Now Hagerstown, Maryland has a premium music program for home schooled students!
Open Enrollment to October 1, 2009
Where?
Virginia Avenue Baptist Church
(South of the Halfway Blvd, Virginia Avenue intersection)
Hagerstown, Maryland
When?
Thursday 2 pm
Tuition
$50 first child in family, $40 second child in family, $30 third child in family
Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in Choir related fundraising activities.
This Choir will divide into two choirs after October 1 to provide a middle school/high school elective for older students and an elementary choral program.
Voice and piano lessons available upon request
For more information, leave a reply to this blog posting!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, May 26, 2008
With Gratitude to our Troops
Thank you to all the men and women in the Armed Services and the United States Merchant Marines who support our troops. Our love and appreciation for you is undying.
In remembrance of our brave fallen soldiers, here is one of our favorite songs, Mansions of the Lord.
Here's another video of the same song:
God bless our Troops and God Bless America!
In remembrance of our brave fallen soldiers, here is one of our favorite songs, Mansions of the Lord.
Here's another video of the same song:
God bless our Troops and God Bless America!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, July 9, 2007
Did you watch it?
I'm talking about Al Gore's Live Earth global warming concerts. I didn't even though I am a huge music lover, and I'll tell you why.
I think Al Gore is an attention seeking crank who has cottoned on to global warming as a cash cow. He's like a televangelist preaching outrageous sermons to a sycophantic, unintelligent (that is what our schools produce nowadays) boot licking crowd. All televangelistic prosperity teachers work a pyramid-like scheme that has one kingpin at the top and the rest of the peons and poor suckers giving to the cause of the kingpin. Gore has used the music industry to work the young, uneducated and inexperienced masses to an environmental froth all for his own profit. And forget the fact that the musicians and bands want to give lip service to global warming while living their lavish lifestyles. Forget the fact that global warming green means money money money.
There are far better ways to reduce the dreaded carbon footprint than by attending a 'global concert' designed to line the purses of the demigods and soak the poor kids who love music and who are trying to do something right with their young lives.
You can do what we do: Grow a garden, use a wood stove in the winter for heat, don't buy designer clothes. Use your bikes when you can. Don't eat out much, and eat less processed food. Turn off the TV, video games and i pod like devices and spend time with your family, neighbors, and friends instead of the artificial and mind numbing stimulus addiction to such devices afford.
Our future plans include installing a greywater system to recycle water (important here in the Southwest, moving to a smaller house (the kids are growing up), purchasing more land to grow more food and to live simpler.
So, you can follow our example.....or Al Gore's, whose house uses more power in a month than a normal family uses in a year! We can't afford to buy off our carbon guilt like Gore can with the money from his Global Warming products!
I'm seriously glad he never won the presidency.
Radiant
I think Al Gore is an attention seeking crank who has cottoned on to global warming as a cash cow. He's like a televangelist preaching outrageous sermons to a sycophantic, unintelligent (that is what our schools produce nowadays) boot licking crowd. All televangelistic prosperity teachers work a pyramid-like scheme that has one kingpin at the top and the rest of the peons and poor suckers giving to the cause of the kingpin. Gore has used the music industry to work the young, uneducated and inexperienced masses to an environmental froth all for his own profit. And forget the fact that the musicians and bands want to give lip service to global warming while living their lavish lifestyles. Forget the fact that global warming green means money money money.
There are far better ways to reduce the dreaded carbon footprint than by attending a 'global concert' designed to line the purses of the demigods and soak the poor kids who love music and who are trying to do something right with their young lives.
You can do what we do: Grow a garden, use a wood stove in the winter for heat, don't buy designer clothes. Use your bikes when you can. Don't eat out much, and eat less processed food. Turn off the TV, video games and i pod like devices and spend time with your family, neighbors, and friends instead of the artificial and mind numbing stimulus addiction to such devices afford.
Our future plans include installing a greywater system to recycle water (important here in the Southwest, moving to a smaller house (the kids are growing up), purchasing more land to grow more food and to live simpler.
So, you can follow our example.....or Al Gore's, whose house uses more power in a month than a normal family uses in a year! We can't afford to buy off our carbon guilt like Gore can with the money from his Global Warming products!
