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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 29 August 2012
The city council of the New York City borough of the Bronx recently approved a $2.5 million plan for an innovative new project that combines education, low-income housing, and an ambitious local music program.The city council of the New York City borough of the Bronx recently approved a $2.5 million plan for an innovative new project that combines education, low-income housing, and an ambitious local music program. In a complex designed for a neighborhood in the South Bronx and slated to open in September 2013, the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corp. (WHEDco) Bard Academy Charter School and 290 units of affordable housing will combine with the Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) for a one-of-a-kind complex.
The venture will be headed up by WHEDco, who are partnering with Bard College in an effort to create a quality liberal arts program for grades 6-12 with an emphasis on arts. The partnership with the BMHC will enable the complex unique access to music education and the space and resources for special performances.
To learn more, visit www.whedco.org.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 29 August 2012
A new study published in Current Biology has found that humans’ memories of music – stored melodies, rhythms, harmonies, and lyrics – are kept in a separate part of the brain from other types of memories.A new study published in Current Biology has found that humans’ memories of music – stored melodies, rhythms, harmonies, and lyrics – are kept in a separate part of the brain from other types of memories.
Doctors Christoph J. Ploner, Carson Finnke, and Nazlie Esfahani in Berlin, Germany, studied the brain of a 68-year-old cellist who had developed a severe form of amnesia – he’d forgotten his professional and personal past, he’d forgotten his friends and family, and he couldn’t learn any new information. However, he retained all musical memory and the skill to read sheet music on his cello. The group that organized the findings say that they hope the information can help lead to ways to stimulate other areas of the memory.
The original article can be found at Current Biology.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 15 August 2012
Teen bands have the chance to showcase their talent by entering NAMM’s fourth annual SchoolJam USA, a national teen battle of the bands.Teen bands have the chance to showcase their talent by entering NAMM’s fourth annual SchoolJam USA, a national teen battle of the bands. The competition highlights teen music talent, gathers students in support of the arts, provides funding for school music programs and promotes active participation in school music programs. Unsigned teen musicians between the ages of 13 and 19, with the majority of band members registered in a U.S. middle or high school, are eligible to participate. Online entry for bands is open from until Oct. 26, 2012.
All finalists will receive prize money to purchase new gear and funds for their local school music programs to purchase needed instruments from local NAMM Member music stores. The winning band will walk away $1,000 toward the purchase of new gear and $5,000 for the winner’s school music program.
To learn more, check www.schooljamusa.com.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 15 August 2012
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) recently announced the recipients of its Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship. The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) recently announced the recipients of its Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship. Samantha Baldwin (Cobleskill, New York) and Curtis Viselli (Windermere, Florida) were awarded the prize for 2012, which was created by Shannon's family and friends in coordination with NAfME to honor her exemplary life and her love of teaching music.
Kane taught at New York’s Westhill High School and at Soule Road Middle School and was working on her Master’s degree at the University of Florida until her untimely passing in February 2009.
Samantha Baldwin is a recent graduate of Syracuse University's Setnor School of Music, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting while serving as principal flute performer in all of Syracuse's instrumental ensembles and one of three Drum Majors for the University Marching Band. Curtis Viselli received a Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis, from the University of Florida in May 2012 and will begin his first teaching position in the fall. Viselli received the prestigious Reitz music scholarship during his junior year.
For more info, visit www.musiced.nafme.org.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 15 August 2012
Well-known composer and pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch died unexpectedly on August 6th in Los Angeles. Well-known composer and pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch died unexpectedly on August 6th in Los Angeles. Hamlisch is perhaps most well known for unforgettable compositions from early in his career that were used in films such as The Way We Were, Sophie’s Choice, and Ordinary People. He won three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, and a Pulitzer Prize, and was recently serving as conductor for a number of orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
A full bio and obituary can be found at www.marvinhamlisch.com.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 15 August 2012
Trailblazing musician and producer Beck recently announced that his next musical release will come not in the form of a recording but as sheet music, leaving it up to the music’s owner to perform the songs. Trailblazing musician and producer Beck recently announced that his next musical release will come not in the form of a recording but as sheet music, leaving it up to the music’s owner to perform the songs. According to the artist, the new work (Beck Hansen’s Song Reader), will consist of 20 songs presented in twenty individual booklets of sheet music inspired by the design of old-time “home-play” style packages, stored in a “lavishly produced hardcover carrying case.”
