MENC Leadership Sets New National Conference Schedule

Check out the announcement on the MENC Web site "News Stand."

Harley's take in his world

Harley just read the post from April 4 that we may be back. News to him, but hey, the little guy is ready to go after have been on a cruise. He is all rested now and is missin' everyone......

Hello, is anyone out there? Is the world still listening? Oh oh..... Harley thinks he is hearing voices OR is it music?

Who knows.... maybe -- maybe not! Better question, who will find this post....

Stand by...

We may be back in the future!

The Last One -- Bye Bye

Today is the last staff blog. A decision was made to end the one-year old Blog on its one year anniversary! Harley has loved sharing his life with you all but it is now time to say, "see you later."

Since four of our five bloggers will be writing for the newly designed MENC web page to be previewed at the upcoming Milwaukee National In-Service Conference, they really really don't have time to also post on the MENC Staff Blog -- and I'm pretty certain you all don't want to only hear from Harley. So Harley along with the other four bloggers wish you all a very happy St. Paddy's day. I am sure at some point in your travels you will run into Harley as well as the other four!

We have LOVED posting for you each week and we will miss you. But, hey, you can always pick up the phone and give us a call! If you like, you can also leave us a comment below. We are not blowing up the site just yet! Harley likes to blow stuff up every once in a while. I know that does not surprise you! Happy Trails to you - until we meet again. Happy Trails to you - keep singing until then......... Happy Trails to you - till we meet again!

:-)

Happy Friday, music education lovers! Today, I leave you with nothing more than the lyrics to one of my all time favorite songs ... and a wonderful tribute to life, and to all things music.

Enjoy!


Sir Duke - by the great Stevie Wonder

Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
But just because a record has a groove
Don't make it in the groove
But you can tell right away at letter A
When the people start to move

They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people
They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people

Music knows it is and always will
Be one of the things that life just won't quit
But here are some of music's pioneers
That time will not allow us to forget
For there's Basie, Miller, Satchmo
And the king of all Sir Duke
And with a voice like Ella's ringing out
There's no way the band can lose

You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people

You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people

You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people

You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
I can feel it all over-all over now people

Can't you feel it all over
Come on let's feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
Everybody-all over people


Good times are ALWAYS just around the corner -- take care everybody! :-)

Thursday Interlude: Need I Say More?

Hmmm. It's Thursday, isn't it? Happy WLC Day! I hope you were able to participate in the World's Largest Concert. I just returned to my office from a staff screening of the 2008 WLC DVD.

Loved it. Really creative staging of songs, from "Music Rocks" to "Hallelujah, Get on Board," to "Fangaa Alafia." When you see kids enthusiastically participating in an event like that you know an energetic music educator is somewhere orchestrating what they do.

NS on our staff here.does such a good job of directing the WLC project for MENC members.

Anyway, with the Vernal Equinox next Thursday, spring officially arrives, but you and I both know it's already spring. (Or I hope is comes soon where you are). My son made it through tryouts for the junior varsity baseball team at his school and in the past couple of weeks, I have seen what beehives high schools can be. Kids playing lacrosse and tennis and baseball, running track.

And then toward the end of last week, his high school also hosted the district orchestra festival, so as sweaty kids headed from the field to the locker room they shared the doors that led into the building with violinists and cellists in dress attire.

It reminded me how great a high school can be for kids, no matter what their interests. A friend in my book club also has a high school freshman and her son, not a musician or an athlete, has found friends and a niche in robotics and animee. Like a variety of restaurants in a shopping mall food court, good high schools offer an array of choices, something to tempt most kids into creating a fuller life inside and outside the classroom.

Well, gotta go. I am working ahead on May Music Educators Journal as well the revamped news we will be able to provide you on the MENC Web site EWL described earlier in the week. Now that will rock.
Til next Thursday,
RF

MMMM 52: Spring Again! Bouquet of Resources....

SPRING AGAIN! (nearly!)
One year ago next week, the MENC bloggers began this journey into blogdom.....my first post was 3/21/07.....

As EWL mentioned yesterday, we're all gearing up for the NEW MENC WEBSITE....lots to do, and we hope members will like it. There are going to be some great things on there......! Check back in mid - April!

A new report by the Dana Foundation is just out......it may help bolster the discussion on the importance of the arts, discussing how training in the arts might contribute to improved general thinking skills for children and adults. See the write up about the report in EDUCATION WEEK
And here is the actual 146 page pdf report: Insights Gained Into Arts and Smarts

As a way to commemorate a full year of MENC blogging, below I revisit a few favorite sites/entries that have appeared in the Wednesday Midweek Meanderings and Miscellany......I think they're worth a second look.....! I also add a few (just a few!) additional personal favorites for all you arts education fans.

Have a good week, and Happy Music Making! SR (scroll on!)

GREAT MUSIC EDUCATION BLOG, tech oriented, but other issues too:

SEE Catalysts and Connections

Exhibit revives musicologist's work, and African-American Music believed to be forgotten:

see this ARTICLE

America Sings! inspires young people involved in the arts to use their time and talents to help others - see their WEBSITE

Read about American Sings! upcoming participation at the April MENC Biennial Conference in Milwaukee! See their NEWSLETTER

Rock and Roll: Steven Van Zandt, MENC, and Rock 'n Roll Forever Foundation; rock lives on in high school curriculum! Click HERE and HERE

Kennedy Center's lesson plans and resources on ARTSEDGE

Music Alive: great music magazine for middle school/high school, comes with teachers guide and cd, monthly. Good resources on their website, too! SEE!

Sol y Canto, fabulous Latin group playing original and authentic music from Central and South America, the American SW, and Puerto Rico. Great songs, great vocals, great instrumentals, childrens' music, family friendly, sophisticated, playful and intelligent music!

see their WEBSITE

MMMM Blog of 11/14/07 revisits MENC Position papers, advocacy resources, and a short report on areas of concern to MENC music teachers. see this LINK

Pete Seeger inspired song book, RISE UP SINGING - for everyone!

Gov. Mike Huckabee addresses the MENC Centennial Conference, June 2007; see short recap of his talk HERE

Brilliant and inspiring singing from the African Children's Choir - see their WEBSITE

Dana Foundation's ARTS ED IN THE NEWS, a good source for periodic arts education news updates

Interested in the business of the music industry? Check out MUSICAL AMERICA

Making Music magazine (for anyone with a love of making music!). As their website says:
"information/instruction/Inspiration for the amateur musician. Read stories about music makers from all walks of life, learn about the latest medical research into the benefits of making music, discover tips to make you learn better...." see WEBSITE

and last but NOT least..........
our old friend of early MENC blog days, AMERICAN IDOL (even though I'm NOT watching it this year! (at least til the last 6 or so contestants!)