Around the World: The Food

This year, I planned an "Around the World" theme for my children's choir (1st-8th grade). As we approach the end of the choir year, I am planning an International Night/end-of-the-year party to celebrate!  Today's post is all about the food. There are lots of resources out there for creating colorful, party-friendly plates that represent flags from around the world.  Since that was the basis for my visual inspiration for the year, it worked out perfectly!  Many everyday food items are colorful by nature and with a little bit of creative presentation, the theme will come alive.

To make this relatively easy and kid-friendly, we decided to make homemade pizzas look like flags with green, red, and orange vegetables (think peppers, tomatoes, basil leaves, and pepperoni).  This way, everyone can bring a topping to share and the kids can have a hand in putting everything together.  Also, any topping leftovers can be used as a pre-dinner snack!

For dessert, there are always several options to choose from.  From cupcakes to cookies to fruit trays, the sky is the limit! I love the idea of sending a decorated cookie (like these) or a world lollipop home with each child as a favor.  What do you think?

Read more: Around the World: The Invitations Around the World: The Decorations Around the World: The Party

Teaching Inspiration: Marvin Blickenstaff

Two years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Marvin Blickenstaff at the New School for Music Study in Kingston, NJ.  I was in the second year of my masters at Eastman and was researching piano pedagogue and innovator, Frances Clark (Co-Founder of the New School) for a final project.  As part of my research, I visited the New School for several days, met with the faculty, observed lessons and classes, and experienced truly excellent teaching.  At the end of my first day, after observing a lesson with Marvin, I wrote this reflection:

Marvin Blickenstaff, and high school PEPS [Program for Excellence in Piano Study] student, Grace, were already in the midst of Chopin’s Etude in C Minor when I snuck in to observe.  Together, they identified the salient motives, determined the differences between the lines of each hand, rehearsed the rhythmic structure, and discussed Chopin’s individualistic thoughts on trills.  Similar to the other faculty members, Marvin sought answers from Grace by asking questions and engaging her in conversation about the music.  Comments such as, “Talk to me about the fingering in this scale” when working on the first page of the Pathetique Sonata and, “What are four ways you are going to practice this?” assessed Grace’s understanding and encouraged dialogue.

At the end of the second day, I observed one of PEPS group class with Marvin:

PEPS students meet in small rotation groups every few weeks and in a larger group class of eight students once per month, each an hour in length.  Currently, there are 24 students in the program.  Marvin began each class with scales, often asking two students to play in ensemble: one ascending and the other descending.  The students had end-of-the-year fluency goals posted in the room: 100-160, depending on age and ability.  Repertoire included Debussy, Clementi, a Mozart minuet (where Marvin led the students in an impromptu minuet around the room while singing words that fit the melody), a Bach invention, a concerto by Vandall, and lastly, Sibelius’ Romance, to which Marvin stated, “Begin warm, soft, calm, and with a feeling of moonlight. . . Music that is calm is even.”  Musical discussions included historical influences, theoretical considerations such as the importance of the cadential 6/4 progression, and phrasing decisions supported by careful pedaling.  Students were challenged in thought, touch, and sound.

These few days had a profound impact on my teaching.  I love reliving the experience through my notes and recollections of those lessons and classes.  I was thrilled to discover www.pianopedagogy.org last week – the NSMS’s newest venture!  Complete with teaching videos, tutorials, and a blog written by New School faculty, this website is a great source of knowledge and teaching inspiration.  Enjoy this glimpse of a lesson with Marvin as he coaches an early advanced student on Edvard Grieg’s “Notturno” at the New School:

Previously: Notes from the New School – Day 1 Notes from the New School – Day 2 Notes from the New School – Day 3

When Mondays Happen

I gave in to Monday pretty early in the game today.  I admit it.

• Perhaps it was the man who walked out in front of my car on the way to school this morning and DIDN’T EVEN TURN AROUND as I slammed on the breaks. 

• Perhaps it was having to bounce back and forth between my office (shared by other adjuncts and students taking make-up tests) and the conference room trying to get a little work done before class this afternoon. 

