Category Archives: Etcetera

letter to the legislature: music for all

Posted on May 12, 2012 by mllama4

R – My statement letter from 6 years ago for a bill that would repeal a provision that allowed a school administrative unit to delay adoption of the system of learning results in the performing arts, enabling only partial adoption of those standards. … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera | 1 Comment

letters to PCC: approaching our performance

Posted on May 5, 2012 by mllama4

R – So… how do we approach a “performance”? As we near the end of our rehearsals together, this is worth asking. How DO we approach performance? For me, it comes down to whatever our fundamental goal is, and unfortunately … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera | 1 Comment

chopped

Posted on April 11, 2012 by mllama4

R – I have some shows that I have set from time to time to digitally record on my TV (American Pickers anyone? Hello???). I’m home intermittently, so when I do get to be home and watch television, it’s nice to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Assessment, Etcetera, Programming | Leave a comment

talking shop

Posted on April 7, 2012 by mllama4

R – “Ostriches bury their heads in the sand.” No they don’t. Ostriches don’t bury their heads in the sand at all. I looked it up. When they feel threatened, they actually lay down on the ground and feign being … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Rehearsal | Leave a comment

the concert: audience as performer

Posted on April 2, 2012 by jpolberg

J – This video is from our January Grades 6-12 Combined Chorus Concert. About 3/4 of the way through our concert I had the Middle School and Upper School Choirs walk right into the audience and taught them all Freedom is Coming (a traditional African … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Etcetera, Performance | 2 Comments

melting pot

Posted on March 31, 2012 by mllama4

R – Scenario #1: An auditioned, balanced ensemble of like-minded, like-motivated singers with the same skill set, backgrounds, reference points and reasons for being in the ensemble. They share the same ideals and beliefs and those resonate through every minute … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Rehearsal | Leave a comment

the concert: – promoting music literacy #1

Posted on March 30, 2012 by jpolberg

J – This video contains the Sight Reading segment from the Lower School Concert in December. The audience joined me in an exercise very similar to the one the 4-5ers partake in weekly. WHY DO THIS? 1) TO TEACH THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Etcetera, Performance | 6 Comments

reading books: philosophical foundation (why)

Posted on March 24, 2012 by mllama4

R – I will always preach to every beginning teacher: know your complete philosophy of why you do what you do, and then let your actions – ALL of them – flow from that philosophy (why vs. what). Music teachers … Continue reading →

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risk taking

Posted on February 18, 2012 by mllama4

“Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?”                                           … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera | 4 Comments

the concert

Posted on February 11, 2012 by jpolberg

J – Yes, I know it’s a little late. I am feeling a little guilty about taking this long… but here it is. THE CONCERT! Of course most of you know- EVERYTHING that could go wrong in the couple of weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Performance | 1 Comment