Getting Better all the Time!

I used to get mad at my school. The teachers who taught me weren't cool. You're holding me down, turning me round. Filling me up with your rules. 

I've got to admit it's getting better. A little better all the time.

-The Beatles

A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found 54% of adults say that they're either uncertain, pessimistic, or worried about the upcoming year. Yes, 2016 was a little rough around the edges, and the body politic may not be exactly what our forefathers envisioned. But through it all, I remain unabashedly and unapologetically optimistic about the coming year.

Why, you ask? Because regardless of the prevailing sentiment, that is what we as a people do... GET BETTER! When viewed through the longer lens of history and evolution, we as a people have always invariably improved.

This is as true for music education as it for us as a people.

In his book Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, Anders Ericsson describes the constant condition of human improvement in a way musician educators can uniquely understand and identify with. As an example of his treatise, Ericcson argues that Mozart's youthful prodigy would not hold up to modern standards or scrutiny. He further states that Little Wolfgang would be considered average according to today’s Suzuki standards.

Blasphempous as it may sound, Anders believes that Mozart's abilities are significantly magnified by the limited musical understanding and teachings of the 18th century. Yep, you heard (read) me right. If Amadeus himself were to wander into today's classroom, he might just find himself hanging with the third violins!

As another, more recent example, Ericcson tells the story of Alfred Cortot, hailed in the 1930s as one of the world's greatest classical musicians. His early recordings of Chopin’s 24 Etudes were considered to be the definitive interpretations of these landmark works.

Today, teachers offer those same recordings, marred with mistakes, wrong notes, and careless technique to be an example of how NOT to play Chopin. Any professional pianist today would be expected to perform Chopin with much greater skills and musicality than the once hailed Cortot did just eighty years ago. To add fuel to the fire, New York Times music critic Anthony Tommassini believes that musical ability has increased so much in the part 80 years that if Cortot were to apply again to his alma mater, The Julliard School, he might not be accepted.

Musically and otherwise, the unmistakable and undeniable fact is that humans are getting better at just about everything we do, including teaching music. Yes, today's student musicians are better in just about every way than they have ever been. 

Why are young musicians getting better? BECAUSE THEIR TEACHERS ARE! You as a teacher are better prepared, better trained and better equipped than any group of music educators to date. Let me be clear, YOU are an example of the finest music educators to have ever stood on a classroom podium!

So how about this... The next time you hear someone complain about how our education system in crisis, or how bad kids are today, look them right in the eye and say...

"The good ole' days weren't all that good, and tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems."

If they don't believe The Beatles, surely they will listen to the Piano Man! 

Bennie, a Nerf gun and my fear of high C's

I am an unabashed lover of all things Christmas. I love the chill in the air (it was brisk 72 degrees last night), the lights, the presents, the music, the scent of pine in the air (candles, cactus don't smell). Heck, I even enjoy shopping.

To add to the holiday festivities, a couple of years ago, our family adopted an Elf on the Shelf. 

For those of you who are unaware, the Elf on the Shelf spends his days motionless and untouched as a silent observer of the children in the house. At night, he comes alive and travels back to Santa with a report of an update of the days events in the Lang household. He returns just in time to wreak a little havoc, before the sun rises and he is rendered motionless once again. My boys awaken each and every morning to find their elf (ours is named Bennie) in a new location with a clue about what he has been up to the night before.

For twenty-four consecutive nights, Bennie has free rein of our house and has been known to be as sweet as he is surly. Trust me, our children have awoken to things both "naughty and nice."

Once, Bennie took our car for a joyride to see holiday lights, leaving it parked sideways in the driveway. Another time, he gave one of our boy's an unexpected haircut. But, my personal favorite was when he used the star on the top of our tree as target practice with my boys' Nerf gun. As you can imagine, Bennie had consequences for that one.

Dealing with Bennie isn't always fun. There are nights when we are exhausted and just want to go to bed. But, for the most part, my wife and I enjoy our nightly ritual as it allows us to keep the magic of Christmas alive for our two boys. Honestly, Bennie might be more for us than the kids.

Why am I telling you this? Because...

I miss teaching this time of year. I really do. I miss the music, the caroling, and the decorations. I miss our holiday party where I would hand out cards to the kids and read them my favorite holiday story. But mostly, I just miss being around kids this time of year.

