GRADING vs. ASSESSING HOW TO START A CHAMBER ENSEMBLE 2020 | VOLUME 5, N0. 1 MikeIn Pursuit ofBlock Efficiency IPS TO PREP FOR GIVE STUDENTS A EDITOR’S NOTE A GUEST ARTIST FINALLY! TIMPANI PASSION + PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE SupportED 2020 Volume 5, Number 1 SOLVED SURVIVE THE ONE TEACHER’S YEAR-END QUEST: AN BUSTLE MAGAZE TET TT INSTRUMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT 2019 VOLUME 4 INTERNATIONAL SAX SENSATION KENNETH MINNESOTA’S TSE STAR ET A MILESTONE 2016 Emily Threinen his issue marks the beginning of the fifth it: “Efficiency holds intrinsic moral value. … Inefficiency year of SupportED. At the time we launched is a kind of sin rooted in a lack of appreciation for the the magazine in 2016, music educators and preciousness of our time and other people’s time.” advocatesT were celebrating the recent passing of the We know how busy you are, so we strive to get right Every Student Succeeds Act. That year, we first heard to the point. We want you to be able to access, consume words like Brexit and Zika. Leonardo DiCaprio and grow from what we are presenting. MORE GOALS MIKE BLOCK’S won his first Oscar, and “Uptown Funk” was named Yes, we are proud of the awards SupportED has won, THAN GRADES MUSICAL QUEST the Record of the Year. In Rio De Janeiro, veteran and we are thrilled to see how issues disappear at state 4 Focusing on course objectives 10 Cellist Mike Block’s output Olympians Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt as well as music education association conferences, The Midwest and learning goals rather than is staggeringly diverse, and he first-timer Simone Biles amazed us. And President Clinic, Jazz Education Network and other shows. But just assessments will help applies a high level of skill, Barack Obama spent his final year in office. we are most happy when we hear from you about how a students and teachers grow. commitment and efficiency into SupportED was born after recognizing a need of particular article has helped you. We hope you enjoy this every style. many band and orchestra directors for more inspiration issue and that you share it with other music educators. CONFERENCE as well as nuts-and-bolts advice. Starting with that Please drop us a line at [email protected] SURVIVAL TIPS SMALL TOWN, first issue, we have used the same lens through which and tell us how we are doing. With feedback from you, we 6 Learn, network and thrive at BIG SOUND all articles must pass — “Will this information help can all be in “The Room Where It Happens” (from 2016’s music education conventions. 14 School size doesn’t restrict someone be a better teacher?” Tony-award winner “Hamilton”) and keep SupportED the musical accomplishments That lens has never changed, and it never will. meaningful and relevant. THE INSIDE at Cle Elum-Roslyn School My personal lens for the articles in SupportED and SCOOP: District in Washington. communication in general remains: “Say exactly what Musically Yours, 9 ERICH BERGEN you mean to say, then stop talking.” “Jersey Boys” and “Madam INSIDE CHAMBER Out of respect to you, the teacher, we must be Secretary” actor Erich Bergen GROUPS efficient and relevant. John Wittmann has a compelling passion and 18 From instrumentation I love how this issue’s featured artist Mike Block states Sr. Director, Artist Relations and Education energy for music education. choices to final performance opportunities, the design of your chamber program INSPIRING, EMPOWERING AND EQUIPPING MUSIC EDUCATORS AND Yamaha SupportED STUDENTS THROUGH FINELY CRAFTED INSTRUMENTS, ACCESS TO LIFE- can improve musicianship, CHANGING MUSICAL EVENTS AND THE SHARING OF GIFTED ARTISTS ADDRESS: communication and fellowship. 6600 Orangethorpe Ave. EDITORIAL ATELIERS Buena Park, CA 90620 Editor: John Wittmann Director of R&D and Ateliers: Bob Malone Managing Editor: Christine Ngeo Katzman EMAIL: Editorial Project Manager: June Kikuchi MARKETING [email protected] Contributing Editor: Jalissa Gascho Director of Marketing: Lisa Steele-MacDonald WEB: Art Director: Brian Bengelsdorf Director of Marketing, Percussion: Steven Fisher YamahaSupportED.com Editor’s Note .............................................1 Sr. Marketing Manager, Winds: Brian Petterson ARTIST RELATIONS AND EDUCATION Marketing Manager, Education: Heather Mansell News & Notes .......................................... 2 Sr. Director, Artist Relations and Education: John Wittmann Artist Relations Manager: Jalissa Gascho CORPORATE OFFICE Letter to Myself .....................................20 President: Tom Sumner SALES Corporate Vice President: Garth Gilman National Sales Director: Doug Steinmetz Cover photo by Eric Levin Photography for Yamaha Corporation of America Regional Sales Manager: Ed Boyer Yamaha SupportED magazine is produced by Regional Sales Manager: David Suter Yamaha Corporation of America 2 SupportED - Empowering Music Educators. 