A New Day.

Do you recognize the symbol above in the first picture? Kindermusik International used a similar symbol at conventions past with music = happiness, isn't so true that what we really feel is that music = love? Whether it's love for your students' eyes during class, love for memories you felt when you first heard a song, or love you feel when making music.

The pictures above are from an article featured in the New York Times. It showcases a band from Georgia, getting ready to march the Inauguration Parade next week and the challenges they've overcome to make this trip possible.

A new day is dawning in DC, and music is a big part of it.

Music for LIFE!

I saw an interview this week on "Charlie Rose" with Elliott Carter, the composer showcased above. Elliott turned 100 on Thursday. How did he celebrate? By debuting new music that he had composed! He writes every day. Simply amazing. His good beginning has never ended. Music brings happiness to his life even at the ripe age of 100.

Happy Birthday Elliott!

Click here for the NYTimes article.

Madison James Madison...

Cheer on my alma mater, James Madison University, and their marching band as they march on Thursday's Macy's Parade. They'll be on the air between 11am - 12pm EST on NBC.

I met my husband Tony while we were both students in the band - we'll be cheering on the MRDs from the streets of Manhattan.


Happy Thanksgiving!

A Radio City Christmas

I was in fifth grade when I first visited New York City with my father. It was a trip during the holidays and I quickly fell in love with the colorful windows, brisk walks in Central Park, ice skating, it was an amazing trip. On that trip we saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. Their symmetry, athleticism, and beauty cannot be matched. Combine that with Christmas music and it's a pretty amazing show.

Yesterday Tony and I decided to get tickets to this year's show. It's been 22 years since my first trip to NYC and it will be the first time he's seen the show. As we stood in the Art Deco lobby of Radio City Music Hall surrounded by gilded ticket booths that bring you back to a completely different era, we realized that the show will also transport us, to a happy holiday moment.

The Rockefeller Tree is making its way into Manhattan today. The Lord and Taylor windows are open. The skating rinks are filled with children twirling and laughing. The holidays are here!

Wishing you moments of escape this holiday season. Ones that are filled with music, loved ones, old memories, or the making of new ones.

A Good Beginning Never Ends

I'm beginning to return to normalcy following a 4-6 week period of team preparation for Kindermusik International's Convnention in Raleigh, NC.

As usual, the amazing moments were the many connections made with faces that we so infrequently see.

Social Networking was a big theme this year. So I'm committing to recommit to the blog! You'll also find a large contingency of Kindermusik Educators on Facebook, so feel free to join us there!

Minneapolis

It's a rare and special day when I'm able to see Kindermusik in action. So when Helen Peterson of Kindermusik of the Valley in Minneapolis invited me to attend her training event with local Minnesota Educators, I was delighted to come.

It was a whirlwind of a day (and a glimpse of the life of an Educator). Helen and I grabbed a cup of coffee at 8:30 and then headed downtown where she and Sherry Grimsby do absolutely amazing work, full of heart. You may remember the video that Molly McGinn made that featured Helen and Sherry (minute 5):



It was a full morning where Helen and Sherry reach over 80 children on a weekly basis. And after a morning of rocking babies, rubbing backs, galloping like horses, and falling like leaves we headed over to Helen's studio where she hosted a training event that was attended by 16 educators from across Minnesota.

At the end of the event, Helen and I watched the last performance of the year of the Burns High School Marching Band where her children are in the drumline (it's her daughter's senior year).

It was a day filled with new friends and music, who could ask for anything more!

Join Kindermusik on Facebook!

Click here to join Kindermusik International on the growing community of Facebook. Educators, Employee Owners, Friends, and Families are forming a social community now!

Maintaining a Steady Beat

Do you think this little guy went to Kindermusik?

Thanks for the find Sarah!

Our Kindermusik Friend, Daniel Levitin

About a year ago, at Kindermusik International, we were heavily anticipating a convention that featured "This is Your Brain on Music" author Daniel Levitin. Well, he's back with a new book!

The Seattle Times quotes Daniel in saying, 'Music has "been with humans since we first became humans. It has shaped the world through six kinds of songs: friendship, joy, comfort, knowledge, religion, and love." The book then devotes a chapter to each song type, blending neuroscience, evolutionary biology, social anthropology, musicology and conversations with contemporary musical greats such as Sting and Joni Mitchell, who seem as enthralled with the author's six-songs thesis as he is.'

I couldn't agree more with Levitin in admiring the power of music I often think back upon my life and remember specific songs attached to the moment.

A very nice segue to say that I'm greatly looking forward to this year's Convention in a few short months. Are you registered?!?

Wishing You a Colorful Day!

I was reminded last night about the great Bravia ad campaign. It features music of Jose Gonzalez, Rolling Stones, and others. And also features brilliant colors...

“If you dream as big as you can dream, anything is possible.”

Beijing!

An estimated four BILLION people will tune in tonight to the Beijing Opening Ceremonies. I've Tivo'd the evening because I don't want to miss a minute!

Above is a beautiful picture from New York Times showing a performance of drummers during the Opening Cermonies.

Hello to Sarah Peel Li and all of our Kindermusik Educators in China! We are so excited to see your home over the next few weeks!

YEA: Youth Education in the Arts

One might say that Kindermusik is Youth Education in the Arts, but there is a stellar group, YEA, that runs the Cadets Drum Corps, a competitive marching band made of students under the age of 21. These groups compete all summer, practice a grueling show 7 days a week, all in the pursuit of perfection.

My husband marched with them when he was in college. He joined some of his friends last weekend for an amazing show in Allentown, PA. His friends, Cory and Kurt are bass drum alumni and this group (50+) traveled from across the US for this memorable reunion:




Mira! El Sistema en Venezuela



Watch this when you have 12 minutes and a box of tissues. (to view the presentation in larger screen, simply click on the icon with rectangles in the bottom of the viewer)

Rockabye Baby!

I noticed these CDs at my friend's shop in Brooklyn. If you haven't heard about them yet, Rockabye Baby rearranges rock tunes that Mom and Dad love into very pleasant music designed for little ears!

Visit the website to listen, you'll never think of Green Day the same way!  What do you think about a reverse plan to turn Kindermusik into rock albums!?!

"Let's Wake Up and Do This!"

LOVE this article in New York Times today. It features high school students who save their hard-earned money to come to summer band camp at Florida A&M.

Imagine if each of us woke up with such vigor and brought that to our families, workplace, and Kindermusik classes.

I think I could learn a thing or two from these kids.

1,2,3,4 Chickens Just Back From the Shore

Thanks Sarah for sharing this delightful video of Feist on Sesame Street (which by the way, is filmed in my neighborhood!)

Summer Fun!

Yippee! I'm headed to vacation with my family. I haven't vacationed with my parents in years - should be a Blast! And although we don't have little ones in our extended family, I hope we have this much fun!

Hope you're enjoying your summer - don't forget the SPF!

Parenting meets the iPhone

A new day has dawned.

Meet Birth Buddy - an easy way to track contractions and send e-mails to interested family members.

I am a self-professed Apple nerd but not yet a parent. I wonder if I'll use iPhone applications, like this one that debuted today!

Wow!  

TED Conference

Have you heard of the TED Conference? It's an annual conference that focuses giving presentations about 'things worth spreading'. The presenters here are among an elite group. Mostly intellectuals at the top of their field. You can find their talks online, streaming for free.

Imagine my surprise seeing Benjamin Zander here! Remember this from Greensboro in 2006? I'd say Kindermusik International was pretty spot on in getting him! 

Hope to see you this year as we make more memories and blaze more trails!