me arts ed

Maine Public Broadcasting Network

While at a reception for the Portland Symphony Orchestra on Monday night at City Hall in Portland I saw USM Associate Music Professor, Doug Owens. He shared with me the following information on The Portland Jazz Orchestra.

On Friday Night Jazz with Rich Tozier The Portland Jazz Orchestra performed at Husson University. This was great for those who could attend but even better is that the performance was filmed by the students of the New England School of Communications. And of course, the film is available online for everyone to access.

Thanks to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Husson University and the students of New England School of Communications for collaborating and making this happen. The students did a great job and you can click here to see and hear the Portland Jazz Orchestra. And, if you look closely you can see Doug in the back row on his trumpet.

The next performance of the Portland Jazz Orchestra is April 22, 8-10 PM at One Longfellow Square.

Visual Arts teacher Jim Small creates power point

While at the Blaine House last week for the Maine in Youth Excellence reception I ran into Jim Small with his student who had art work on display. It was a delight to speak to her and I could see the pride in Jim’s eyes as she told me of her plans. A sign of a true teacher as he stood quietly listening to her share her story.

Jim was also excited to tell me of his latest creation. “Why The Visual Arts?” is the title of the Power Point presentation Jim has created and is available for you to access and share with others. Jim wants others to use it where it fits when discussing with community members about the importance of the work that is being done in schools across Maine.

In the past Jim has created a podcast entitled: “Arts in the 21st Century”. It is posted on iTunes along with the word document of the text.

Jim’s contact address is small224@beeline-online.net. You may access the Power Point presentation by clicking here.

More about Jim… James K. Small is a 30+ year veteran teacher in Visual Arts education. He has taught grade levels 2 through high school. Small is currently teaching at Madison High School in Madison, Maine. He brings creative thinking skills and the creative process into the classroom, where he practices what he preaches every day. In 2005 Small was a nominee for Maine’s teacher of the year.  He has been an active proponent for the students in the state of Maine by supporting the validity and importance of the creative process, creative thinking, and creating.