2020 Volume 5, Number 1 1 NEWS & NOTES MOTOR CITY = MUSIC CITY The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is launching “Detroit Harmony” to ensure that all K-12 students throughout the city have access to instruments and music education. “The DSO envisions a time when a culture of music- making defines the experience of growing up in Detroit, TOP 5 when every child will have universal access to music education and every teacher in every school in Detroit will have tools to incorporate arts-based learning into FILMS curricula,” said Anne Parsons, DSO president and CEO, in a news release. ABOUT MUSIC “UKULELE” UKES CONNECT STEAM “The kids can develop their STEAM skills while The DSO initiative will put an instrument into the AND MUSIC “Soul,” the latest Pixar film, is slated to be TRANSLATES also learning how to play the ukulele,” Larsen said in hands of every Detroit public, private and charter school released in June. The main character, voiced by TO “JUMPING Ukuleles take center stage in Allison Larsen’s 6th grade an interview with the Brainerd Dispatch. “If they have a student who wants to learn an instrument. The DSO STEAM class at Cuyuna Range Elementary School passion for music, then maybe that passion draws over to will also look to develop the various professions required Jamie Foxx, is a middle school music educator FLEA” IN in Crosby, Minnesota. Using science, technology, the tech or vice versa. So maybe if they really like STEAM to sustain this expansion of music programs, including who dreams of performing jazz. Music and music HAWAIIAN engineering, arts and math skills, students build, paint, class, it brings their excitement into music class.” teachers, teaching artists, bus drivers and people who education are popular, positive and powerful themes for movies. To celebrate tune and even laser engrave ukuleles. An added benefit Students keep their ukuleles, “so it’s a personalized repair instruments. The plan will include collaboration SupportED’s fifth year of publication, here are our five picks for the best films to this project is the cross-curricular connection with project where they get invested and they make something with like-minded organizations to build partnerships about music education. the school’s music program, giving students a real- that’s theirs,” Larsen said. between schools, arts and culture providers, and funders. 1. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) world perspective of how the different disciplines work In January, Larsen’s students showcased their ukuleles The 18-month planning effort is being funded by 2. School of Rock (2003) in concert. and their musical skills at a STEAM expo. grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and 3. Drumline (2002) the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. 4. Music of the Heart (1999) 5. Fame (1980) 2020 IS THE YEAR OF THE YEAR WHEN THE DSO BONUS: For international film fans, The Chorus (2004) from France. CHICAGO MUSIC Do you agree? Did we miss your favorite flick about a music teacher or music PERFORMED ITS FIRST The Windy City will focus on music this year, desig- SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT education? Let us know at [email protected]. nating 2020 as the “Year of Chicago Music.” This 1887 year-long campaign will provide additional grants for music projects, encourage inclusion and equity, and call DEBUT FELLOWS to build and hone skills in community engagement, on many city sectors to support the music industry. It The Young Musicians Foundation (YMF) announced organization building, advocacy, fund raising and will also include a 17-day celebration of music starting the three recipients of its inaugural Debut Fellows communication. on Memorial Day. Program. They each received a $5,000 stipend, pro- This year’s Debut Fellows are: “Music is our universal language and the common fessional development and direct experience working • Nina Shekhar, a USC composition graduate student thread that ties people together across geography, with the students and communities that YMF serves • Dr. James Sherry, the former director of instru- culture and time,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. in order to further YMF’s commitment to social justice mental music at Johns Hopkins University, the Lightfoot in a press release. “As the birthplace of and radical structural change. University of Dubuque and Mahidol University gospel, house, urban blues and modern jazz — not More than 4,500 pre-K through adult students in in Thailand NUMBER OF to mention home to one of the world’s great classical underserved communities receive music instruction at • Federico Zuniga Jr., a musician in the Latin alter- orchestras — Chicago’s sounds and melodies reflect 26 YMF partner schools and sites in the greater Los native community, who teaches son jarocho style of MUSIC FESTIVALS the diversity and dynamism of the people and Angeles area. By directly working with these YMF music for California’s Arts in Corrections program. IN CHICAGO communities we all call home.” students, Debut Fellows will have the opportunity Visit www.ymf.org/debut-fellowship for information. 2 SupportED - Empowering74 Music Educators 2020 Volume 5, Number 1 3 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT objectives to learning goals to assessments, as seen in the example below.