This past Monday, First Lady Michelle Obama was introduced to the staff of the United States Department of Education, by Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.Click here for the transcript and videoThe highlights of her presentation are as follows:"So, the Department of Education is going to be at the forefront of many of the things that we have to do in this administration, and … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama at the USDOE: The Themes of an Education Agenda
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On the Death of Lukas Foss
A giant of classical music died this week: Lukas Foss. Was he as well known as Leonard Bernstein or Aaron Copland? No, I am sorry to say. There's something about the way classical music is changing, where it seems that only the most marquee names are remembered. That's a shame. Foss was a powerhouse of a talent: conductor, composer, pianist. The glory days of the Milwaukee … [Read more...] about On the Death of Lukas Foss
The State High School for the Arts in Minnesota faces major cuts
The Perpich Center for Arts Education's State Arts High Schools,has, for quite some time now, been a very important model for arts centered high schools, while also serving as one of the nation's most important centers for K-12 arts education.Governor Tim Pawlenty has submitted a budget which cuts away $2.2 million of a overall budget of $7 million, while eliminating "outreach" … [Read more...] about The State High School for the Arts in Minnesota faces major cuts
The Nexus between Jazz and Classical Music
The Nexus between Jazz and Classical Music brings me to the great, great, great, Benny Golson!!!, who was just honored by the Kennedy Center. Benny has a new CD on the Concord label, New Time, New 'Tet, where the "album's song choices advance a subtle but genuinely seductive proposal: what if jazz, conventionally defined, is overdue for re-inspection and revision? What if … [Read more...] about The Nexus between Jazz and Classical Music
The National Endowment for the Arts Speaks about The Stimulus Package
Today, The National Endowment for the Arts issues a statement about arts and the economic stimulus package.It's most interesting as it positions the Arts Endowment well as a mechanism for distributing funds. As most of you know, the House version of the package, which has already been passed, includes $50 million for the NEA over and above its baseline of funding.For the … [Read more...] about The National Endowment for the Arts Speaks about The Stimulus Package