• Perhaps it was the student who didn’t show up for their lesson this morning.  Or perhaps it was 45 minutes later when I decided to take that phone call and within minutes, said student appeared, knocking on the door of the practice room where I was “hiding.”

The point is, I gave in.  This was not my timing.  Things were not going according to my plan for the day.  I was frustrated with myself and the people around me.

At some point in the afternoon, I realized the response to things not going as planned is not to give in or give up but simply to go with it.

Accommodate.  Adjust.  Revise.  Move on.

You know what happened after I made this mental switch? 

• I spoke with a student before class instead of meeting with her during my lunch break. 

• I got a sweet message from a friend. 

• I had great lessons with a 6- and 8-year-old brother/sister preparing for the upcoming recital. 

• My last student of the day canceled (not great in and of itself but it meant I got to leave early!). 

• I had cheese straws as a pre-dinner snack. 

• We received an unexpected, generous sponsorship for the WCMW. 

Suddenly, Monday wasn’t so bad after all.

Change your expectations.  Adapt.  Adjust your course of action or make a new course altogether.  Go with it and live today to its fullest potential.

April: Getting Organized

March sure did zip by but I welcome April with wide-open arms. 

I am so ready for the final month of classes, the Holy Week services at church (this week, oh my!), and the (promise of) warmer temperatures (note: 60 is not “warm,” folks). 

Here are a few of the things I have planned for the month:

Easter

This week is Holy Week.  That means choir rehearsal tonight, service tomorrow, and two services Sunday morning.  My goal: to get through this week (and all of this special music!) with grace and poise. 

Immortal love, forever full, forever flowing free. 
Forever shared, forever whole, a never ebbing sea…

Trip to Connecticut

It’s been on our calendars for a while now, but this is the month we get to spend a weekend (Friday/Saturday) in CT with Steve’s parents!  I can’t believe it’s been almost four months since our last visit!

WCMW

Only one month to go!  I am so excited about our series of events for this year and I am so grateful for the support of so many generous sponsors!  This month, I need to work on the program book (design, layout, ads), wrap up marketing (email blasts, print posters, postcards), and properly thank all of our sponsors (with handwritten thank you notes, of course!).

Choir Program

Last year, we put together a choir program (our favorite anthems from the year) for a Sunday afternoon in June.  This year’s choir program is tentatively set for early June so it’s time to begin planning!  This month, I need to put together a list of possible anthems.

Make Decisions

It’s time to do the hard work, buckle down, and make those personal and professional decisions that will keep me moving forward.  This is the month to make things happen.

Book Flights for Summer

We’re planning a trip down to the Great South this summer to visit family and friends and attend the Music and Liturgical Arts Week Conference at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina (so excited about this!). 

We registered for the conference and set tentative travel dates; this month, we need to book flights and a rental car and make this thing official! Side note: I just discovered yapta – a free service that not only compares flights but continues checking prices after you book.  In the event that the price changes, they notify you so you can claim an airline credit (if it qualifies).  Pretty nifty! 

Branding/Website

Last month, I had the opportunity to take part in a business and branding webinar presented by Making Brands Happen.  I learned so much about creating a strong, authentic brand for myself and building an identity to support it.  Now, I am tackling a few new items each week to continue moving forward in this process.  I love doing this work!

Exercise

Dear Main Street: It’s been a while since we shared 2-3 jogs a week.  Don’t worry – it’s not you, it’s me.  I promise I’ll try to do better this month.  Love, me. 

It’s not that we stopped exercising (we walk to the Post Office and back and forth to church multiple times a week) it’s just that jogging a few times a week in addition to our daily walks took our exercise routine to the next level. 

This month, I’d like to get back into that jogging habit.  Saturday morning – it’s a date!

