Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Where is the Creativity in Music Education?
I think art, of all the fine arts, is the highest on the creativity ladder. Music, and especially band, has become so entrenched in scores and festivals that we have forgotten that it was the creatity that we enjoyed in music to begin with. Art gives you the tools and the medium and where you go from their is up to you. In drama we want to make sure they read the lines correctly, excute the blocking and pickup cues. I think drama is in the middle of the pack. At least students are asked to creatively create a character. But how many of them do? How much drama education is merely parading on stage with no particular creativity.
In music it has become about right notes and did you play that dynamic. It is a game of gotcha at contest. What happened to the creativity?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Video Photoshop Tutorials
Tutorial for Finale Notepad
Top Speed: 253 mph
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Required Reading
NPPA: Best of Photojournalism 2006
Friday, March 23, 2007
Van Go Gallery
Old Time Jazz Recordings
This American Life on Showtime
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Photographs from Life Magazine
Freeware for Windows
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Interactive Videos on Game Design
Super Mario on Trombone
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Secretary of Education on the Arts
On the eve of Arts Advocacy Day Secertary of Education Margaret Spellings released the following statement:
STATEMENT BY EDUCATION SECRETARY MARGARET SPELLINGS ON 2007 ARTS ADVOCACY DAYU.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today made the following statement on the celebration of 2007 Arts Advocacy Day:
I am pleased to join the many artists, administrators, arts educators, parents, and others in celebrating 2007 Arts Advocacy Day.
The No Child Left Behind Act recognizes the important role that arts have in our schools for a well-rounded education.
The arts are a unique tool to stimulate and enrich learning. Not only do the arts encourage our children’s imagination and creativity, but they can also teach lessons of history, math, and other subjects in a more memorable and profound way. The arts also, as President George W. Bush has said, “…allow us to explore new worlds and to view life from another perspective,” a critically important skill for today’s global economy.
Our education system is improving because of the concerns and involvement of so many who advocate for the arts. Leaders in states and local communities can and should ensure that the arts remain part of every student’s education.