I have had many a conversation about how the dividing lines among musical genres (and other arts disciplines) were "breaking down or blurring." So, as I was watching this video about a really swell festival taking place next month, "Sonic: Sounds of a New Century" by The American Composers Orchestra, I was quite struck by John Schaefer talking about the group of young … [Read more...] about I Hate to Be Out of Step: Have the Dividing Lines Among Musical Genres Disappeared?
Batuta — Columbia’s El Sistema. An Essay by Eric Booth and Tricia Tunstall
As I write, I am staring out the window on the 7:00 Acela heading to DC from New York Penn Station. I have a board meeting of Common Core, for which I am board treasurer. What was a sunny day in New York, has turned into a deep fog. The train moves through the fog like a bullet through space. Oh, and let me make a plug for the upcoming report by Common Core on the narrowing … [Read more...] about Batuta — Columbia’s El Sistema. An Essay by Eric Booth and Tricia Tunstall
Whiplash: Moving From K-12 to Higher Education
For those who have followed Dewey21C, hopefully you've noticed that I have been silent since the end of July. A month off from work followed that last post, and as we're blowing through September, I have started a new chapter in my career as Dean of the Mannes College The New School for Music. It's not all that often that one gets a month off. It was a month that I viewed as … [Read more...] about Whiplash: Moving From K-12 to Higher Education
A Favorite Arts Ed Video: The Mural Project at JHS256
I have always been fond of project-based learning. And this mural project is one true exemplar. The opportunities for many to be engaged in a multi-year arts project, that combines youth development, art, music, history, social studies, literacy, and more. Not to mention, it's a stunning work. Click on over to this YouTube video, and pass the link along to your … [Read more...] about A Favorite Arts Ed Video: The Mural Project at JHS256
Waiting For Godot. If You Test It They Will Come. (Updated)
With today's NY Daily News article about the New York City Department of Education's arts assessment program, I thought I would update and repost this entry from a few month's back. Let me start with some new thoughts and then segue right into the original entry. I was a member of the NYS Regents Task Force that helped to develop the assessment program for principal and … [Read more...] about Waiting For Godot. If You Test It They Will Come. (Updated)