Teaching the "Wire Choir"

Cool Cello

dlewis — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:01:14 +0000

I saw this video on the Cellomania blog and had to repost it. Hmm, I wonder what it sounds like?

Pablo Casals Video

dlewis — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:38:18 +0000

I was perusing the web looking for some videos to show my students and I came across this mini-documentary of Pablo Casals. The first part is narrative and provides some background, but the greatest part follows. He is shown in a brief segment working with an adult student. Casals’ comments are quite interesting as is listening to the difference between his playing and that of his very accomplished student.

The most intriguing part of this video is Casals’ performance of the Bach Cello Suite #1 in G. He is at this time 77 years old and his performance is amazing. While the video and the audio are not in sync, the quality of both is very good. Casals is a study in posture and position, fluidity and musicality.

This is from Google video and there is a button so that you can download this on your computer in the format for your Ipod. Here is a link so that you can go directly to the page and download it, if you want. Enjoy!

Negligent Blogging

dlewis — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:56:43 +0000

Unfortunately and very obviously, I’ve been very negligent with my blog this fall. As is the case for music teachers (and teachers in general), things have been very busy. This fall, we have had Solo and Ensemble for orchestra students, All-County auditions for chorus and orchestra, All-State auditions for chorus and orchestra and preparing for our Winter Concert. Next up is our annual state music conference (a chance to recharge), All-County rehearsals and performance, followed by Festival for both chorus and orchestra. Oh, and after Christmas vacation, we start our beginning groups.

I’m not in any way complaining about the schedule. After all, I signed up for this. When I can’t do everything I want to do, it helps to remember why that is so. I am hoping that after a week of R&R for Christmas, I can write down a couple of thoughts for your consideration and input.

To all who labor hard in the field of teaching, whatever your subject area, I hope you take a few moments (better take at least a couple of days) to rest and recharge if at all possible. Your work may not be praised or even recognized by many right now, but in the years to come your students will remember your efforts and the impact you had on their lives.

Merry Christmas!

Music Education Blogs Reaching a Milestone

dlewis — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:49:45 +0000

Almost a year ago, at our state Music Education convention, I attended a seminar at which Dr. Joseph Pisano was the presenter. His topic was Web 2.0 and its use in Music Education. He also talked about his goal of seeing 100 Music Ed blogs by the end of 2008. Well, that goal is rapidly becoming a reality. According to Dr. Pisano, the number of music ed bloggers has reached 95. Joel, at soyouwanttoteach.com, has also put together a partial timeline of these 90+ blogs. Check both of these posts out!

If you are a music educator, consider joining the group. For more information, go to mustech.net.

Giving Thanks

dlewis — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:08:19 +0000

It is Thanksgiving Day. One of the things for which I am thankful, is the privilege of being a teacher. I appreciate being able to have an impact on young lives. Not only do I have the opportunity to share my love of music with coming generations, but to share much more with my students. We who are teachers are also helping our students learn how to live life. The lessons about life do not come from our lessons plans, method books, etc., but from how we live before them and how we help them confront the challenges and opportunities in their own lives.

A New Host

dlewis — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:37:19 +0000

I’ve added a new experience to my list of computer/internet related ventures, I have successfully moved my blog to a new host. A couple of hours last night and an hour or so this morning took care of it without any major hassles. Admittedly, moving Wordpress isn’t too difficult, especially when you’re keeping the same domain name. Nonetheless, I had to redirect my domain name to new nameservers and transfer the files and the databases for two blogs.

Why the move? The main reason is that with my new host I have more space and bandwidth at a lower price. My former hosting company was prompt with service requests, etc. However, dollars do count, especially when I hope to add more sound and video files as time goes on. Also, my former hosting service servers were slow and it often took a while for my pages to appear. With as light-weight as my blog is, that shouldn’t be the case.

Who is my new host? I’m now using BlueHost.com. I’ll let you know how they work out.

Video Explaining Web 2.0

dlewis — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:55:21 +0000

This video has been around for a while, but it is still a good explanation of Web 2.0. Enjoy!

El Sistema: Why not in America?

dlewis — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:22:11 +0000

During a time when music in American public education is an oft endagered component, Jason Heath’s Double Bass Blog April entry highlighting the 60 Minutes segment on El Sistema and the Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra was very refreshing. I cannot imagine anyone not being very glad for the positive impact this music program is having on the impoverished young people of Venezuela. This orchestra program enables the Venezuelan young people see that there is an alternative to poverty through hard work and discipline. It shows them that there are constructive ways to express the many kinds of human emotions. In addition, the imagination, creative thinking music engenders can enable these young people to excel in a variety of fields outside of music. (See Sir Ken Robinson’s talk, entitled “Do schools kill creativity?” He refers specifically to music and arts relationship to the needs of the 21st century and future job opportunities.)

Why do we have such a hard time convincing school administrators, legislators, et. al. of the powerful impact music can have on a child’s life? What do you think?

(Related BBC Article: Venezuela youths transformed by music (2005)

Wordpress Theme Problem, Sorry!

dlewis — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:32:18 +0000

My prior theme was not playing nicely with Wordpress 2.51 on the "back-end" of my blog. So, I’ve changed to another theme for the short-term. Thanks for your patience!

Scala: A Rockin’ String Quartet

dlewis — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:35:03 +0000

I came across a video of Scala on John P.’s One Man’s Blog. Scala is a string quartet recently featured on Britain’s Got Talent. You will certainly recognize the faces on the panel if you watch any of the American talent shows. This may be something to show your string students and let them see some of the possibilities for string instruments. They are not as limited as some might have you believe.