Lit up
The
Archive for December, 2019
Spreading Cheer
December 21, 2019Carol of the Bells in a Major Key
With guitars only and while spreading holiday cheer!
Penobscot Bay Ringers
December 18, 2019Chime Loan Program
In honor of its 10 Year Anniversary, Penobscot Bay Ringers established the first ChoirChime Loan Program in Mid-Coast Maine. The program is designed to bring the joy of handbell music to children while also teaching scales and chords, reading music, and working together to create joyful sounds and song.The first recipient of the funds in 2018 went to MSAD #40. Under the direction of music teacher Megan Rogers students in three schools are learning to play the bells. 
PBR hopes to add another set of Malmark ChoirChimes to the program so they can expand and make a yearly award of the program.
To learn more about the Chime Loan Program CLICK HERE.
‘Tis the Season
December 17, 2019Kindness all around
I love the holiday season; not because of the gift gifting so much but because there is a spirit of kindness in the air that compares to no other time of year.
Last Saturday I traveled to Augusta to the Veterans cemetery with three Sweetland School learners and a friend. For a couple of years I’ve considered going to Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. to participate in Wreaths Across America Day. Over 1,600 locations across the US, at sea and abroad participate. The mission of Wreaths Across America Day is to Remember our fallen US veterans, Honor those who serve and Teach your children the value of freedom.
I love knowing that the balsam fir wreaths are created and transported by tractor trailers from Downeast Maine. We arrived at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the pouring rain and found about 200 people crowded at the back of a tractor trailer; each person was handed a box of 9 wreaths.
The act of carefully placing a wreath at the head of every other gravestone, saying the deceased name out loud and having a quiet moment felt like the kindness act of the season. Time stood still each time we placed a wreath and said the person’s name. Needless to say I was so proud of the three young people who took the task seriously and ignored the buckets of rain that didn’t let up throughout. As we drove away there was a feeling of peacefulness throughout the landscape.
There are plenty of opportunities to perform acts of kindness during the holidays, alone or with a group. If possible involve young people in the act – we all know how important it is to be kind and to teach kindness. I think there’s no better way to teach it but by example alongside young people. I hope you’ll pause during the holiday and perform an act of kindness in some way. ‘Tis the Season’.
Congrats Jerry Barry!
December 16, 201950 directors who make a difference
Jerry Barry, who has been teaching music for 30 years, from Falmouth High School has been selected as one of ’50 Directors Who Make a Difference’ by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine (SBO).
Each year hundreds of music teachers are nominated by students, colleagues, musical instrument retailers, parents, administrators and friends. Nominations came from all states this year and educators were nominated because someone recognizes their hard work and dedication.
Each director is asked to share their proudest teaching moments, how they hope to make a difference in students’ lives, and most important lessons they try to teach their students.
JERRY’S STORY
What is your proudest moment as an educator?
There is not one single “ah-ha” moment, but what I am most proud of is that students in the Falmouth Music Program feel respected and valued as musicians and that their efforts in the performing arts matter, both within our school and the larger community. The music program is important in the town of Falmouth and it enjoys broad support from parents, teachers, and administrators. Students have a place and a space to excel as performers. The success of the K-12 music department is due to an engaging, active, purposeful collaboration of the district’s performing arts teachers supporting the education of our great students who are highly motivated and eager to learn.
How do you hope to make a difference in your students’ lives?
I hope to engage the students in a way that is enjoyable, meaningful, and encouraging to them and their effort to learn. I make a consistent effort to connect individually with the young person trying to play well on their instruments, now and in the future. They want to succeed. I strive to learn about them and their interests beyond band. Most often a bit of humor in class works really well. When there is a fun atmosphere, it promotes a positive student/teacher relationship, and then the teacher can more easily help the students connect to the content – performing music!
What’s the most important lesson that you try to teach your students?
Personal improvement is what matters most. No matter who you are or what you are doing, people should always strive to do their best …to be a bit better tomorrow. Start with where you are, dig in, persevere, and keep moving forward. Swimmers and runners try to be just a little bit faster each time they go out. Not everyone wins, but the goal is “personal best”. There is an opportunity for everyone to provide their own unique contribution to their ensemble.
Bach at the Dog Shelter
December 15, 2019Professional violinist
Martin Agee has been a professional violinist for 30 years – his most favorite audience are animals at a local dog shelter where he volunteers is time.
me arts ed 