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Blog: Catalysts & Connections

The development of a student's "voice"…..

While listening to readings this evening from the new book “Letters From Young Activists: Today’s Rebels Speak Out” I was inspired by the idea that young people were given an opportunity for their voices to be heard. By providing a space for young people to give voice to their passions, perspectives and self reflections the book acted as a catalyst for further dialogue and possibly even a model for involving young people in important discussions in a very meaningful way.… Read More »The development of a student's "voice"…..

Marching band and music selections….

People familiar with the culture of marching band and drum and bugle corps are used to lengthy discussions (and debates) entailing what music should and should not be played on the field. Some marching band directors have to worry about the music they are planning on playing being banned by their district, but it’s not very often that a piece being played by a marching band evokes such great passion and controversy! (At least the students were provided with an… Read More »Marching band and music selections….

Playing the Laptop

Does anyone have any students playing the laptop in school music ensembles? It would be interesting to find out how many programs include the use of the laptop as instrument. With more and more musicians such as Ikue Mori using the laptop as their primary instrument it only makes sense to start thinking about how to include it in our music programs. Just as any other instrument, performing the laptop live, requires skills and knowledge that can be developed over… Read More »Playing the Laptop

Remix Culture, Philosophy & Music….

DJ Spooky (also known as Paul D. Miller )sent an interesting email out today (also archived on nettime) that contains an interview in which he discusses issues of music as a metaphor, remix culture , collage and the relationship between his perspectives of music and the philosophies of Deleuze and Guattari. It’s definitely an interesting read and might even get you motivated to crack open some philosophy texts or at least look up some info on the web. I find… Read More »Remix Culture, Philosophy & Music….

DRM, Payola, and the music industry

Here’s a label that would be interesting to see on CDs in your favorite music store. In case you missed all the news on SONY’s DRM disaster read up here or here. Speaking of the music industry, in NY last year many public school music programs received a box of CDs from the state attorney Elliot Spitzer’s office as a result of a settlement with various music labels for collusion to overcharge for CDs. That’s not the only case of… Read More »DRM, Payola, and the music industry