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Blog: Catalysts & Connections

Reluctant composers & Sparking student creativity

Anytime I hear about a music class, whether in K-12 schools or the university level, that makes use of improvisation and composition I get excited. I was happy to read Scott Spiegelberg’s recent post “Teaching Creativity” (via his excellent “Musical Perceptions” blog). At the end of his post he asks the following question regarding students who are “scared or reluctant” about a composition project: “So, how do you light the creative spark in these types of students?” You can read… Read More »Reluctant composers & Sparking student creativity

Music Education Advocacy & Harvard Project Zero

Thanks to glued to the string (an excellent string education blog) after recently posting about music education advocacy, I came across the article “Arts Education; Book Tackles Old Debate: Role of Art In Schools“** featuring researchers at Harvard Project Zero. The article is about their arts education research and new book “Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education,” which seems to have some pretty important implications for arts advocacy. While the book will focus on visual arts there… Read More »Music Education Advocacy & Harvard Project Zero

MENC Music Education Advocacy Resources Available

As you gear up for the upcoming school year consider taking advantage of several free advocacy resources being offered by MENC. “The Power of Music” Advocacy Brochure Series is one resource available as a set of pdf files. “Music for All students: Planning Music Education Advocacy” (also available as a pdf file) gives step by step suggestions for working with colleagues, parents, administrators and community members to structure and organize advocacy over the course of the school year. Music Friends… Read More »MENC Music Education Advocacy Resources Available

World's Largest Music Lesson & Community Music

On Tuesday August 7th at 7:00 PM, the Old Town School of Folk Music will be attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Record’s entry for the world’s largest music lesson by holding a massive guitar lesson. If you live in or around Chicago or are looking for something to do this summer consider being a part of the lesson. All you have to do is sign up and bring a guitar. Perhaps you could notify some of your… Read More »World's Largest Music Lesson & Community Music

Student Composers In The News

While music educators are starting to bring the talented young performers on “From The Top” to the attention of their students it would be equally beneficial to make our students aware of composers their age. Belinda Reynolds recently wrote about an ensemble consisting solely of teenage performers and composers called “Formerly Known As Classical“. NPR has also featured several young composers in their radio programs over the paste few months. Eighteen-year old Domink Maican who started attending Juliard at age… Read More »Student Composers In The News