Syllabus for the 2007 Bach Project

So it's that time of the year again.

I am starting to focus on exactly how I want my students to go about learning their specific movements along with researching the historical and performance practice aspects. I think it is a huge step-up from last year (where I admit I was a bit disorganized in my presentation of the assignment) and hopefully the kids will agree too.



TheBachProject2007.doc



The reasons for this project I have stated many times before, but on a personal level this is some of the only music that I get so much joy out of hearing and teaching. It is simple, yet complex and once you have a pretty good understanding of it you can really take it into any direction you want.




If there are any resources that I left out that anyone would like to suggest by all means drop me a note.

CLP

The Importance of a Music Education

Recently I have run into some comments that honestly make me so angry I want to spit fire.
These comments have rolled off the tongues of parents, teachers, and even administrators. I am reposting a letter that I wrote to the teachers of one of the schools I frequent. I found it necessary to repost only because if you happen to be one of the people that think this way I hope you would reconsider your point of view.

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Hello All,

I just wanted to send out a note to you all on something you can help me with here at (*****). It is the middle of the school year, and in strings (and I'm sure in many other classes) attention is waning a bit. Some of it is due to the fact that it is becoming more of a challenge to produce a good sound (esp. with the bow), and some is just disinterest. I have heard many parents, teachers, and random people say things to me like, "It just isn't her thing", or even better " they realize that they are not going to be musicians."

Well to me to even entertain this idea is and can be damaging to a child not just in my class but in any other area where that child has to work a bit harder to get results. If a child doesn't read well, we don't assume that they will just become illiterate, no we push them to work on it and it will get better.

So to all of you I just ask that you encourage your students in music. It is not easy and honestly this bunch is way ahead of the other kids in the district (I make sure I keep tabs on the other programs too:-). When you hear kids, or parents making these statements please correct it.



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Please don't let ignorance bring you down, its just not cute :-)

Bahama Mama

At a recent gig in the Bahamas I had a chance to meet such a colorful group of Musicians...




All of us LADIES were brought together by one amazing larger than life chick,













and one high flying gent.






We had a chance to bask in the sun,






play with the locals,






and spy the fish.








On our opening nite, we certainly brought an air of elegance to the soiree ...everyone loved us.
















Did I mention this was a gig....



















Cello chicks hard at work




My roomie and the ice sculpture.