I have discussed time and time again on this blog how schools need to evolve from ancient methods of education and advance into 21st century teaching methods. Our declining graduation rates and poor test scores are obvious signs that we need to do something different. Others, however, insist that beating our kids will keep them [...]
Archive of posts filed under the Philosophies & Theories category.
Teaching is ‘not like making motorcars’
Sir Ken Robinson is on the offensive once more, arguing that we are facing a dangerous situation in our current global industrial style of education. It appears he gave another TED talk this year, with his last one being in 2006 which I shared here. This time around, he also gave a brief interview with [...]
Are Schools Killing Creativity?
I don’t have a lot of time to write at the moment, but I came across this video and had to share it. Promoting creativity in schools is a strong passion of mine, and in this video Ken Robinson argues how we are currently killing creativity in children and teaching them to be afraid of [...]
What Motivates You?
Happy New Year to everyone! Around this time of year, many people have a set of resolutions they set to change themselves for the better. The only problem with resolutions is that they usually only apply to ourselves, therefore we can easily change our minds without worry or fear. In a job, or as a [...]
Is “Band” Dying?
Earlier today I performed with the Oconomowoc Legion Band at St. John’s Military Academy for their 125th anniversary celebration. We were set up in a beautiful part of the campus, a wide-open green area with American flags forming a “U” shape on the far end. At least a couple hundred chairs were set up for [...]
The ‘Politics’ of Band and ‘Musical Conceit’/Cowardly Letters
As long as I have this stuff on my mind, I’ll go ahead and write a few reflective notes on my return to Milwaukee community band-playing. Thanks to Donna Kummer and the Wauwatosa Community Band for the warm welcome back. It looks like I’ll be playing 2nd alto sax with this group. I was a [...]