly did that. I also had the opportunity to intoduce the piece and briefly discussed the concept of anticipation as it reales to the Overture of The Messiah. That seemed to resonate with my musicians and they really made the concept come to life. When I introduced the Dargason movement to the audience, I mentioned that they would be hearing the tune of "Greensleaves." As we performed it, the tune REALLY carried and sang. It was magnificent! I must admit, I don't think that I have ever performed for a more appreciative audience. The ovation seemed to go on forever as we finished. I am so glad that my student experienced it!
Interestingly, through all of the events of the day and the weeks leading up to it, I couldn't help but to think that, yet again, it all comes down to relationships. My new relationship with Marlon West is one that I know will last for many years. The relatioinships between my students were strengthened by the common experience. My relationship with them was strengthened as well. And, I feel like we all started new relationships through music with everyone that was in attendance that evening. How cool!
As we enter the holiday season, I wish for you a renewed appreciation for the relationships in your life. Remember that the folks that you encounter all through your day are important, too. And, I know that I will endeavor to show my appreciation for the folks around me the way that the folks at Orange Grove showed their appreciation for my orchestra. for some reason, this weekend I was reminded: Do unto others....
Peace.
Scott
Today, I would like to tell you a bit about a cool performance that the NCSSM Orchestra did on Sunday, December 7 at Orange Grove Baptist Church in Durham. I have to say, it was one of the most appreciative audiences that I have ever performed for! I had a great time and it was a great experience for my whole group.
First, a little background. About 3 weeks ago, I received a phone call from Marlon West, Minister of Music at Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He explained to me that the another orchestra had been planning on accompanying his choir for a December 7 performance, but the conductor had been having some physical problems and the group had to cancel. He wondered if my ensemble could accompany them on the Hallelujah Chorus (Handel), and the Vivaldi Gloria, as well as do a couple of featured pieces on the program.
As I looked at the calendar and contemplaed what this meant in terms of rehearsals and time, I thought that there could be a couple of real benefits to doing this. First, it would provide a concrete goal early in the 2nd trimester. We would learn some new music and perform it in a very short time frame. Second, it would most-likely be the only baroque era music that we would be doing this year. And, I do feel a responsibility to select music from a broad range of eras over the course of a school year. Third, and maybe most importantly, this would provide some great real-world experience for my students. They would have to prepare new literature, put it together with a different conductor and choral ensemble, and perform it in a space that they will have only heard on the day of the performance. There are many unknowns in that equasion and the only way to learn how it goes is to actually do it. As it turned out, there were many other benefits to the performance, and I will get to them later.
So, I said "yes" and we began our preparations right away. As I got to know Marlon via phone calls and e-mails, it became apparent to me right away that he is a man with a gentle spirit and I just loved all of our contact. We dedided that the orchestra would perform the Messiah Overture (a great baroque instrumental work that has a slow introduction and an Allegro Fugue. It isn't long, but it is powerful.) and the "Dargason" movement of the St. Paul Suite by Gustav Holst. (It is an allegro movement that features an English folksong that is eventually superimposed with "Greensleaves." I figured that the "Greensleaves" theme would be "Christmassy enough to make it viable for this performance.)
Marlon brought his choir over to NCSSM last Tuesday night for a brief rehearsal. It went great. I think the Orange Grove kids really enjoyed it and I know that the NCSSM kids did as well.
Which brings us to the performance yesterday. Phillip Riggs and I picked the kids up at NCSSM at 3:00 for a 3:30 reheasal at Orange Grove. we made it over there right on time and got into our places. The sanctuary is a nice size, but still we had to work around their set-up. It was a great experience to see the NCSSM students trying to figure out how to really make this work. He had a brief dress-rehearsal wth the choir and before we knew it, we were finished. We headed to our room for cases and coats and waited for the performance. the folks at the church provided us with bottled water and some finger food while we waited. During that time, I had a really nice conversation with one of my students regarding the way that art and creativity feed ones interest in academics and vice versa. I was mindful of what a great goup of kids I am working with. They hung out in the room, talked quietly, and enjoyed each others' company.
