Friday, January 14, 2011

The Heart Of A Teacher

I received an email this morning from Mac Anderson ~ Founder, Simple Truths ~ about a wonderful book entitled "Heart of a Teacher" by Paula Fox.  During the past 39 years of honing my skills and career as a professional musician, Music Director, owner of Starbound Studios, and teacher, this excerpt struck a particular chord with me.  I strive to walk in these shoes.

I too was privileged to have an extremely influential teacher who paved the way for me to grow into the person I'm becoming today, and tomorrow, and the next day...  her name was "Miss Parker".  She was my high school music teacher.  I have long since lost track of her, but what she 'taught' me was much more than music, and will last a lifetime -- mine, and my students.  She made my modest musical abilities seem, and feel, very special, for that I will always be grateful.  As an adult, with a musical career that I've loved, the only regret is that I've been unable to locate her to thank her and tell her how much she meant to me and how much "more" she taught me than just the love of music.

So, on a personal note, if anyone out there knows a, formerly named, "Miss Parker", who taught music at Westway High School, who loved to sing and play the piano, the "Beatles" was her favorite specialty, who married and had, at least, one child, and lived in a beautiful, secluded, log cabin at one time, please let her know I dedicate this article and reference to her, a very special lady.  I would love to reconnect with her.

~ To Miss Parker ~ From the bottom of my heart, a very special Thank You, Thank You, Thank You ~

"Paula Fox's a teacher with 35 years experience teaching and leading all ages from preschool through adult. Her book, Heart of a Teacher is an inspirational masterpiece! The stories, the quotes and Paula's beautiful original poetry will grab the heart of any teacher, or anyone whose life has been influenced by a teacher.  Today, I'd like to share the beautiful true story about Mark Eklund, which was written by Sister Helen Mrosla. I'm betting it's one you won't forget!"

Click on the link below to read
An Excerpt from the book
"The Heart of a Teacher" by Paula Fox https://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/12d7f76c4bf05f23


Mac Anderson ~ Founder, Simple Truths

MAC ANDERSON is the founder of Simple Truths and Successories, Inc., the leader in designing and marketing products for motivation and recognition. These companies, however, are not the first success stories for Mac. He was also the founder and CEO of McCord Travel, the largest travel company in the Midwest, and part owner/VP of sales and marketing for Orval Kent Food Company, the country's largest manufacturer of prepared salads.

His accomplishments in these three unrelated industries provide some insight into his passion and leadership skills. He also brings the same passion to his speaking where he speaks to many corporate audiences on a variety of topics, including leadership, motivation and team building.

Mac has authored or co-authored twelve books, which have sold more than 3 million copies. They include: 212°...The Extra Degree, Change is Good...You Go First, You Can't Send a Duck to Eagle School, The Power of Attitude, The Essence of Leadership, The Nature of Success, The Dash, Charging the Human Battery, Finding Joy, Customer Love, Motivational Quotes and Learning to Dance in the Rain.

For more information, visit http://www.simpletruths.com/


How To Choose A Professional Music Instructor

By Music Masters Canada

Choose a Teacher


You’ve chosen your instrument, and the genre (kind of music). Now what? How do I FIND A MUSIC TEACHER? You’re in the right place.

A good teacher is worth their weight in gold. They will help you to discover if your choices are right for you.

7  THINGS to do, ask, consider:

Talk by phone. Ask their level of training and experience.

Ask them their expectations, and tell them yours.

Ask for references. Two is good.

Ask for their cancellation policy.

Ask for their payment policy.

Ask about guests sitting in on lessons on occasion. (FYI: Most will allow it occasionally, but probably won’t encourage it on a regular basis, as it’s distracting for the student.)

Meet ’n Greet, and trust your instincts. If it’s not a good fit, then move on to the next one...