I'm seriously glad he never won the presidency.
Radiant
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Fanaticism Trumps Numbers and Wins
I sometimes wonder what the majority of Americans are willing to die for. Particularly when I see so many young people (and I have teenagers as well as very extensive access to the university) sliding through high school and the first few years of college without accepting the challenge of excellence or the rewards of hard work and personal self discipline. Many of these young people act as if they are the center of their own universe, and when things go wrong they blame those around them for their own failings.
Their behavior is only a symptom of what Ralph Peters calls the dream of a happy-face, godless world where nobody quarrels.
Let me put this article, which really is an article about the conflict in "Palestine," in context now.
Peters states in his article that the reason Hamas won was that they are religious fanatics willing to die for what they believe. Here's a quote:
Our children and our current generation has been taught to "Believe in Yourself" since infancy and through television and our school system, rather than to believe in a higher purpose and a more noble calling. One's self esteem and comfort is more important than the unity and defense of the nation that gives us the freedom to live the lifestyles we enjoy. The values of our founding fathers - well - they are old fashioned and we are "more enlightened now". Bah!
As a Choral Director, I see this all the time in new choral music produced for the consumption of music programs from the elementary level through high school students. The texts are so watered down and "feel good" and do not raise the spirit of the young student to higher sights other than their own emotions and very limited experience. (Consider the fourth grade students in Maine who boldly declare that global warming is the worst problem in the whole world - even as we stand on the brink of WWIII) They speak of "putting our differences behind us" as if living in denial is going to make things better. Children sing about "looking inside" as if that will bring "light to the darkness" and solve all our world problems will bring. What are the children of the fanatics singing and chanting? "Kill America! Kill Jews! Kill Infidels!" None of this mamby-pamby "why can't we all get along" crap!
I could get off on a rant about the extreme political correctness of our government schools, but that will have to wait for another blog entry. I will say I am grateful that choral directors may still use sacred music as an educational tool as it is part of the culture of our Western Civilization.
What if a fanatical Hamas like group were to attack here - perhaps on one of our college campuses. I'm afraid we would see our young men and women cowering and screaming like children. Forgive me for this allusion, but they would be as cowardly as many students at Virginia Tech when "Hammer Boy" Cho went postal on them. (I know I'll get some flak for that statement)
We are not encouraged to be strong and brave and to face our adversaries head on, no matter what the cost. Why? Our faith is weak. Many have no faith except in themselves. I'm not trying to be an evangelical preacher, just a humble blogger. So many of us here in America, while we give lip service to words like Liberty, Freedom, Honor, Courage, Country, God, and Family, don't have enough gumption to be willing to lay it all on the line to defend what we do have.
Here's more from Ralph Peters:
Their behavior is only a symptom of what Ralph Peters calls the dream of a happy-face, godless world where nobody quarrels.
Let me put this article, which really is an article about the conflict in "Palestine," in context now.
Peters states in his article that the reason Hamas won was that they are religious fanatics willing to die for what they believe. Here's a quote:
Hamas won because its fighters are religious fanatics ready to die for their cause. Fatah runs an armed employment agency under the banner of Palestinian nationalism. Most of the latter's security men are on the payroll because relatives or ward pols got them jobs. And they want to stay alive to collect their wages.
The result was predictable. Our government pretended otherwise. Now hairs should be standing up on the backs of thousands of necks, from the White House to the Green Zone.
I look at this wide eyed passion to die for allah (lower case on purpose) and compare it to the apathy of Americans, and it does make me worry!
Our children and our current generation has been taught to "Believe in Yourself" since infancy and through television and our school system, rather than to believe in a higher purpose and a more noble calling. One's self esteem and comfort is more important than the unity and defense of the nation that gives us the freedom to live the lifestyles we enjoy. The values of our founding fathers - well - they are old fashioned and we are "more enlightened now". Bah!