We headed dwonstairs for the performance and got ready to go. There were several introduction and many foks had an opportunity to speak. It was a really cool experience to watch and [participate in the service and to watch my students' reactions to all that was going on.
The orchestra played marvelously. I had asked the students to focus on "depth of sound" as they played the Overture and they certainly did that. I also had the opportunity to intoduce the piece and briefly discussed the concept of anticipation as it reales to the Overture of The Messiah. That seemed to resonate with my musicians and they really made the concept come to life. When I introduced the Dargason movement to the audience, I mentioned that they would be hearing the tune of "Greensleaves." As we performed it, the tune REALLY carried and sang. It was magnificent! I must admit, I don't think that I have ever performed for a more appreciative audience. The ovation seemed to go on forever as we finished. I am so glad that my student experienced it!
Interestingly, through all of the events of the day and the weeks leading up to it, I couldn't help but to think that, yet again, it all comes down to relationships. My new relationship with Marlon West is one that I know will last for many years. The relatioinships between my students were strengthened by the common experience. My relationship with them was strengthened as well. And, I feel like we all started new relationships through music with everyone that was in attendance that evening. How cool!
As we enter the holiday season, I wish for you a renewed appreciation for the relationships in your life. Remember that the folks that you encounter all through your day are important, too. And, I know that I will endeavor to show my appreciation for the folks around me the way that the folks at Orange Grove showed their appreciation for my orchestra. for some reason, this weekend I was reminded: Do unto others....
Peace.
Scott
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Putting Your Effects in Order
Hey all -
Check out a recent article that I wrote for Teen Strings magazine.
http://www.teenstrings.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=23372
For those of you that are electric violinists - I hope it is helpful!!
Peace
Scott
Check out a recent article that I wrote for Teen Strings magazine.
http://www.teenstrings.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=23372
For those of you that are electric violinists - I hope it is helpful!!
Peace
Scott
Sunday, November 30, 2008
25th High School Reunion Indiana HS Class of 1983
On Friday night, I attended my 25th high school reunion. I had a great time. It was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make some new ones, too. I am not one of those folks that has bad memories of high school. I had a great time. I truly value the relationships that I established there and always look forward to these type of events.
I have 4 particularly close friends from high school and stay in relatively close touch with each of them. We try to get our families together about once a year and have enjoyed watching each others' kids continue to grow and develop into the great young people that we expect them to. Our wives have become friends over the years and these family friendships are important to all of us. Three of the 5 guys in that crowd were able to make it to this gathering and that group served as "home base" for us and for our wives throughout the night.
Other than that crew, I particularly enjoyed rekindling 2 friendships from 25 years ago. First, I spent a good deal of time catching up with Dean, a friend that I remember particularly from band, but I think we were in several other classes together as well. He has two beautiful kids, a wonderful wife, and works in the software industry. We just seemed to connect on a cool level and I will look forward to communicating with him as we move forward. The connection on this evening was a common interest in the music of Jean Luc Ponty, the famous electric violinist. It seems Dean began listening to Ponty's music as a 10th grader. I had no idea. I began listening to his music sometime in Jr. High and have been a fan ever since. Dean's parents were both educators like mine and I suspect that our families were somewhat similar. His kids are into music and so are mine. I am not surprised that Dean and I reconnected at this reunion, but I am glad that we did.
The other conversation that was particularly enlightening, was with Valerie. I remember Valerie to be a quiet, really nice girl. But, I really didn't know her that well. Near the end of the evening, I had the chance to ask her what she was up to lately. She reluctantly told me that she was in Boston and after I pressed a bit, I found out that she works in the Harvard Graduate School of Education is interested in career theory and understanding the employment market as it relates to today's higher education student. We had a brief, but interesting, converstation about our work and definitely found a strong common interest in education. I hope that we will continue our dialog in the future. I know that I can learn alot from her.