Brenda McDooling Duce
Music Director, Starbound Studios
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Photo Copyright 2010 Starbound Studios
http://musicmasterscanada.com/?page_id=19



Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Very Cute ~ Fun Canine Piano Performance (MSN Video)


Amazing Canine Piano Performance

Fido howls out a classic ballad with some beautiful piano accompaniment.
Date: 11/01/11
Views: 6995


More Piano Puppies

Sir Islye Titian Duce
Lady Shandy Charday Duce

Starbound Studios Annual Awards Concert



~ Piano Puppies ~ By B Mc D ~ Starbound Music Studios ~

Created about 1 month ago by Brenda Duce
This video has had 240 views
Artist: Blue Moon Boys
Song: Santabilly Boogie
Christmas 2010

Piano Puppies Lady Shandy Charday Duce
Miss Ebony Crystal Duce
Starbound Studios
November 12, 2010
Photos Copyright 2010 B Mc D Starbound Studios

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Music Teachers' Creed

The Music Teacher's Creed
By John Jacobson


Copyright 2011 Starbound Studios
Music is our tongue for truth, A door to the inner Light that Guides our souls.  It is behind us, before us, within us.  It is our work, our health, our essential.  Music is the tool we use to help others feel that there is something Greater around them and in them.  It helps us discover a heart that can love, a mind that can reason, a sympathy that understands.

Hence, I will be honest in my teaching so others can trust me.  I will be strong.  I will be brave.  I will be a friend to the friendly and the friendless.  I will eat well, sleep well and laugh easily.  I will lift others up.  I will look and listen for things around me that merit praise.  I will look and listen for hidden beauties in my students and my peers.  I will toss harmony onto the world.  I will live.  I will give.  I will be, music.

I will use music to help others to hear as well as to listen, and to listen and to undertand.  I will use music to help others to feel as well as touch, to laugh more, cry more, share more, see more,
not just to exist but to live... more.
 
I will use music to help others to be true and to see merit in the cause.  I will keep my standards high but my eyes closed to the small faults of those around me.  I will be an "instrument of peace" and joy and light, and I will help others find genuine joy in each and every day and peace with the impossible.

I will cultivate courage, hope, truth, honesty, kindness, strength, perseverance, compassion, gentleness, discipline, dedication, pride humility, wisdom and most of all love.  I will use music to teach that making a living is not nearly so rewarding as making a life.  I will use music to help others to look up instead of down.  I will use music to encourage a yearning for elegance rather than luxury, refinement rather than fashion, wealth rather than riches, giving rather than taking, life rather than resignation.

I will teach them joy.  I will teach them hope.  I will teach them to be great.  I will use beautiful music to make all ever more beautiful, And I will teach all with whom I come in contact, to let their very life be music.

Copyright 2006 Hal Leonard Corporation
As published in the August/September 2006 edition of Music Express



Sunday, January 9, 2011

Happy Birthday Elvis


ELVIS!


 

 

 

Biography

Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.

Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager.

In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture...

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Red Piano

Kirkus Reviews finds ‘The Red Piano’ beautiful

A nice, positive, preview of The Red Piano from U.S. review source Kirkus Reviews:

It’s 1975 in Communist China.  For five years, a young girl has endured manual labor, filth and hunger in exile at a re-education camp.

But tonight she will engage, once again, in an illicit act, the playing of the piano.  In a place where musicians are criminals, she risks it all and is caught.

The piano is smashed.  Her sentence is lengthened – yet the music lives on.  Based on international concert pianist Zhu Xiao-Mei’s life, Leblancs' story gives insight into the Cultural Revolution and its impact. The text may be heavy-handed at times, but the story is ripe for discussion, with themes of self-expression and freedom, the affirmation of the individual through art and music as a form of resistance.  Dazzling collage, pencil and paint illustrations from Barroux create a beautiful chiaroscuro of tension and release.  Well-controlled expressive marks portray the young musician’s isolation.  The limited palette of black, white and red-the latter of which is used to create a sense of intensity-is evocative of Communist China propaganda. A worthy and beautiful tale for historical and cultural studies.  Picture book for ages 6 & up will apparently be available January 2011.