Previously: March: Getting Organized

A Girl with Many Hats

As a musician, teacher, director, self-starter, etc., etc., I wear many hats. While I am certainly grateful for so many opportunities to work in music, it can be challenging to juggle multiple to-do lists, lesson plans, and professional responsibilities in a given week.  One of my goals for 2012 is balance: setting boundaries, giving my full attention to one thing at a time, and handling the day-to-day craziness with grace.  I am still working on this (read: Have you met me?  I am the QUEEN of multi-tasking!)  What I’ve learned, however is that trying to manage everything all at once can be is overwhelming and leaves me feeling under-prepared and very unbalanced.

Taking things one at a time, focusing on the task before me, making effective decisions, and moving forward one step at a time (rather than getting carried away) leaves me feeling much more in control, balanced, and empowered to do great things.

On a weekly basis, I am a piano teacher, a choir director, an adjunct professor, a pianist and organist, an artistic director, and a web designer (my latest self-taught venture).  This is not a 9-5 job.  Each requires 100% of me – my time, my energy, my creativity, my attention.  Confession: It is impossible for me to be all of these things at once.

My days are far from cookie cutter – things will always come up that distract me and vie for my attention.  The key (I’m learning) is to segment my time the best I can and to make choices that prepare for and support success.  Success does not mean being superwoman and doing the work of 10 men four days a week.  Instead, success means achieving that equilibrium of balance, control, and accomplishment… and learning to wear one hat at a time.

The Art of the Spiritual - Part III

Steve and I had great fun planning a presenting a short lecture recital on traditional African-American spirituals a few weeks ago.  Here is a video clip and a little bit of history on the third piece on our program, “Wade in the Water.”  Enjoy!

This familiar piece has two scriptural reference points.  First, it tells the story of Moses parting the Red Sea and leading the Israelites safely through on dry ground.  Second, in the New Testament, we read the story of the healing pool.  John 5:4 says, “For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.”  Again, the text seems to parallel the slaves’ yearning for freedom and for healing.  In fact, it has been suggested that this piece refers to the Underground Railroad.  Wading through rivers meant leaving fewer tracks and not leaving a scent to be traced (Gray, 2012).  The text reads:

Chorus: Wade in the water, Wade in the water, children. Wade in the water, God’s a-goin’ to trouble the water.

Verse: See that band all dress’d in white? God’s a-goin’ to trouble the water. The Leader looks like the Israelite, God’s a-goin’ to trouble the water.

Chorus

Verse: See that band all dress’d in red? God’s a-goin’ to trouble the water. It looks like the band dat Moses led. God’s a-goin’ to trouble the water.

Chorus

-- Resources: Gray, H. T.  Negro spirituals still resonate.  Myrtle Beach Online.  Accessed Wednesday, February 29, 2012.  http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/02/29/2688494/negro-spirituals-still-resonate.html.

The Art of the Spiritual - Part II

Steve and I had great fun planning a presenting a short lecture recital on traditional African-American spirituals a few weeks ago.  Here is a video clip and a little bit of history on the second piece on our program, “Deep River.”  Enjoy!

This lyrical piece symbolizes life after death and freedom for the Israelites in the Promised Land (see above).  A glimpse of a free life, this song may also have symbolized the slaves’ crossing of the Ohio River into the free states (Kimball, 2006).  The text reads:

Chorus: Deep river, my home is over Jordan, Deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground.

Bridge: Oh don’t you want to go To that gospel feast, That promis’d land Where all is peace?

Tag: Oh deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground.

The use of the word “campground” in the chorus is not a biblical reference; rather, it refers to a place where a religious “camp meeting” was held.  During the 19th century in the south, a campground consisted of a series of “tents” or cabins where people could cook and sleep and a centrally-located meeting house where worship took place.  The inclusion of this term in “Deep River” could signify the desire to worship freely.  In addition, the word “peace” is left unresolved as it leads into the tag ending – a symbol of unrest and a sense of a greater reality.

-- Resources: Kimball, C. (2006). Song: a guide to art song style and literature. Hal Leonard Corporation.

The Art of the Spiritual - Part I

Steve and I had great fun planning a presenting a short lecture recital on traditional African-American spirituals a few weeks ago.  Here is a video clip and a little bit of history on the first piece on our program, “Go Down, Moses.”  Enjoy!

