A colleague of mine encouraged me to join Facebook the other day, and so I did. In exploring the different people I might know I thought I'd take a chance and enter "Musical Youth International" into the search bar. Lo and behold there was actually a group formed on Facebook for that very organization. Granted I would become only the 4th member of the group, but it did bring back some wonderful memories.
The group was formed in 1964 by Dr. Lester McCoy and his wife, Bernice. It comprised a high school and chorus, both directed by McCoy for awhile, and was based out of Saline, Michigan. MYI was part of the People to People organization started by President Eisenhour. The purpose of the ensembles was to present concerts in foreign countries to promote unity among people around the world. After Dr. McCoy passed away his wife continued in her husband's footsteps and kept the organization going, expanding to a separate chorus and band director. I do believe they traveled at least once to every major continent.
During the summer of 1974, while a senior in high school, I auditioned to become a member of the choir and was accepted. We rehearsed Sunday afternoons in Saline during the school year. Once school was completed we had a week on "intensive" rehearsals, and departed around the beginning of July for a 4 1/2 week tour of Venezuela, Belize and Mexico. During our tour we gave over 30 performances, some big and some small. On our return to the USA we gave a "post tour" concert at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, on the University of Michigan campus.
To be continued....
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Summer Music Listening
I don't know about educators in other fields but summer months for music teachers is the time we spend listening to new music, trying to find just the right arrangements to fit our ensembles for the coming school year. The problem is that we rarely know for certain who is going to be in these ensembles.
For the middle school it will be questions like: Will there be any boys in the groups, how many hundreds of kids are we talking about, will I have any real sopranos, or altos, can they carry a tune, can they sing about a C (octave above middle c), can the altos and boys hold their voice part, etc.
High school is a little more predictable, especially if you have an auditioned group. But sometimes the scheduling doesn't work out, or their family suddenly moves during the summer and your star basso profundo is suddenly gone from the school.
The summer music listening is also the time that drives my wife crazy! My listening habits usually include 15-30 second snipits of songs. I figure if it doesn't grab me in the first 30 seconds it's not going to happen. Some songs you know in the first 5 seconds that it's not right for you, or your group, and others may take the full 30 seconds. Occasionally I'll listen to what I consider to be a really corny song, and I'll leave it on for the entire recording, just to see how long it will take my wife to comment on it. (Not very long I may add!).
I also do some listening for my church choir. I've found that I really like the music from Beckenhorst Press. Their composers have some really nice anthems, IMO, and I've ordered many of them with great success and happiness.
As we begin the final month of freedom before school starts I'll pick up my pace of music listening. I do this so that my wife is thoroughly ready for me to return to school/church, so she can begin her period of relaxation and quiet.
For the middle school it will be questions like: Will there be any boys in the groups, how many hundreds of kids are we talking about, will I have any real sopranos, or altos, can they carry a tune, can they sing about a C (octave above middle c), can the altos and boys hold their voice part, etc.
High school is a little more predictable, especially if you have an auditioned group. But sometimes the scheduling doesn't work out, or their family suddenly moves during the summer and your star basso profundo is suddenly gone from the school.
The summer music listening is also the time that drives my wife crazy! My listening habits usually include 15-30 second snipits of songs. I figure if it doesn't grab me in the first 30 seconds it's not going to happen. Some songs you know in the first 5 seconds that it's not right for you, or your group, and others may take the full 30 seconds. Occasionally I'll listen to what I consider to be a really corny song, and I'll leave it on for the entire recording, just to see how long it will take my wife to comment on it. (Not very long I may add!).
I also do some listening for my church choir. I've found that I really like the music from Beckenhorst Press. Their composers have some really nice anthems, IMO, and I've ordered many of them with great success and happiness.
As we begin the final month of freedom before school starts I'll pick up my pace of music listening. I do this so that my wife is thoroughly ready for me to return to school/church, so she can begin her period of relaxation and quiet.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
23 Things Follow-up Survey
Even after the class has finished you've followed up by using another great site for the survey. Zoomerang is a great tool that will be very useful in surveys for students, parents, staff and community.
Way to go!!! A+++
http://www.zoomerang.com/
Way to go!!! A+++
http://www.zoomerang.com/
Thursday, June 26, 2008
S. Redford Schools Vote to Retain Vocal Music
According to today's Redford Observer the South Redford Board of Education decided to reinstate vocal music at the middle and high school levels, in addition to an arts teacher who also has classes in both grade level buildings. These positions are kept inspite of cutting $2 million from their budget for the 2008 - 2009 school year.
This is a school district that just completed nearly $35 million in renovations, including a new performing arts facility.
Why do these districts spend millions of dollars to renovate schools and then decide they don't have enough funds to hire teachers? I know enough about school financing to realize that the monies are from different "pockets" but let's be realistic here people.
Anyway, kudos to the SR Board of Ed for keeping choir and art at the secondary level!
This is a school district that just completed nearly $35 million in renovations, including a new performing arts facility.
Why do these districts spend millions of dollars to renovate schools and then decide they don't have enough funds to hire teachers? I know enough about school financing to realize that the monies are from different "pockets" but let's be realistic here people.
Anyway, kudos to the SR Board of Ed for keeping choir and art at the secondary level!
Monday, June 23, 2008
S. Redford Cuts Update
According to our local newsrag (Redford Observer) the proposed budget cuts for our neighboring school district seem to be heading for approval. I wish them well.
Our district (Redford Union) has been dealing with budget cuts, downsizing, trimming the fat, or whatever you want to call it, for what seems like forever. An editorial headline in the Detroit News tells the Detroit Public School chief to look to the Ford Motor Company to learn how to deal with cuts before it becomes too late. I laugh because I think Ford called Redford Union to see what to do?!
I do remember our union leaders and administrators telling the staff that the problem is greater than the apparent mismanagement of funds, at least in our district. The real problem is school funding from the state. We were told that it wouldn't be long before every district, even the "rich" ones would be affected. I believe that time is here. In addition the souring economy in the state certainly doesn't help the overall picture of school finances.
Our district (Redford Union) has been dealing with budget cuts, downsizing, trimming the fat, or whatever you want to call it, for what seems like forever. An editorial headline in the Detroit News tells the Detroit Public School chief to look to the Ford Motor Company to learn how to deal with cuts before it becomes too late. I laugh because I think Ford called Redford Union to see what to do?!
I do remember our union leaders and administrators telling the staff that the problem is greater than the apparent mismanagement of funds, at least in our district. The real problem is school funding from the state. We were told that it wouldn't be long before every district, even the "rich" ones would be affected. I believe that time is here. In addition the souring economy in the state certainly doesn't help the overall picture of school finances.
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