me arts ed

Why Music? Back to School PSA’s

Recently Sam Moore-Young, president of Maine Music Educators Association, forwarded information on the latest PSA’s created for the Fall 2009 school year by the National Association for Music Education (MENC).

Joshua Redman

These are radio PSA’s created by celebrated musicians who explain the importance of music education. The Back to School 2009 new artists included this year are:

• Joshua Redman
• Martha Wash
• Lew Soloff
• Anne Drummond
• Steven Van Zandt
• Mark O’Connor

Bonnie Raitt

Returning artists include: Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, Al Jarreau, Kathy Mattea, Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams, Patty Loveless, Janis Ian, Faith Hill, Chely Wright, Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt and others.

Please click here and arrive at the MENC page where you can read more and listen to the PSA’s.

Finally the farmers can mow the hay!

I was beginning to worry about the farmers and the weather. I love watching the field across from my home change with the seasons. My favorite is during the summer when the hay starts to grow, get lush green, fill with dandelions, yellow than white puffy flying around in the breeze. And the first cutting of hay, the second and third.

When my sons were younger they spent time in the field as the hay grew, hiding from each other and my husband and I. We’d always have a cookout with friends after the first cutting so they could run through the field and play baseball.

During a great summer the field is mowed three times, twice is always a sure bet. But it doesn’t look like that this summer. The first cutting happened on August 15th. And I still worry about the farmers.

But, on the other hand I think about the field as a classroom. The mowing is like cleaning out. Looking at curriculum, assessments and ask, is it time to mow? Time to align curriculum to align with the 2007 Maine Learning Results? Time to create a document that is ready for 21st century students? Time to create one that is a working document and not something that just sits on the shelf?

As you travel back to school, think about how this year will be different? Will you be on the tractor and ready to go when the kids walk through the door? If you need assistance please go to the Maine Department of Education Arts Ed webpages and see what is available.

Over 2000 participated in the live discussion today with Secretary of Education

If you couldn’t join the live discussion today with the Secretary of Education or did not know the event was taking place, the taped phone call is available. There were over 1500 people joining today.

The call was sponsored by NAMM and Support Music. Please take 45 min. to listen to the Secretary of Education and respond with your comments.  For the mp3 of the phone conversation please click here. You will also find the letter Secretary Duncan wrote about the importance of arts education.

Couple plays the piano!

A 90 year old couple, married for 62 years were captured on video playing Old Grey Bonnet on a piano at the Mayo Clinic. A real testament to the importance of music in peoples lives. The smiles on Marlow and Frances Cowan’s faces are wonderful. At one point I thought Mr. Cowan was going to dance right off the floor.

You can hear their duet below and see an interview with them and hear their story by clicking here.