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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 14 February 2013
Christine Fawson, an in-demand trumpet player, vocalist, and Berklee assistant professor, has been named interim Chair of the college’s Brass Department for the Spring 2013 semester. Christine Fawson, an in-demand trumpet player, vocalist, and Berklee assistant professor, has been named interim Chair of the college’s Brass Department for the Spring 2013 semester. Fawson’s appointment makes her the first female Brass Chair at Berklee and one of only a few women in this position at any college.
Fawson, a 2002 graduate, is among a recent crop of standout female players from the college, including Ingrid Jensen, Karen Harris, and Robin Amie. Fawson teaches Singing for Brass Players, a class she designed, in addition to ensembles and private lessons.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 14 February 2013
Not long after Tama’s 2011 entry into the marching percussion market, the drum builder has announced that it is expanding its offerings to include a new line of marching brass horns built by Kanstul Musical Instruments.Not long after Tama’s 2011 entry into the marching percussion market, the drum builder has announced that it is expanding its offerings to include a new line of marching brass horns built by Kanstul Musical Instruments.
The link to Kanstul was drum master Tom Float, who in collaboration with Tama leader Ken Hoshino, developed Tama Marching Percussion’s innovative drum products. Knowing both Kanstul and Hoshino, Float saw the strong potential in an introduction, based on their similarities. Both Ken Hoshino and Zig Kanstul had developed reputations for being as strong a guiding force on the shop floor as they are in the conference room. Located in Anaheim, California, one mile east of Disneyland, Kanstul launched Kanstul Musical Instruments in 1981.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 14 February 2013
Carnegie Hall has received a $10 million major gift from Judith and Burton Resnick that will provide important support toward its Studio Towers Renovation Project.Carnegie Hall has received a $10 million major gift from Judith and Burton Resnick that will provide important support toward its Studio Towers Renovation Project, a comprehensive undertaking that will create new inspirational spaces for music education on the building’s existing upper floors while also fully refurbishing the venue’s backstage areas. The project, scheduled to be completed and opened in 2014, will be transformational for Carnegie Hall, creating new facilities designed to make great music accessible to as many people as possible.
The 61,000-square foot Judith B. and Burton P. Resnick Education Wing – newly-named in recognition of this gift and the Resnick family’s longtime support of Carnegie Hall – will include new ensemble rooms, practice rooms, and teaching studios atop the landmark building as well as a state-of-the-art home for Carnegie Hall’s Archives.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 14 February 2013
The Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference has given unprecedented special recognition to Cortland native Col Arnald D. Gabriel.The Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference has given unprecedented special recognition to Cortland native Col Arnald D. Gabriel. During a concert this past December by the United States Air Force Band at the 65th annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, a glass sculpture was presented to Gabriel to express special appreciation for his unique achievements and leadership in the music profession. In 1973, Col. Gabriel had already received the Midwest Clinic’s highest award, the Medal of Honor, recognizing his distinguished service to music and education, and his influence on the development of bands and orchestras.
Col. Gabriel’s 21-year tenure at the highest point of military music, Commander of The United States Air Force Band of Washington, D.C., was the longest in that organization’s history. His military service began as an army infantryman in World War II, and as a conductor, he has thrilled audiences in all 50 states and over 50 countries.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 14 February 2013
During the 55th Annual Grammy Awards last week, a trio of stars announced that the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy are partnering to present their first-ever Music Educator Award to recognize music educators.During the 55th Annual Grammy Awards last week, a trio of stars announced that the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy are partnering to present their first-ever Music Educator Award to recognize music educators for their contributions to our musical landscape and their positive influence on their students' musical experiences. President and CEO of the Recording Academy and Grammy Foundation Neil Portnow was joined by Grammy Foundation honorary board chair Ryan Seacrest and multi-Grammy-winning artist Justin Timberlake.
The award is open to current U.S. music teachers from kindergarten through college, in public and private schools. Anyone can nominate a teacher – students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans and administrators – and teachers are also able to nominate themselves. Nominated teachers will be notified and invited to fill out an application. One winner will be selected from 10 finalists each year to be recognized for his or her remarkable impact on students' lives. The first award will be presented during GRAMMY Week 2014. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the GRAMMY Awards, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium.
The honorariums provided to the winners are made possible by a grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund. This new partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund expands their financial support of GRAMMY Foundation music Education initiatives.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 31 January 2013
Last Saturday night, one of Knoxville, Tenn. teen bands’ dreams came true, as they were crowned “Best Teen Band in the USA,” at the National Association of Music Merchants’ (NAMM) SchoolJam USA competition at Downtown Disney District.Last Saturday night, one of Knoxville, Tenn. teen bands’ dreams came true, as they were crowned “Best Teen Band in the USA,” at the National Association of Music Merchants’ (NAMM) SchoolJam USA competition at Downtown Disney District.