Discover more about the release, planned in collaboration with the influential publishing house McSweeney’s, at www.beck.com.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 15 August 2012
The theme for the 13th Annual SBO Essay Scholarship Contest was unveiled with a poster included in the August issue of SBO. The theme for the 13th Annual SBO Essay Scholarship Contest was unveiled with a poster included in the August issue of SBO. Students around the country are encouraged to write a brief essay beginning with: “If You Were the School Principal…” Applicants are eligible for a share of $10,000 in scholarships for advanced music study and $10,000 in music products for their school music program. Winning school programs will receive merchandise prizes contributed by Alfred Publishing, Sabian, Ltd., Woodwind & Brasswind, and Yamaha Corrporation of America.
Visit www.sbomagazine.com for more information. For a free copy of the Essay Contest Poster, pick up a copy of SBO’s August issue or contact Melanie Prescott at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 15 August 2012
Drum Corps International squad the Blue Devils completed an undefeated season this past weekend, winning their 15th DCI World Championship, and their fourth in the last six years.Drum Corps International squad the Blue Devils completed an undefeated season this past weekend, winning their 15th DCI World Championship, and their fourth in the last six years. With a final score of 98.70, the California corps also took home hardware from Lucas Oil Stadium for caption awards in Visual Performance, General Effect, Percussion and Color Guard. Blue Devils corps director David Gibbs noted although he can't rank how this title compares to the corps' 14 others, he can say the 2012 corps is one of the best performing ensembles he's ever had. Carolina Crown received second place honors, followed by the Phantom Regiment and the Cadets.
Find full results of the championships at www.dci.org
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 01 August 2012
In an in-depth story from the BBC, reporter Vincent Dowd explores many of the issues facing American orchestras in the near future.In an in-depth story from the BBC, reporter Vincent Dowd explores many of the issues facing American orchestras in the near future. In particular, he finds a troubling disconnect between classical programs and young audiences, as well as increasingly restrictive budgets. He tracks orchestras who have recently closed their doors for good in Syracuse, New Mexico, and Hawaii, and carefully follows the trials of Charlie Owens, CEO of the persistent Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
“As tastes change in America - and perhaps not just in America - the struggle gets harder,” says Owens.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 01 August 2012
The Texas Bandmasters Association has presented its 2012 Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award of Outstanding Commitment to Music Education to Amarillo’s Cody Myers.The Texas Bandmasters Association has presented its 2012 Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award of Outstanding Commitment to Music Education to Amarillo’s Cody Myers. Myers, the Amarillo Independent School District director of fine arts, has taught music across Central Texas in towns like Tulia, Dimmitt, Dumas and Midland. He has served as director in Amarillo for 15 years and oversees all of the district’s music education and fine arts programs.
Myers has also served on local arts boards for years, including those of the Amarillo Symphony, the Greater Southwest Music Festival, the Amarillo Youth Orchestra, the Tri-State Fair Parad, an the steering committee for Window on a Wider World.
http://www.texasbandmasters.org/
Directors who make a Difference
For over 20 years, School Band & Orchestra Magazine has been honoring amazing music educators from all 50 states. That's more than 1000 educators recognized for their outstanding contributions to music education programs!
Do you know a fantastic K-12 instrumental music educator who is deserving of recognition in SBO? Tell us why he or she should be featured in SBO’s annual "Directors Who Make a Difference" report.
On the Road
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