Art = Architecture, Dance and an Airport

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/arts/dance/28gree.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

I forget these thing...

Here's a good list of things we all forget. I know I sure forget them at times.

Some things to look forward to in life.
=========================================

Falling in love.

Laughing so hard your face hurts.

A hot shower.

No lines at the supermarket

A special glance.

Getting mail

Taking a drive on a pretty road.

Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.

Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla or strawberry!)

A bubble bath.

Giggling.

A good conversation.

The beach

Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.

Laughing at yourself.

Midnight phone calls that last for hours.

Running through sprinklers.

Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

Laughing at an inside joke.

Friends.

Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.

Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).

Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

Playing with a new puppy.

Having someone play with your hair.

Sweet dreams.

Hot chocolate.

Road trips with friends.

Swinging on swings.

Making eye contact with a cute stranger.

Making chocolate chip cookies.

Having your friends send you home-made cookies.

Holding hands with someone you care about.

Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.

Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.

Watching the sunrise.

Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.

Knowing that somebody misses you.

Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.

Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

Franklin, PA

Take a look at this column. How cool!! Franklin is such a cool little town. I had the chance to cover some stories there in my previous life as a TV reporter in northwestern PA.

I love this description of a small community band!!!

http://www.makingmusicmag.com/columns/06mar02.html

Idol (again)

http://etobiasblog.musiced.net/


Take a look at this. It's the blog of the teacher who was featured in an ABC story about using American Idol in the classroom. Interesting reading.

As I've posted before, I see lots of positives of using shows like American Idol as teaching tools. To be effective, obviously, you need a good teacher who can put the show and all that surrounds it in proper context.

iPod and Shoes

http://www.playfuls.com/news_02666_The_Nike_iPod_Combination_or_Peeking_at_the_Digital_Future.html

Interesting here!! Seems kinda odd actually to see the iPod and shoes combining. However, it goes to show just how important music is in our society. Music isn't going away!! We need to do all we can to support music ed and future music makers!!! Nike looks to be doin their part!!

NCLB

May 23, 2006
Take Action on No Child Left Behind -- MENC Member Update Special Announcement

Your help is urgently needed to inform Congress about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the importance of the arts in every child's education. Your action today will help to ensure the place of the
arts in your schools tomorrow.

The Commission on No Child Left Behind is accepting comments through an online portal on their Web site. This bipartisan commission will make formal recommendations to Congress in early 2007. As
such, this is a key opportunity for teachers, parents, and community members to offer constructive feedback on the importance of the arts in any kind of education legislation, and specifically NCLB.


Follow these five easy steps and join arts educators and supporters around the country in submitting comments about the importance of arts education:

1. Review the „talking points‰ included at the end of this message.
2. Incorporate some or all of them into your own personal letter. Include positive anecdotes or experiences about the importance of arts education.
3. Submit your letter via this Web portal:
http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.1403589/k.C43B/Your_NCLB_Comments/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=huLWJeMRKpH&b=1403589&en=cjJLIZNJK9ILK1PDI8IPK2PPIkKOJ6POJfLOL9OYJxG
4. Paste your letter into the „Comment‰ section and click „Submit.‰
5. Let MENC know you‚ve submitted comments to the Commission by also emailing your letter to PaulK@menc.org .

Share this message with your parents and community supporters. Encourage them to submit their own letters about the importance of arts education in NCLB and every child's education.

With your action, the Commission will report to Congress that teachers, parents, and advocates around the country are insisting on a stronger place for the arts in NCLB and every child's education.
Should you have questions, please contact Paul Kerlin, MENC Director of Governmental Affairs, at PaulK@menc.org .

Thanks for your help. Take action today!

*********************
TALKING POINTS
1. A child‚s education is not complete unless it includes the arts.
2. No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) lists the arts among the core academic subjects, requiring schools to enable all students to reap the full benefits of a comprehensive arts education. However, a
recent report from the Center for Education Policy concludes that, since the enactment of NCLB, instructional time for music and art in schools has been reduced by 22 percent. 3. The federal
commitment to arts education must be strengthened so that the arts are implemented as a part of the core curriculum of our nation's schools and are an integral part of every child‚s development.
4. A comprehensive strategy for a complete education for all students includes high-quality, sequential arts instruction in the classroom, as well as participation and learning in available
community-based arts programs.
5. Comprehensive arts education for all helps students meet the ever growing demands of the global economy. Students gain skills essential to succeeding in the ever changing information age.
6. Recent studies show that schools with large number of impoverished students are aided and transformed into vibrant learning environments when the arts are infused into their culture and
curricula.
7. Teacher retention and recruitment continues to be a daunting challenge for schools. However, when schools embrace the arts and become havens for innovation and creativity, they become places
where teachers want to teach, and subsequently, students want to learn.
8. Public schools have the responsibility for providing a complete education for all children. The federal government must exercise leadership to ensure schools meet the arts commitment put forth in
NCLB.
9. More research supporting the importance of arts education for every child is available at http://www.supportmusic.com .

Idol

http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/Entertainment/story?id=1987774

American Idol

Let's hope Taylor wins Idol!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEWS: MUSIC EDUCATION AND MENC MEMBERS FEATURED ON ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT THIS SUNDAY!

Two MENC members and Executive Director John Mahlmann are scheduled to be featured on this Sunday‚s broadcast
of ABC World News Tonight. The segment is about how some teachers are using „American Idol‰ in their music classes. MENC members Evan Tobias (Willow Grove Middle School, Rockland County, New York)
and Sarah Wallace (Plainfield Elementary, Nazareth, PA) are the featured teachers. Watch ABC World News Tonight this Sunday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. (Broadcast is subject to change due to breaking
news.)

Long Time No Blog

April and May tend to be pretty busy...

Many schools do their tryouts for new students at this time of year so we've all been very busy with that.

Beyond that comes some woodwind ensemble rehearsals for the upcoming concert.

Also, rehearsals have begun with the incoming rookies into the marching band. I get to spend some time with them doing marching basics.

Throw in a Tim McGraw/Faith Hill concert and the Race For The Cure and it makes for some very very busy times.

However, in the last week, I did get to read a book that I recommend to you all - The Da Vinci Code. Maybe, you've read it since it's been out there for some time. But, I found it an absolutly fascinating read. Excellent writing!!!!!

I get to have a day out of the office on Friday as I'll be on a field trip performing with the woodwind ensemble.

Hopefully, this weekend will be a chance to relax, clean the apartment and catch up on everything I've been putting of.