Competing against seven other bands, Ergo We Play banged out a 15-minute set, comprised of original music to a crowd of nearly 500 fans and a panel of music professionals. With thoughtful lyrics, a non-conformist style and commanding stage presence, Ergo We Play swept the competition.
In addition to earning the evening’s grand title, Ergo We Play also took home $5,000 for Farragut High School’s music education program, $1,000 toward the purchase of new band gear, a private music video recording session on the John Lennon Educational Bus, and a grand-prize trip of a lifetime to perform at the 2013 SchoolJam Germany finals in Frankfurt in April.
The eight band contestants were chosen from more than 116 applicants by a combination of music industry professionals and more than 260,000 public votes.
Prizes for the "Best Of" awards were provided by NAMM Members JamHub, Inc, Peavey Electronics Corporation, Future Sonics, Kelly Concepts, ZT Amplifiers, Jammit Inc, Pickbandz, Mighty Bright, and Yamaha Corporation of America.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 31 January 2013
A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, "Early Adolescent Music Preferences and Minor Delinquency” looked at 300 students in the Netherlands...A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, "Early Adolescent Music Preferences and Minor Delinquency” looked at 300 students in the Netherlands, observing that those who listened to genres such as hip-hop, metal, punk, or techno music were more likely to engage in petty delinquency like shop-lifting or vandalism than their peers who preferred pop, jazz, or classical music. The studied followed the students for four years, from the ages of 12-16. It should be noted that those students who liked rock music at age 12 were relatively well behaved, but were more likely to engage in bad behavior at 16.
Before anyone jumps to any rash conclusions, it should be noted that correlation does not equal causation.
The complete study can be found on this site: pediatrics.aappublications.org.
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 31 January 2013
The NAMM Foundation has unveiled its new public service announcement campaign, “Just Play.” The NAMM Foundation has unveiled its new public service announcement campaign, “Just Play.” The spot will air this spring in a multi-media, national campaign that will include ads for television, radio, billboards, bus shelters, airports, malls and anywhere one can hear, think about or play music.
“Just Play” encourages people of every age to let go of the excuses that keep them from learning to play a musical instrument, be it age, time, ability or access, and just play music. A Gallup Poll revealed that 85 percent of Americans who do not play a musical instrument wish that they did.
The television spot for the campaign, “Twinkle” opens with a child’s one-fingered version of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and builds as people of all ages join together, layering on different interpretations of the classic. Showcasing the accessibility of and ease with which one can learn to play music, the spot ends with a compelling imperative to just play.
The “Just Play” campaign underscores NAMM and NAMM Foundation’s year-round initiatives designed to create more active music makers, including scientific research on the benefits of making music, publicizing musical success stories from everyday music makers, and inspiring ways in which music makes people’s lives better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=deLyRL3Owyg
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 31 January 2013
In the wake of the horrific events at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last month, a group of students and teachers from Newton, Connecticut recently gathered to record a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” In the wake of the horrific events at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last month, a group of students and teachers from Newton, Connecticut recently gathered to record a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Good luck making it through this three-minute video with dry eyes…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=t1RwCTNdX78
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- Written by Josh Harris
- Published: 31 January 2013
Maestro Louis Scaglione, president and music director of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization (PYO) and Delia Raab-Snyder, director of PYO’s Tune Up Philly have announced that The D’Addario Foundation has presented PYO’s Tune Up Philly with a $2,000-grant Maestro Louis Scaglione, president and music director of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization (PYO) and Delia Raab-Snyder, director of PYO’s Tune Up Philly have announced that The D’Addario Foundation has presented PYO’s Tune Up Philly with a $2,000-grant in support of the El Sistema-inspired afterschool program. In addition to the grant, The D’Addario Foundation also presented PYO’s Tune Up Philly with an in-kind donation of instrument accessories valued at $750.
The grant will help fund Tune Up Philly’s upcoming concert at Benjamin Franklin High School on Saturday, March 9th. The community concert is free and open to the public; a goodwill offering will be accepted at the door. All of the students in the program will perform under the direction of Ms. Raab-Snyder, Assistant Director Paul Smith and with ten Tune Up Philly professional teaching artists.
PYO’s Tune Up Philly is inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema and is designed to nurture economically disadvantaged children through weekday, out-of-school hours, classical musical instruction. The program commenced in September 2010 at St. Francis de Sales School in southwest Philadelphia and began operating at the People for People Charter School in North Philadelphia in September 2011. Instructed by ten, professional, teachers and musicians, the students in PYO’s Tune Up Philly train five days a week during the school year, with concentrations in woodwind, brass, strings and general music education.
www.pyos.org
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