Holiday Gift Ideas for Musicians

Eva — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:46:18 +0000

Buying gifts for musicians can be a nightmare, if only for the single fact you just never know what they may need or want. What makes the decision even more difficult is that you don’t want to break the bank, but at the same time, you don’t want to buy something too cheap for fear of dealing with terrible quality.

Here is a basic link to follow that really amounts to a general Google search for musical instrument establishments in the Dallas area. If anything, this may take you in at least a better direction that walking aimlessly in a music store without a clue. Keep in mind that some of the establishments mentioned do not have websites.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&prmd=imvns&resnum=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=649&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=musical+instrument,+dallas+texas&fb=1&gl=us&hq=musical+instrument,&hnear=0x864c19f77b45974b:0xb9ec9ba4f647678f,Dallas,+TX

No Longer A “Boys Only” Club

Eva — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:38:19 +0000

Playing guitar has too often been considered an instrument for guys. Names like Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Al DiMeola and Jeff Beck are thought to be at the top of guitar-playing world. As noted, all of these individuals are men.

Still, women have made their impact known in the world of guitar. One can argue, however, that while strides have been made in making the guitar an instrument in which girls/women can have a powerful voice, those strides are often overridden by the pangs of objectification in how these female guitarists are marketed.

Luckily, this blog does not serve as a platform for politics between genders. All we are simply saying is that guitar is not just “for the boys”. Girls/women are taking to the instrument with purpose, and what’s more, if not for the rather unfortunate ignorance of placing value on aesthetics rather than talent, one could see that girls/women and guitars have always been more than just a pretty face with a shiny instrument. Check out a small selection of female guitarists through the years. Enjoy!

Orianthi Panagaris:

Bonnie Raitt:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe:

Ana Vidovic:

When It’s All Too Much

Eva — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:28:18 +0000

One of the more telling characteristics of day and age is the level of stress that has become evident in children. The days of “kids just being kids” have fallen by the wayside and been replaced with the same go-go schedule and expectations that seem to have engulfed the general adult population. Whether it’s an advent of new technology, more rigorous standards and practices on all tasks at school and home, or the continual pressures to “keep up with the Joneses,” kids are truly pulled in different directions.

These stresses also become compounded by the very nature of the child — the need for exploration and pursuing interests that excite them. Music lessons are often part of this exploration, with the child citing an interest in learning a musical instrument because they have friends that are taking lessons or they would like to play a song they heard on the radio. These interests, while valuable and substantiated, are not weighed out with pros and cons. Rather, these interests are spur of the moment and somewhat reactive. What’s more, the child is often young and not savvy enough to understand that they may already have a significant workload, with school and other extracurricular activities making music lessons more of a hassle than a genuinely positive experience. Couple this with Mom and Dad shuffling around their own schedules to meet the demands of their kids’ academic and extracurricular activities, and trying to fit in music lessons becomes a chore for them instead of an enriching experience for their child(ren). It’s a vicious cycle that often means abandoned instruments, not to mention wasted time and money.

Below are a few links to articles that help break down the issue of childhood stress and the impact that this stress can have not just on the specific child, but on the family as a whole. You will also find that these articles help provide ways in which parents, and their children, can better cope with the hectic lifestyle that is indicative of this first tenth of the 21st century.

The Overbooked Child: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/the-overbooked-child

Extracurricular Activities: http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/involved_school.html#

Balancing School with Extracurricular Activities: http://www.everydayhealth.com/kids-health/balancing-school-with-extracurricular-activities.aspx

Avoid The Perils of Overcommitment: http://www.mommd.com/avoidovercommitting.shtml

Stress Solutions for Your Kids: http://www.parade.com/health/spring-health-guide/slideshow/stressed-out-kids.html

Never Underestimate the Power of Animation

Eva — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:27:52 +0000

For decades, the advent of cartoons and their popularity with kids has created a fervent line of opposition to this forms of (and one would argue this classification) entertainment. We’ve all heard the criticisms before (and, given a particular spat with a kid, shared the criticism):

“It’ll rot their brains!”

“It’s all garbage! Nothing but potty humor and bad drawing.”

“Cartoons brainwash kids, and the people who put that trash on the air know it’ll make the kids zombies. It’s sad really.”

Well, if I may, below is a look at Bugs Bunny taking on the role of Leopold Stokowski and, in effect, making the world of classical music and animation a rollicking good time . While it may be a spoof of sorts (and one that dates back to the late 1940s), it must be noted that as an animated short embodying all of the elements of a powerful opera, it is easy to forget that what you are watching is a cartoon rabbit that, as you’ll see, just wants to play his banjo. It certainly gives one something to think about, but don’t think too hard; after all, it’s a Bugs Bunny cartoon — have fun.