The night was certainly another reminder to me that relationships are so important. It is so important to be open to to the relationships that come our way. How many opportunities we have to learn about other places, people, and ideas. And, really, we just have to be open to seeing those opportunities when they arise.
I wonder who I'll meet this week? i wonder what I'll learn this week? I can't wait to find out!
Peace.
Scott
I have 4 particularly close friends from high school and stay in relatively close touch with each of them. We try to get our families together about once a year and have enjoyed watching each others' kids continue to grow and develop into the great young people that we expect them to. Our wives have become friends over the years and these family friendships are important to all of us. Three of the 5 guys in that crowd were able to make it to this gathering and that group served as "home base" for us and for our wives throughout the night.
Other than that crew, I particularly enjoyed rekindling 2 friendships from 25 years ago. First, I spent a good deal of time catching up with Dean, a friend that I remember particularly from band, but I think we were in several other classes together as well. He has two beautiful kids, a wonderful wife, and works in the software industry. We just seemed to connect on a cool level and I will look forward to communicating with him as we move forward. The connection on this evening was a common interest in the music of Jean Luc Ponty, the famous electric violinist. It seems Dean began listening to Ponty's music as a 10th grader. I had no idea. I began listening to his music sometime in Jr. High and have been a fan ever since. Dean's parents were both educators like mine and I suspect that our families were somewhat similar. His kids are into music and so are mine. I am not surprised that Dean and I reconnected at this reunion, but I am glad that we did.
The other conversation that was particularly enlightening, was with Valerie. I remember Valerie to be a quiet, really nice girl. But, I really didn't know her that well. Near the end of the evening, I had the chance to ask her what she was up to lately. She reluctantly told me that she was in Boston and after I pressed a bit, I found out that she works in the Harvard Graduate School of Education is interested in career theory and understanding the employment market as it relates to today's higher education student. We had a brief, but interesting, converstation about our work and definitely found a strong common interest in education. I hope that we will continue our dialog in the future. I know that I can learn alot from her.
The night was certainly another reminder to me that relationships are so important. It is so important to be open to to the relationships that come our way. How many opportunities we have to learn about other places, people, and ideas. And, really, we just have to be open to seeing those opportunities when they arise.
I wonder who I'll meet this week? i wonder what I'll learn this week? I can't wait to find out!
Peace.
Scott
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
Tonight, my orchestra was rehearsing Symphony No. 5, by Beethoven. What a gas! I love conducting Beethoven. I really can't think of anything better. His passion and fire are evident every time I jump into his music as a player, listener, or conductor. I am privileged to participate in it.
I just love it when a student group begins to feel the emotion of a work. That happened tonight. The moment was near the end of the 1st movement when the strings play a unison half note, tied to an eighth and then three separate eighths. This pattern repeats several times. We spent a few minutes going over the correct bow placement and bow-lifting routine and then put it together. I explained that the tied eighth really sounds like a rest. It was fantastic to see their reaction when they heard it really work. And, you could see it in the faces of the wind section as well. They knew it, too! For the rest of rehearsal, they just got it. I'd like to take some credit for it, but I can't. It is the magic of Beethoven, the power and passion of Beethoven.
This performance can't come soon enough. I just can't wait.
I had a busy day today and am glad it ended with this!
Peace.
Scott
I just love it when a student group begins to feel the emotion of a work. That happened tonight. The moment was near the end of the 1st movement when the strings play a unison half note, tied to an eighth and then three separate eighths. This pattern repeats several times. We spent a few minutes going over the correct bow placement and bow-lifting routine and then put it together. I explained that the tied eighth really sounds like a rest. It was fantastic to see their reaction when they heard it really work. And, you could see it in the faces of the wind section as well. They knew it, too! For the rest of rehearsal, they just got it. I'd like to take some credit for it, but I can't. It is the magic of Beethoven, the power and passion of Beethoven.
