"The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction,
in the life of a nation, is close to the center of a nation's purpose -
and is a test to the quality of a nation's civilization."-John F. Kennedy
"I will teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music,
for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys to learning."-Plato
Upcoming Events 8/9-8/13 - Summer Concert Band Workshop 8/16-8/20 - Summer Jazz Workshop
News
Congratulations to the following students for their Solo/Ensemble Recognitions: Jack Walters - 1st Place on Clarinet Jessica Lindsay - 1st Alternate on Oboe Skyler Floe - 1st Alternate on Trumpet Aleena Wolfe - 1st Alternate (B) Soprano Voice
Jazz Ensemble 1 Receives Second Place At Clark College Jazz Festival
Jack Walters was accepted into All-State Jazz Band AND Chamber Orchestra!
Jessica Lindsay was accepted into All-State Concert Band!
KPLU School of Jazz CD's are here! $12 - Email Mr. Faul for your copy!
Video of the moment:
You have to watch this! Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.
Tough Times in Edmonds SD...
Times are bad in the Edmonds School District from a financial standpoint. The district needs to cut about $6.5 milliion out of the budget. This is after $11.5 million last year and $5 million the year before that and $3 million the year before that. However, we want to make sure that they don't make foolish and short-sighted decisions to cut in the arts and music programs. Unfortunately, cuts are being made in these areas and our collective voice needs to be heard.
*Scott Barnes has been reduced to half time in his capacity as "Fine and Performing Arts Manager for the District." This is a devasting blow for the Arts programs and doesn't help us to be optimistic for the future. Scott is always at administrative meetings advocating for the arts and problem solving in order to maximize the opportunities for students in the arts.
*Brier Terrace's principal is cutting a band class (Jazz Band) and an orchestra for next year. This is after cutting a band class and choir last year! This has to stop or soon we won't have any music left at BTMS. In the last few years we have seen the bands cut from 5 to 2, choirs from 4 to 1, and orchestras from 2 to 1. This must stop! And we have to stop it.
*Secondary schools throughout the district are making cuts to their music offerings for next year. Thankfully, at MTHS next year, we will have the same number of classes as this year. Way to go Mr. Schwab!!!!!
Mike Huckabee: Art and Music Education
Watch this! What are we doing in our schools???
Music Advocacy Resources (Click Here) Make a case to the school district, superintendent's staff and the school board. Here you can find things that will help you formulate your arguement in favor of maintaining and growings arts programs in the schools.
2009-2010 Band Members or Parents:
PLEASE REGISTER...Please click here to complete a form that gives us your contact information! Thanks!
Our 2010 Pledge Drive has begun! You, our biggest supporters, are now able to donate to the band each month via electronic funds transfer. Select an amount and feel good about your ongoing financial contribution. Money goes to support the music education of the students in the band program with the largest portions going for the purchase of sheet music, to pay guest clinicians, and to cover group travel expenses. All donations are made to our non-profit MTHS Music Boosters organiztion and are tax-deductible. Please pledge whatever amount you can.
Examples of our expenses: $50 - The average amount to purchase sheet music for a typical Jazz Band work. $50 / Hour - The amount we pay guest clinicians. $80-120 - The amount to purchase sheet music for a typical Concert Band work. $250 - The amount for a commissioned jazz band arrangement. $360 - The cost of the bus to go to the UW Band Festival $887 - The cost of the bus to go to the CWU Band Festival $1,200 - The cost of the bus to go to Clark College $1,600 - The cost of the new Euphonium we purchased this year. $2,000 - The cost of the new 16 track digital recording interface and live sound mixing console we purchased. $4,400 - The costof the bus to Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Pledge Levels for Music Education at MTHS: Platinum Level - Our most generous supporters. Gold Level - Our most popular option. Silver Level - For those who can afford a dollar a day. Bronze Level - For those who can give up a lunch or a couple lattes a month for MTHS Bands.
Any amount you can give is very much appreciated.
(Your pledge amount can be changed or stopped at any time by logging into your PayPal account.)
Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music (Pentatonic Scale guys!)
Hot Java Cool Jazz Hot Java Cool Jazz Podcast - Cick Here
"Congratulations on stealing the show! Your band was amazing and the only one to get a standing ovation. I went there to hear Garfield and Roosevelt but after listening to your band the others seemed a little boring. They were good but did not reach the audience like you did. I went to your website to see when you will be performing next. Thank you for a great time--"
"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your band's performance on Friday night, and especially how much I enjoyed Jack's performance of Concerto for Clarinet - his tone was beautiful and he really nailed the tune. I am looking forward to hearing it again when its available on the podcast they mentioned on Friday night. Your trumpets were amazing too - they played so well together and they have an incredibly bright sound - if I had not seen them I would have swore I was hearing a full section.
Thanks and keep it up!"
"We just wanted to congratulate you and the members of Jazz Ensemble I on your phenomenal performance at Hot Java Cool Jazz. It was simply magical! Everyone did a stellar job! You play with such heart and soul and you bring the audience along for this incredible ride. You play with energy and exuberance and fully engage your audience in a way that no other band can do. It reminded me of comments made by Olympic athletes when describing their performances. They often speak of "leaving it all on the track" or "leaving it all on the floor." I think every one of your musicians left everything they had on the stage of the Paramount for all to enjoy.
The arrangements were terrific. I was amazed at how well they suited your numbers and strengths. People behind us were commenting on how small the MTHS band was in numbers, but how huge the sound was you all created. We were so proud to be from MTHS because you represented us all so well. Congratulations on a fine performance. You really stole the show."
"My husband and I, too, thoroughly were blown away by your fantastic group! Good Luck with future performances. We look forward to trying to see your group again."
"I want to congratulate you and Jazz 1 on a stellar performance at HJCJ. Words do not adequately express the level of musicianship displayed by all performers. Your song selections were interesting, engaging and memorable. The standing ovation for Jack’s performance was immediate and enthusiastic. It wasn’t just me, who, entirely biased as I am; felt fortunate to be part of the moment. Your music touched all of us.
I was seated next to someone from a town of 120 in Alaska (The Paramount Theater alone was pretty amazing to him. ) When MTHS entered the stage, he commented on the fact there were so few of you compared to Edmonds Woodway. At the end of the evening, however, after hearing all the bands his comment was “Obviously, bigger is not better” and raved about your performance.
I was proud I was to be associated with MTHS and all of you. You did us proud."
Quote of the Moment: “. . . a grade is an inadequate report of an inaccurate judgment by a biased and variable judge of the extent to which a student has attained an undefined level of mastery of an unknown proportion of an indefinite amount of material.”
-Paul Dressel
Basic College Quarterly
Michigan State University
Winter 1957
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
-Dr. Seuss
Helpful Links National Jazz Workshop (Free Stuff)
Lots of Play-a-longs and Improvisation Materials
"The Arts cannot thrive except where men are free to be themselves and to be in charge of the discipline of their own energies and ardors. The conditions for democracy and for the arts are one and the same. What we call liberty in politics results in freedom in the arts. A world turned into a stereotype, a society converted into a regiment, a life translated into a routine make it difficult for either art or artists to survive. Crush individuality in society and you crush art as well. Nourish the conditions of a free life and you nourish the arts, too."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1939
Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity
Daniel Pink on the surprising science of motivation.
Wynton Marsalis: 22nd Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture
on Arts and Public Policy