As a Choral Director, I see this all the time in new choral music produced for the consumption of music programs from the elementary level through high school students. The texts are so watered down and "feel good" and do not raise the spirit of the young student to higher sights other than their own emotions and very limited experience. (Consider the fourth grade students in Maine who boldly declare that global warming is the worst problem in the whole world - even as we stand on the brink of WWIII) They speak of "putting our differences behind us" as if living in denial is going to make things better. Children sing about "looking inside" as if that will bring "light to the darkness" and solve all our world problems will bring. What are the children of the fanatics singing and chanting? "Kill America! Kill Jews! Kill Infidels!" None of this mamby-pamby "why can't we all get along" crap!
I could get off on a rant about the extreme political correctness of our government schools, but that will have to wait for another blog entry. I will say I am grateful that choral directors may still use sacred music as an educational tool as it is part of the culture of our Western Civilization.
What if a fanatical Hamas like group were to attack here - perhaps on one of our college campuses. I'm afraid we would see our young men and women cowering and screaming like children. Forgive me for this allusion, but they would be as cowardly as many students at Virginia Tech when "Hammer Boy" Cho went postal on them. (I know I'll get some flak for that statement)
We are not encouraged to be strong and brave and to face our adversaries head on, no matter what the cost. Why? Our faith is weak. Many have no faith except in themselves. I'm not trying to be an evangelical preacher, just a humble blogger. So many of us here in America, while we give lip service to words like Liberty, Freedom, Honor, Courage, Country, God, and Family, don't have enough gumption to be willing to lay it all on the line to defend what we do have.
Here's more from Ralph Peters:
The quoted article comes from Ralph Peters' new book, "Wars of Blood and Faith," which comes out on July 25. Yes I'm advertising for him, but he speaks truth to life. Read it and take it in. Our whole nation needs to.
Radiant
UPDATE:
Found a great quote:
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
John F. Kennedy 1.20.61
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Survey Results on Sister Blog
The results of the New Mexico Middle School Choral Directors survey is online now here.
Friday, April 27, 2007
A Great Loss to the Musical World
The Classical Music Community grieves the loss of this great conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich.
Mstislav Rostropovich, a cellist and conductor who was renowned not only as one of the great instrumentalists of the 20th century, but also as an outspoken champion of artistic freedom in Russia during the final decades of the Cold War, died in Moscow today. He was 80 and lived in Paris, with homes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, London and Lausanne, Switzerland.
Here is a video of Rostropovich performing the Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major.
Mstislav Rostropovich, a cellist and conductor who was renowned not only as one of the great instrumentalists of the 20th century, but also as an outspoken champion of artistic freedom in Russia during the final decades of the Cold War, died in Moscow today. He was 80 and lived in Paris, with homes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, London and Lausanne, Switzerland.
Here is a video of Rostropovich performing the Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
What Keeps Me Busy Nowadays
I love political blogging! It's hard to stay away from this pleasant pastime, but, alas, I must work diligently on what is decidedly my first interest - Music. This self imposed exile must last for at least a month (although I may slip an article in here over this time period).
Right now I'm analyzing Beethoven's First Symphony, finishing a paper, and preparing for both my recital AND my oral exams. It keeps me busy.
Here is the divine First Symphony in C Major, Opus 21, by Ludwig von Beethoven
Directed by Herbert von Karajan
I must add this visualization of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! Let the kids see this and see if they can find the subject of the fugue. It has a specific shape and can be seen in inversion (upside down) and retrograde inversion (upside down and backwards!!!)
Right now I'm analyzing Beethoven's First Symphony, finishing a paper, and preparing for both my recital AND my oral exams. It keeps me busy.
Here is the divine First Symphony in C Major, Opus 21, by Ludwig von Beethoven
Directed by Herbert von Karajan
I must add this visualization of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor! Let the kids see this and see if they can find the subject of the fugue. It has a specific shape and can be seen in inversion (upside down) and retrograde inversion (upside down and backwards!!!)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sister Blog
I've started a new blog for those of you interested in vocal music education, particularly in the American Southwest. This site: New Mexico Choral Education Information is part of my graduate project and is designed to provide resources for choral educators in New Mexico.
Let me know if this site is helpful for you. Thanks.
