Archives for September 2009

Okay, yes, it’s a commercial for notebooks. The paper kind. But in my high school world, the day after Labor Day was the “back to school, hope you practiced some, orchestra auditions were coming to get you” signal. For as horribly nerve-wracking as it all was, I get all nostalgic for the work and pressure of that time around this time even to this day.

For those out there getting or giving out the education, best wishes for a great year.

More than any new string quartet or opera premiere, I confess that often it’s this kind of art that more deeply affects me. I don’t think I have any kind of ADD (I also love novels of the 2000-page, tissue-paper print variety) but expressions of the sort below, these kind of quiet, very personal, “glimpse and then it’s gone” peeks behind some very heavy curtains, have always worked their way much deeper into my psyche than more grand gestures seem to penetrate. In this case, a used and abused time-lapse video concept done absolutely brilliantly has me sending those “you have to see this!” emails and hitting replay.

Christoph Rehage, I hope you find your true home.

[via BoingBoing]

A t-shirt created for students in Sedalia, Missouri, to promote the Smith-Cotton High School Tiger Pride Marching Band and “portray how brass instruments have evolved in music from the 1960s to modern day” has devolved into controversy due to the shirt’s allusion to evolution. Students were asked to turn the shirts back in after parents complained.

Choice quotes from the story published in the Sedalia Democrat:

• “I was disappointed with the image on the shirt.” [Band parent Sherry] Melby said. “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school”
• High School junior Adam Tilley said he understood why the shirts were repossessed. “I can see where the parents are coming from,” he said. “Evolution has always been controversial.”

The issue has now attracted international attention and, as you might expect, some colorful reader comments.

In the follow up, the Sedalia Democrat reports that “not only has the public outcry over the T-shirts been a distraction to the students who are working so hard on their marching and music, but the school district has to eat the cost of the shirts, a total of $700.”

As a proud former member of a high school music ensemble myself, I feel for the kid victims in this story. But not to worry, the world now wants these shirts. Biggest band fund raiser ever?

(h/t Darcy James Argue for the link)