This performance can't come soon enough. I just can't wait.
I had a busy day today and am glad it ended with this!
Peace.
Scott
Monday, October 13, 2008
Why do we "do" music?
This past weekend, I had two opportunities is make some great music as part of a group. First, on Saturday night, the NCSSM String Quartet (4 of my students) were scheduled to play for an alumni function at Hope Valley County Club. One of the violinists had a last minute schedule conflict and it was too late to prepare another student for the event. I agreed to play. We played for almost 2 hours and did primarily Mozart String Quartets. I played first violin and really enjoyed myself. It had been quite a while since I had played really good string quartet music with an ensemble that wasn't just playing the standard gig or wedding music. What a pleasure it was to play Mozart String Quartets that actually required preparation and practice to pull off in a musical and expressive manner. There was a real feeling of satisfaction as we finished up for the night. We had played a fine performance.
On Sunday, I put on my improv hat and headed out to a gig at the Piedmont Restaurant to play for Sunday Brunch. I work at Piedmont regularly with Willie Painter and Keith Guile. This week, Willie was out of town and Keith invited his friend and bassist, Robert Truesdale to sit in. We played a fair amount of music that was new to me and I had an opportunity to test my aural and improv chops for a couple of hours. Much like Saturday night, it was a blast. We had such a good time making music and I walked away from the gig with such a great feeling of satisfaction.
This brings me to my thought for today. What is it about music that keeps bring us back as both players and listeners. It certainly fills avoid in our lives and thoughts. Something quite satisfying happens when we listen to great music, when we play music. People are compelled to spend billions of dollars each year on recorded music, concert tickets, and musical instruments. We invest hundreds of hours each year in practicing, listening, and discussing music and performers. And, I am not talking about professionals. Let's take the pros out of the equation. Something is definitely going on in the brain when we play and listen to music. What is it that compels us to invest so much in the pursuit?
Certainly, music is different than most other activities. It requires study, practice, and preparation much like any other worthwhile pursuit. One thing that makes it unique is the fact that it is timed. If we are performing music, there is no time for pondering or considering our next move. The pulse will not wait. The closest activity to which I can compare this is timed sports. In football, the play begins and the player must hit every mark in order to be successful. In track and field, the gun goes off and the runner must perform every move perfectly in order to win or even complete the race. The athlete must prepare ahead of time in order to do these things at the tempo required for success. Just like the musician.
Here is another thought. I teach a course in piano and guitar. This course attracts students from all ends of the experience spectrum. Some of my students are quite experienced in the discipline of piano or guitar and take the course to build practice time into their busy schedules at NCSSM. But, a greater percentage of my students in that course are beginners. They are kids that just want to learn the skill of playing an instrument and they are starting from scratch. Some of them are brilliant kids that struggle to play little tunes such as Jingle Bells and Merrily We Roll Along. But, they invest the time in the pursuit. the are drawn to the complexity of the activity. They are drawn to the notion that they can't just "learn" it by reading the concepts in a book. they have to first comprehend the activity and then, they must perform it. And, not only perform it, but perform it in time, in rhythm. Most of them succeed. Certainly, they succeed in varying degrees, but succeed they do. Regardless, I am always amazed by theri degree of determination and drive. Very few give up. There must be something there that they need as humans. There is some extra bang for the academic buck that you get from music. Otherwise, why would so many be willing to invest ther time in it?
My son has the bug. He comes home from school every day and goes straight for the instruments. Some days it is his violin and others it is his bass. Still others, his brother's drums. but, he goes to music most days. I did it, too, as a kid. I would wear out the piano after school nearly every day. I would wear out my LP records nearly every night. I would go to sleep listening to WDVD in Pittsburgh every night and wake up to it in the morning.
I have an old frind that is a brilliant scholar. He made his career in music, however. He told me once that, "Music is the only thing that I ever really had to work at to be good." I think of that statement frequently and wonder if that is part of the appeal. I am certain that it isn't the whole story. Part of it, at least, is much deeper. It is emotion. It is connection to feelings. It is aesthetics. But, i am sure that part of it is what it does to our brains. There is so much there to process.