The first spiritual to ever appear in print in 1861 (during the first year of the Civil War), this rhythmic, march-like piece tells the story of Moses petitioning to Pharoah of Egypt to free the Israelites from bondage (Burkholder et al., 2006).  The story, as recounted in the book of Exodus states, “And the Lord spoke unto Moses, go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me” (Exodus 7:16).  As one can imagine, African-American slaves in the American South could identify with this struggle for freedom from bondage and this spiritual likely became a song of hope (Burkholder et al., 2006).  The text reads:

Verse: When Israel was in Egypt’s lan’, Let my people go, Oppress’d so hard they could not stan’, Let my people go.

Chorus: Go down, Moses, ‘Way down in Egypt’s lan’, Tell ole Pharaoh, To let my people go.

Verse: Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said, Let my people go, If not I’ll smite your first born dead, Let my people go.

Chorus

A typical African musical feature, the element of call and response (Burkholder et al., 2006) is exhibited in the verses with the recurring line, “Let my people go!”

-- Resources: Burkholder, J. P., Grout, D. J., Palisca, C. V. (2006). A History of Western Music, 7^th Edition. W.W. Norton & Company: New York.

Making Concerts Happen

We had a great experience with our webinar, “Presenting Concerts in Your Local Community: Creative Ideas for Making Concerts Happen Anywhere” on Monday night!  Hosted by Polyphonic On-Campus, Steve and I used the WCMW as a case study to explore strategies and ideas for creating community-centered events.  We shared our personal insight in getting to know your community, evaluating your assets, getting funded, and creating opportunities.  Ready to make concerts happen in your local community?  Get started by watching our webinar presentation!

Sail Away from the Safe Harbor

We’ve all heard these words before: Just put yourself out there!” “You’ll never know unless you try.” “Get out there and make things happen!”

Often times, it’s just the kind of push we need to let go of our safety net and well, float or sink.  After all, “A ship in port is safe but that’s not what ships are built for,” Grace Murray Hopper reminds us.  And yet, we waiver.  We hesitate.  We doubt.  Why is it so hard to let go?

The unknown is hard to accept.  Undefined, uncharted change is challenging and just plain uncomfortable for those of us who feel perfectly content in the little box we’ve constructed for ourselves.  But I keep reminding myself that there is so much more out there.  The future holds an indefinite number of possibilities and opportunities if I am open to receiving them.  So often, my fears include failure, not being capable (i.e. not being good enough), and getting stuck.

How do I work past that?  Well, everyone fails.  Perfection is not the goal.   Excellence is the journey, not the destination.  Failure is something I need to accept as part of the learning process – the important part is learning from it and moving on.  Being capable doesn’t mean I will always have all the answers.  It means I will always do my best and again, I am willing to learn from my experiences.  Confession: I learn new things from my students all the time.  I learn how to be a better teacher, what works and what doesn’t, how people learn, how to better communicate my thoughts and ideas, and how to facilitate learning.  This constant growth fights my fear of getting stuck and becoming complacent.  It’s impossible to remain the same if you’re open to learning and growing with the changes in your life.

You were not made to be stationary.  You were made to go places, to do things, to make a difference, to set an example, to learn, to grow, to love, to give, to collaborate, to create, to invent, to explore, to dream, and to discover.  What are you afraid of?  Failure?  Losing?  Making the wrong decision?  Starting over?  Write them down.  All of them.  Fear cripples us if we allow it but to name your fears is to destroy them.  So NAME them.  Take each fear – no matter how great or small – and take action.  What do you need to accept?  What needs to change?  What can you learn?  Is this really something worth holding onto?  How would you feel without this fear in your life?  Fear stretches us, challenges us, and makes us stronger in the end if we choose to take action and eliminate it from our lives, piece by piece.

One of my favorite quotes wisely states, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.” – Mark Twain

You have far more potential within you than lies within the safety net you’ve constructed for yourself.  Free yourself from the confines of the safe harbor and set sail.  Explore, dream, and discover all that is waiting for you.