Itzhak Perlman – Virtuosity and Heart

Eva — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:34 +0000

Undeniably the reigning virtuoso of the violin, Itzhak Perlman enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to the irrepressible joy of making music, which he communicates. In January 2009, Mr. Perlman was honored to take part in the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, premiering a piece written for the occasion by John Williams and performing with clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist Gabriela Montero, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In December 2003 the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts granted Mr. Perlman a Kennedy Center Honor celebrating his distinguished achievements and contributions to the cultural and educational life of our nation. In May 2007, he performed at…(follow this link to read more on Itzhak Perlman: http://www.itzhakperlman.com/about/)

Though the bio information provided above stems from Mr. Perlman’s official site biography (and, in turn, may be slightly skewed in its view), even the casual listener cannot deny the beauty of his musicianship. Below is a video of Mr. Perlman playing the “Theme to Schindler’s List”, composed by John Williams.

Luciano Pavarotti – The Man, The Legend

Eva — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:34:35 +0000

There are few words that can express the true awe-inspiring talent and majesty that were embodied by Luciano Pavarotti. From his triumphant debut on the world stage in the 1960s to his internationally-acclaimed humanitarian efforts celebrated up to his death in 2007, his impact is unmatched and certainly incomparable. Below is a link the official website for Maestro Pavarotti, as well as video that, by technicalities, captures the beauty of his performances, but in no way captures his sheer power and brilliance. Enjoy.

http://www.lucianopavarotti.com/indexeng.html#biografia

Leonard Bernstein – A True Original

Eva — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:56:15 +0000

A presence on Broadway, in Hollywood, at Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein was a major force in twentieth century music. His exuberant and dramatic style caught the heart of America, bringing classical music to thousands of people from diverse backgrounds. More than any American conductor before him, Bernstein expanded the audience of classical music while maintaining a deep artistic integrity.

Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1918. His parents were first generation Jewish immigrants from Russia. Though he began learning the piano at age ten, his family hoped he would follow a more practical route, and sent him to the Boston Latin School. After graduating, he attended Harvard University, where he…(follow link to learn more: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/leonard-bernstein/reaching-for-the-note/489/)

To see a greater depth to Bernstein and his singularly original contribution to music, watch him behind the podium in the video below. Enjoy.

Aaron Copland – An American Icon

Eva — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:22:13 +0000

Aaron Copland was one of the most respected American classical composers of the twentieth century. By incorporating popular forms of American music such as jazz and folk into his compositions, he created pieces both exceptional and innovative. As a spokesman for the advancement of indigenous American music, Copland made great strides in liberating it from European influence. Today, ten years after his death, Copland’s life and work continue to inspire many of America’s young composers.

Copland was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 14, 1900. The child of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, he first learned to play the piano from his older sister. At the age of sixteen he went to Manhattan to study with Rubin Goldmark, a respected private music instructor who taught Copland the fundamentals of counterpoint and composition. During these…(follow link to read more: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/aaron-copland/about-the-composer/475/)

Also, check out this link to one of the most notable compositions from Aaron Copland, “Fanfare for the Common Man”: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5158688

Baby, Music and Me

Eva — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:10:58 +0000

Music is such a powerful force. We bop our heads to it, tap our feet to the rhythm, and in some extreme cases, we don Dr. Martin’s “stomping” boots and release our aggression. Still, one thing that is important to keep in mind is how powerful music can be to our children, and namely, infants. By their very developmental nature, infants are sponges, taking in everything in their environment such as the building blocks of language, facial expressions, and coordination of their bodies as a whole.

Most importantly, music is a tremendous vehicle for mom and baby to bond, to make their already anthropologically significant connection even closer. As such, Music At Your House/Park Cities School of Music offer “Baby, Music and Me” classes. Below is a link to the Music At Your House/Park Cities School of Music website for more formal information about what our studio offers. Also, don’t hesitate in checking out the additional links that give you information on the benefits of music for you and baby.

http://www.musicatyourhouse.com/Music_At_Your_House/Baby,_Music_%26_Me.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111016212019.htm

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/4453/bring-music-into-your-baby-s-life

http://articles.cnn.com/2002-06-27/tech/coolsc.babymusic_1_classical-music-babies-music-teacher?_s=PM:TECH

Music for Little Mozarts

Eva — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:48:46 +0000

Park Cities School of Music is offering Music for Little Mozarts five (5) days a week. The title is perhaps a misnomer, with many people assuming that the program caters to only the rare, tropical musical genius in the family. In actuality, Music for Little Mozarts is more of a developmental tool that incorporates music in the progression of a child’s way of thinking and approaching all things analytical. Moreover, this program, while musical in nature, also goes so far as to touch on the diverse manners in which children learn, be they tactile, audio/visual, and even kinesthetic learners.

Take a look at the links below that take you to the Music At Your House/Park Cities School of Music website. They will give you a little extra information on the courses, times, and pricing from our studio, plus you will have the chance to take a look at our instructor, Biliana Dimitrova.

http://www.musicatyourhouse.com/Music_At_Your_House/Little_Mozart_Group_Classes.html

http://www.musicatyourhouse.com/Music_At_Your_House/Teachers.html