PLN Week 7 Post #2

This is a review of a program called Theta Music and it talks about all of the great things the program has to offer.  Games and activities for the students and special features for teachers are offered.




http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/6773900

PLN Week 7 Post #1

This was an article about teaching the fundamentals and basics in a music classroom.  It talks about helping students to reach their goals and helping them to learn and experience as much as they can in music.  It talks about making music a life long love and a life long learning experience.



http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/6812291

Week 6 PLN Post #2

I found this to be very inspiring!  I have worked with handicapped children in all of my jobs over the years and they are so full of life and willingness to learn.  I thought this was a real success story. 

http://www.music-for-music-teachers.com/autistic-clarinet-student-got-to-intermediate-level-even-did-three-successful-exams.html

Week 6 PLN Post #1

I found this article reviewing a site that has a capella vocal music that can be purchased.  It provides the latest and greatest pieces of contemporary vocal music (A capella).  It also has a way that you can have pieces arranged just for your group.  These items can be provided for musicians at affordable prices.

http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/6737028

PLN Post 2 Week 5

I love jazz music and Duke Ellington is one of my favorites.  This article goes a little bit into his band members and thier improvisational skills.  There are some short videos and explanations of the different musicicans in the band. 


http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2011/04/13/135317116/dukes-men-ellingtons-loyal-improvisers?ft=1&f=1107

PLN Post 1 Week 5

Classroom management is important in any educational setting and it should be vital in any classroom.  I found this article with some helpful tips.  This is a subject that has been on my mind lately since we are having some school-wide issues in this area.


http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/5-killer-classroom-management-tips/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SoYouWantToTeach+%28So+You+Want+To+Teach%3F%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

PLN Week 4 (2)

This caught my attention and really made me think.  How often do I send home a note or call because a student did something great?  I know the answer for myself is not very often.  Sometimes we put too much focus on the negative we forget to praise our students for what they do well.  It is just a nice reminder. 






http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/6542014

PLN Week 4 (1)

I found this talk by Sir Ken Robinson and I found it very interesting.  It really made me think about the schools we have today and what we are leading our students to do.  I want to make sure I nurture the creativity of my students and help them to build a brighter future.  It covers all of the "Fine Arts" but most of all it deals with creativity. 






http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Bicycle Built for Two

Here is my link to my piece "A Bicycle Built for Two"





http://www.noteflight.com/scores/view/649006f773194099bd0ded4f413b7d7129600157


My initial reaction to this program was good.  I really found this program easy to use and easy to explore.  I did not think the tutorials were quite as detailed as the ones for our MuseScore project, but I still enjoyed using the program.  I would love to see what other perks you get with the crescendo upgrade, but for a free software I thought it was excellent.

I think this has a lot of uses in education.  I know that I can use this program to write warm ups and enter different accompaniments for playback purposes.  I could see the uses for arranging and writing out parts for my classes.  I really like the fact that it is free and Internet based.  I could have my classes meet and work in the computer lab.  I could have them compose and arrange their own works.  With the proper equipment this program could be used for listening exercises and even score study. 

This program would be very beneficial in any music classroom with any age student.

Week 3 post 2

I found this article on the aspects of merit pay for teachers to be intersting.  Many of the schools in my district are involved in the TAP program which rewards teachers for positive performances in the classroom.  I have also come across some information saying our state is trying to base all teacher raises and pay scales on their teaching performances.  I thought I would share this. 




http://www.thomasjwestmusic.com/apps/blog/show/6434773

Week 3 post 1

I found this performance and talk on breathing and the human voice.  I found it very interesting.  Claron McFadden has a beautiful voice and she is a talented musician.  She also explores contemporary music and talks about interpretation of a piece.  She truly shows the capabilities of the human voice. 




http://www.ted.com/talks/claron_mcfadden_singing_the_primal_mystery.html

PLN week 2 (2)

There is only an abstract for this article, but it seems like it would be a great read if you can get acess to it.  It talks about the expressivity of the conductor.  They studied whether the level of expressiveness had any affect on the views of the performance. 



http://jrm.sagepub.com/content/57/1/37.short?rss=1&ssource=mfr

PLN week 2

I found this video when I was working through my PLN.  I found it very interesting that she can teach us all how to listen, but she has no hearing.  She is such a talented musician and she is very insightful when it comes to sound.  I thought everyone might enjoy this.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/evelyn_glennie_shows_how_to_listen.html

Marcus Printup

This is an article and recording of trumpet player Marcus Printup performing with a harpist.  I am a trumpet player and I am always excited to hear trumpet performances.  I found it very interesting that this performance was accompanied by the harp.  There is a recording included.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/08/134359302/angels-play-the-harp-printup-plays-the-trumpet?ft=1&f=10002

Music Education: The Indispensable Core Subject Needed in the “21st Century

This is a post that I found written by Joseph M. Pisano at Grove City College.  He speaks about the importance of music instruction in the schools.  He explains how creativity is important in this days society and how it is a vital skill for our students to have.  Music helps to give students the complete skill set that they need to succeed.

http://leadingnotes.org/2011/02/15/pisano/

Jake Shimabukuro plays "Bohemian Rhapsody"

I found this video in my PLN and thought it was very interesting.  The ukelele is not an instrument that you hear very often.  I personally have never thought of it as such a diverse musical instrument.  Many people I have talked with do not take it very seriously, but I found this video proved otherwise. 

http://www.ted.com/talks/jake_shimabukuro_plays_bohemian_rhapsody.html

About me

I just thought I would take a moment to tell a little about myself.  I have a BME degree from Mount Union College (University of Mount Union).  I have been teaching music for 7 years now and I absolutely love what I do.  I have taught band, choir, and general music to students K-12.  My current position in Jr. High Band and HS Choir.  I teach in Darlington County, SC. We are a very rural and economically disadvantaged district, but we make it work.  I try to stay active singing and playing the trumpet in various performing groups around the area.  When I manage to have a little bit of free time I like to work out, go to the beach, garden, golf, and cookout with friends.