David Sousa - CH 6 "Musical Talent"

Using the PSD Music Blog to continue our collegial conversation from October 18th, I'd like to invite teachers to respond as they would using "The Final Word" sharing protocol.

I would like to direct attention to the quote on page 173 of Chapter 6 from David Sousa's book, How The Gifted Brain Learns. It says,

"Musicians brains may be much better at chunking information than the brains of nonmusicians."

Why would that be of interest? How could this be of benefit to learners? How could this be useful to educators? If you read the quote in context under the section "Memorizing Music," you might have commentary or further questions to pose. Please consider continuing the conversation by commenting on this blog posting.

Go Seahawks!

Waller Road students worked together to encourage the Seahawks at a special assembly. Check out this article talking about music teacher, LAURIE HELLE and the chant she led.

http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/ourdistrict/news/newsdetail.cfm?NID=156

Maynard Ferguson

Well, I have to share about my evening Sunday night. I was nagged all week by my sophmore son who wanted to go to Jazz Alley over the weekend. He and a buddy were bound and determined to see (and hear) Maynard Ferguson and the Big Bop Nouveau Band perform. I really didn't want to drive in the horrible weather Sunday night - but I'm so glad I did! What a fabulous concert. The ten piece band was "tight," and the drummer, Stockton Helbing was worth the drive all by himself. Has anyone else seen this group?

The picture above was taken by - Bob Gould. Photo was taken in Greenville, Michigan in November 2002. To view a great website, take a look at http://maynard.ferguson.net/default.htm

All-State Info

The information and audition materials for the Junior (8th grade) All
State Choir, Band, and Orchestra are now available online at www.wmea.org
- they are only giving a 2 month window to send audition/apply, so time is
of the essence.

Variations on a Theme from Windows

I thought you guys might enjoy this music:

http://www.songfight.org/music/welcome_to/jimofseattle_wt.mp3

Chase

BRAINCOMPATIBLE TEAC

BRAIN-COMPATIBLE TEACHING
     The Creative Dance Center will present Brain-Compatible Teaching and the
Brain Dance on Sunday, January 22, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Creative
Dance Center (12577 Densmore Ave North in Seattle).  Join Anne Green
Gilbert as she takes participants through her patently successful
five-part conceptual lesson plan and the ten brain-compatible principles.
You will gain new appreciation and a deeper understanding of how movement
and the brain are linked as Anne takes you through the developmental
movement patterns that are part of the Brain Dance and integrate body and
brain, enhancing life-long learning.  For registration information visit
www.creativedance.org/workshops/workshops.cfm or call (206) 363-7281.

Professional Development Opportunity

Evergreen Orff Chapter and our local Kodaly chapter are sponsoring a workshop Jan. 20 and 21 presented by Peter and Mary Alice Amidon.

I quote
"  Peter and Mary Alice are versatile musicians and gifted teachers who are dedicated to traditional song, dance and storytelling.  The Amidons have been headliners at the national OAKE and AOSA Conferences and are founding members of the New England Dancing Masters, publishers of Chimes of Dunkirk, and other collections of traditional Anglo/American dances and singing games for children.  This workshop will focus on the community building power of traditional dance, song and storytelling in the schools, and will include instruction in traditional dances and singing games"

Pre-registration  - Jan. 13 - EOC Members $40, Non members $80

Walk-ins EOC Members $45, Non-members $85

Walk in Friday only - $20 member, $30 nonmember.

Walk in Saturday only Member $30, Nonmember $55

For additional fee 1 credit available from SPY
10 Clock hours available through WMEA

Contact Sue Schultz at    schultzes@wavecable.com,  360-387-9063

Location Meridian Park Elementary
17077 Meridian Ave. N.
Shoreline, WA 98133

To register by mail:

Send fees, name, address, phone, email address, school and district to
Laurie Selle,
10918 203rd ave. E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98391

Congrats to Todd

I know most of you have heard this news two or three times but I feel that it could be given one more time.

Todd Giltner will be inducted into the Washington Music Educators Hall of Fame this February at the state conference in Yakima.  This is an enormous honor, considering he's a string player and received his masters from UW.  :)    Only 8 state music teachers are inducted every other year.

Todd has been at PHS forever.  He also teaches orchestra at several PHS feeder schools.  He's been many students' "orchestra teacher" from 4th grade, through Aylen and then PHS.  That's 9 straight years!!!

Many of you don't know that for many years, Todd has been the chair and organizer of the Washington All State Honor Groups (jazz, band, choir, orchestra, elem choir).  Todd hires guest conductors, finds audition tape screeners, hires managers, coordinates itineraries, caters, transports, houses, and takes full responsibility for thousands of students who are accepted every year for these groups.  This year the groups meet, rehearse and perform in Yakima over Presidents Day Weekend.  He'll be there working 4 days straight, staying up all night,  making it possible for ALL the state's students to be a part of an extremely educational and for some "life-changing" experience.  Of course, he does get paid to do this and he uses those pennies to take his wife out to dinner at KFC.  I'm certain he doesn't manage this task for the money... or the chicken.

I believe Todd is most deserving of this honor because of the way he mentors and counsels his students.  When a student walks through Todd's doors, he knows instantly if something is wrong and will take the time to help that student through what it is they are struggling with.  I've seen him sit and work through math problems, listen as a student seeks help with their troubled home life, help re-write a senior research paper (and the students isn't his mentee) and even give relationship advice to a 17 year old who was going through a bad break up (and it was good advice).  He builds unbreakable bonds with his students and most would tell you he was their favorite teacher.

I can't say enough about him.  He's gotten me through my first five years here at PHS and I know will continue to save my butt for the next five.  I figure by then, he'll have 30 years in and I'll have to start saving his.

Congrats Todd.  You deserve it!  I think there's a KFC in Yakima.  My treat!

eric

WMEA Hall of Fame

On Tuesday night, January 3rd, Todd Giltner learned that he will be inducted into the WMEA Music Educators' HALL OF FAME in February! He will receive his award on Friday, February 17th at the 2:45 keynote session at the WMEA Annual Conference in Yakima.

Todd is in his 21st year as an educator and has worked with the WMEA All-State program for some time now. Todd is a respected musician and orchestra teacher at Puyallup High School, Aylen Junior High, Maplewood, Fruitland and Waller Road Elementary Schools.

Please help me congratulate Todd in receiving this honor.