bob morrison

From the Trenches: All-Star Orchestra

World-class musicians and technology converge to support music education

What if it were possible to bring together the greatest classical musicians to perform and record the masterpieces of classical music? What if these world-class musicians could exploit new technologies to bring these great works to new audiences? What if these same musicians were to become musical guides, mentors, and teachers for a new generation of musicians, enthusiasts, and advocates? And what if one of the great conductors of our time were to lead the way?

Well that is exactly what has happened as a result of the vision and passion of the legendary Maestro Gerard Schwarz with the creation of the All-Star Orchestra, a modern variation of Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts on CBS. This time, they are not just for the young, and new technologies unleash the power to benefit from these first-rate musicians in your own music room.

From the Trenches: Budgets

Understanding the school budget process

Well, it is that time of year again – time to prepare for the school budget process. What’s that, you say? It’s too late? The process is almost over?

No, no – I am not talking about the upcoming year (2014/2015); I am talking about the next year – the 2015/2016 school year! You see, in order to be really effective impacting the budget process, you (and your supporters) need to be preparing now.

Here is why:

From the Trenches: Déjà Vu All Over Again

New music/arts standards will drive education for the next decade… or longer

In March of 1994, 20 years ago this month, two of the most historically important efforts to advance music and arts education came to fruition:

1. The codifying of the arts as a core subject with the passage and signing of the Goals 2000 Educate America Act (the Clinton Administration’s name for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that governs all of public education in this country) and,

2. The release of the National Standards for Arts Education.

These two events, culminating simultaneously, set the stage for the future growth, and defense of, music and arts education.

Ready or Not – Teacher Evaluations Are Coming

From The Trenches: No Program is Safe

by Bob Morrison

Why on earth do we need a "Music Director's Survival Guide?" I have never heard of a Math Teachers Survival Guide or an English Literacy Teachers Survival Guide. And just what is it that band directors need guidance about to... survive?

Well, let's pretend for a moment: You're a successful instrumental music teacher at an intermediate school. You have been teaching in the same school district for the past 16 years. You have done such a good job building your program that nearly 50 percent of students attending the school (some 350 out of 700 students) elect to be in your band program. Fifty Percent! Your peers value what you do. As a matter of fact, you have just been named teacher of the year. Not music teacher of the year - teacher of the year. And not just for the whole school... for the whole school district!

From The Trenches: In The Wake of the Storm – You Can Make a Difference

by Bob Morrison

I know all of the readers of SBO join me in extending our thoughts and prayers for everyone who has been affected in some way by this disaster. During times of national crisis, sometimes thoughts and prayers are not enough, however.

Many people I have spoken with have expressed a sense of helplessness watching the events unfold and are looking for ways to help now, while also trying to comprehend the scale of the rebuilding effort ahead and what it all means.