Alas, we approach the end of summer, days of long light, greenery, fresh sweet fruit, empty highways and back streets, no coats or boots, and a more relaxed pace, when possibilities of "free time" seemed unlimited! Time to start keeping on schedule, remembering where you stashed your cold weather clothes, and thinking ahead to the busy fall/winter holiday season!
As a short sweet farewell to summer, here are the responses from 636 MENC members who responded to MENC's August Question of the Month question, asking: What did you do this summer?
68% traveled
66% read!
63% hung out with family/friends/kids
55% prepared for next year's teaching
54% practiced music for myself (for fun, to keep up chops, to learn new music for self, etc.)
53% performed music for fun/volunteer
44% worked in the yard/garden/outdoors
43% exercised more
43% veged out
35% performed music for pay/work
33% taught music for pay
32% outdoor pursuits (hiking, boating, fishing, sailing, biking, swimming, etc.)
32% took classes/courses/workshops for professional development credit towards teaching/music education
22% took classes/workshops for enhancing my music/teaching skills, but not necessarily for credit
18% OTHER
13% taught music voluntarily
12% participated as actor/singer, instrumentalist, director, conductor, or behind the scenes in community, children's, or professional theater
10% took classes for my own personal interest or development, not music ed related
10% worked for pay at a non-music job
7% volunteered at a non-music job
5% learned a new hobby/skill
5 % got married or other life/family event
We'll be posting the responses to the remaining QOM responses for August on the MENC website soon! Those responses answered these questions:
What will be your biggest challenge this coming school year? What do you hope/think will be the best thing about the new school year? Any new or on-going goals you're hoping to meet with your music classes?
We also asked respondents to list top musicians/ensembles they'd recommend music students LISTEN to, regarding a particular instrument (voice included), technique or quality, or piece of music, as an example of "this is what we're trying to teach you", "this is a great example of what it's all about!". We'll post that listening list as well!
In the meanwhile, please read about how scientists believe PERFECT PITCH now is attributed to ONE gene!
And, about Music in New Orleans:
Tough Times for New Orleans Musicians
New Orleans Music Scene after Katrina, two years later
Happy Labor Day weekend and GOOD WISHES for the school year!
See you next week! SR