Let me know if this site is helpful for you. Thanks.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Concert Update
Every Spring New Mexico State University Choirs presents the Jack Ward Invitational Choral Festival where we highlight the work of choirs and local music teachers in the Southern New Mexico/El Paso area.
This year Dr. David Dickau was commissioned to write two pieces for the Choral Association of Southern New Mexico (CASNM) for adult and children's choirs. The songs - "Piping Down the Valleys Wild" and the "Laughing Song" - are beautifully written and a delight to sing!
The Gadsden School District Honor Choir from southern New Mexico were invited to perform these pieces with us. Additionally, they sang three pieces of their own - one of which was my composition "Sea Fever" for treble choir ( and which I had the privilege of conducting on the concert).
Also on the program is "The Raven" a multi-movement piece based on the poem by Edgar Allen Poe, by Justin Raines. I conducted the world premier of the first and third movements last fall, and Dr. Dickau conducted the whole piece in the concert.
Last night's concert was very successful, and we have one more night to perform. If you are in the Las Cruces area, this concert would be a high quality cultural experience.
This year Dr. David Dickau was commissioned to write two pieces for the Choral Association of Southern New Mexico (CASNM) for adult and children's choirs. The songs - "Piping Down the Valleys Wild" and the "Laughing Song" - are beautifully written and a delight to sing!
The Gadsden School District Honor Choir from southern New Mexico were invited to perform these pieces with us. Additionally, they sang three pieces of their own - one of which was my composition "Sea Fever" for treble choir ( and which I had the privilege of conducting on the concert).
Also on the program is "The Raven" a multi-movement piece based on the poem by Edgar Allen Poe, by Justin Raines. I conducted the world premier of the first and third movements last fall, and Dr. Dickau conducted the whole piece in the concert.
Last night's concert was very successful, and we have one more night to perform. If you are in the Las Cruces area, this concert would be a high quality cultural experience.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Music reflecting societal issues
Here is a fascinating song by Israeli group, Teapacks - "Push the Button".
Teapacks writes songs about current social issues, and this song reflects Israeli concerns about Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's frequent threats to destroy Israel. They were chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, but may be banned because of its "inappropriate political message."
Their style has been described as "Nerdy Jewish Apocolyptic Cabaret Rap" by the incomparable Zombie.
This song is worth listening to just for trying to understand Teapacks' perspective. Let me know if you think this song should be banned from the song contest or not.
Teapacks writes songs about current social issues, and this song reflects Israeli concerns about Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's frequent threats to destroy Israel. They were chosen to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest, but may be banned because of its "inappropriate political message."
Their style has been described as "Nerdy Jewish Apocolyptic Cabaret Rap" by the incomparable Zombie.
This song is worth listening to just for trying to understand Teapacks' perspective. Let me know if you think this song should be banned from the song contest or not.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Production Week
It's going to be hard to find time to add interesting material to this humble blog this week. I am performing in a concert at New Mexico State University this Friday and Saturday, and this week we have rehearsals every night. Composer David Dickau was commissioned to compose two new works for us. Justin Raines' composition "The Raven" is also going to be featured. I had the honor of conducting the world premier of this piece. My own composition for treble choir "Sea Fever," is feature on the concert, sung by the Gadsden School District Honor Choir.
Performing keeps me busy, but it is what I love to do.
Performing keeps me busy, but it is what I love to do.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
It's one of those long days
I managed to finish my trill paper done and turned in. I've finished two rehearsals already and have two more this afternoon - one for my private children's choir and one for church. Then Wednesday night service, and after that I am looking forward to a good night's sleep. I sure need it!
Being a music teacher is hard work but I would not want to do any other type of work (although I am quite skilled in a number of fields) And being a musician is a calling. We tell the students that you only become a music major if you know you would not be happy doing anything else. If a person knows they are a musician, they will do the hard work required to become a professional.
Well, this post is not stellar, but it's a little glimpse into my day.
Being a music teacher is hard work but I would not want to do any other type of work (although I am quite skilled in a number of fields) And being a musician is a calling. We tell the students that you only become a music major if you know you would not be happy doing anything else. If a person knows they are a musician, they will do the hard work required to become a professional.
Well, this post is not stellar, but it's a little glimpse into my day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)