I read a book this summer entitled, This is Your Brain on Music. Let me encourage you to read it. It really sheds some insights into what is going on in our brain during the pursuit of music. It definitely gives some answers. but, for me, it also creates new questions. How cool is that?
Until next time....
Peace,
Scott
On Sunday, I put on my improv hat and headed out to a gig at the Piedmont Restaurant to play for Sunday Brunch. I work at Piedmont regularly with Willie Painter and Keith Guile. This week, Willie was out of town and Keith invited his friend and bassist, Robert Truesdale to sit in. We played a fair amount of music that was new to me and I had an opportunity to test my aural and improv chops for a couple of hours. Much like Saturday night, it was a blast. We had such a good time making music and I walked away from the gig with such a great feeling of satisfaction.
This brings me to my thought for today. What is it about music that keeps bring us back as both players and listeners. It certainly fills avoid in our lives and thoughts. Something quite satisfying happens when we listen to great music, when we play music. People are compelled to spend billions of dollars each year on recorded music, concert tickets, and musical instruments. We invest hundreds of hours each year in practicing, listening, and discussing music and performers. And, I am not talking about professionals. Let's take the pros out of the equation. Something is definitely going on in the brain when we play and listen to music. What is it that compels us to invest so much in the pursuit?
Certainly, music is different than most other activities. It requires study, practice, and preparation much like any other worthwhile pursuit. One thing that makes it unique is the fact that it is timed. If we are performing music, there is no time for pondering or considering our next move. The pulse will not wait. The closest activity to which I can compare this is timed sports. In football, the play begins and the player must hit every mark in order to be successful. In track and field, the gun goes off and the runner must perform every move perfectly in order to win or even complete the race. The athlete must prepare ahead of time in order to do these things at the tempo required for success. Just like the musician.
Here is another thought. I teach a course in piano and guitar. This course attracts students from all ends of the experience spectrum. Some of my students are quite experienced in the discipline of piano or guitar and take the course to build practice time into their busy schedules at NCSSM. But, a greater percentage of my students in that course are beginners. They are kids that just want to learn the skill of playing an instrument and they are starting from scratch. Some of them are brilliant kids that struggle to play little tunes such as Jingle Bells and Merrily We Roll Along. But, they invest the time in the pursuit. the are drawn to the complexity of the activity. They are drawn to the notion that they can't just "learn" it by reading the concepts in a book. they have to first comprehend the activity and then, they must perform it. And, not only perform it, but perform it in time, in rhythm. Most of them succeed. Certainly, they succeed in varying degrees, but succeed they do. Regardless, I am always amazed by theri degree of determination and drive. Very few give up. There must be something there that they need as humans. There is some extra bang for the academic buck that you get from music. Otherwise, why would so many be willing to invest ther time in it?
My son has the bug. He comes home from school every day and goes straight for the instruments. Some days it is his violin and others it is his bass. Still others, his brother's drums. but, he goes to music most days. I did it, too, as a kid. I would wear out the piano after school nearly every day. I would wear out my LP records nearly every night. I would go to sleep listening to WDVD in Pittsburgh every night and wake up to it in the morning.
I have an old frind that is a brilliant scholar. He made his career in music, however. He told me once that, "Music is the only thing that I ever really had to work at to be good." I think of that statement frequently and wonder if that is part of the appeal. I am certain that it isn't the whole story. Part of it, at least, is much deeper. It is emotion. It is connection to feelings. It is aesthetics. But, i am sure that part of it is what it does to our brains. There is so much there to process.
I read a book this summer entitled, This is Your Brain on Music. Let me encourage you to read it. It really sheds some insights into what is going on in our brain during the pursuit of music. It definitely gives some answers. but, for me, it also creates new questions. How cool is that?
Until next time....
Peace,
Scott
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