I wish I could be a band room Bennie. I wish that for twenty-four days that I could return and be their Elf on the Shelf. I have plenty of ideas, and I'm already the right size! I would love to run free at night, creating chaos, leaving presents in instrument cases, and reporting back to the director who has been naughty and who has been nice. I wish I could scheme in the day and execute at night and leave the students in anticipation of what was coming next. Most of all, I wish I could be back in the middle of it all during this time of joy.

In short, I wish I could be YOU.

Yes, like our nightly ritual, teaching this time of year has it's burden's, but it also has a ton of joy. And, I hope you are able to see past the former to enjoy the latter as for me, THIS truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

If you don't have any holiday traditions in your program, start some. If you don't have a social event, create one. If you don't have a charity to support, find one. And, if you need an Elf and have a shelf that can hold about one hundred and fifty pounds, I just might know someone is willing and wanting to help.

 

One-handed typing and my learning opportunities

EDITORS NOTE: Given the pain medication induced delusional state, I have strongly encouraged Scott to take this week off. He ADAMANTLY refuses and insists that his "tens of loyal readers" require him to push forward and past the pain. Can you believe that? He ACTUALLY believes he has more than ten readers. Proof positive he is delusional.

Sitting here typing this newsletter is in many ways a painful experience. Beyond the actual physical pain associated with my surgery, also is the emotional/cognitive pain of trying to do it one handed. It is maddening, to say the least, as it takes three times as long and has four times the mistakes.

Typing isn't my only struggle. Due to an arm immobilizer (designed by Harry Houdini himself), I am relearning to do just about EVERYTHING. My once dominant arm has been rendered a useless relic in a way that only the Biosphere 2 or the Pontiac Aztek could understand.

Eating you ask? I now wear a bib as food placement to my mouth has become more of an approximation, rather than an exact location. Driving? Simple, but I need yoga-esque flexibility to navigate my good arm through the steering wheel to place the key in the ignition. Getting dressed? Let's just say, much to the delight of my six year old, the Lang household has recently loosened it's dress requirements to make pants an optional accessory.

To be honest, the entire experience has me feeling a little dejected, debilitated, and marginalized. Not that my life is so bad, but I am having to adjust as I relearn tasks mastered long ago.

What I have learned during the past week is that for me, learning something new is far easier than letting go of something old.

Because of this unexpected experience, I see now, with greater clarity, the challenges of teaching young people the value of music. I now see the connection between what I am going through for a few short weeks and what they go through for years. This is another reason that makes music education special. When a young person enters our room, we do more than teach them something new (music & instruments), we help them to let go of something old (youth & immaturity).

Let me elaborate.

Teaching young people to read notes and rhythms is important, but helping them to learn to let go of sloppiness and inattention to detail is paramount. Teaching a student a technically challenging passage matters, but helping them to learn dedication through failure in life matters more. Helping students to improvise over chord changes is intimidating, but helping them to find their own creative voice and be vulnerable in front their peers is transcendent. Teaching 125 teenagers eighty-five pages of drill and seven minutes of music is IMPRESSIVE, but teaching young people be a part of something bigger than themselves is MONUMENTAL!

As I said, learning something new is hard, but learning to let go of something old is harder.

And YOU teach BOTH each and every day.

YOU ARE AMAZING!

(Now can you teach me where my pants are and how to put them on?)

Operation and My Holiday Observation

As you read this, I am laying on a surgical table and under general anesthesia. Yep, you read that correctly! If all goes according to plan, while you sip your morning cup o' joe, I will be in lala land, getting sliced and diced like tomorrow's turkey.

I know what you are thinking, "What happened? Are you going to be ok? Are you finally getting plastic surgery?"

Ouch! That hurts... And NO!

Before you get ahead of yourself and start planning my candlelight vigil or bedside prayer gathering (You were planning those, right?), I should probably fill you in.

I tore my rotator cuff.

I would like to tell that I sustained the injury in a glory filled athletic endeavor or an exuberant moment conducting Holst, but you're unlikely to believe either of those. Let's just skip the "how," save you the lie, and me, the embarrassment.

Having never been under general anesthesia before, I had some basic questions and concerns. Would I feel anything? What would I remember? Is this the stuff Michael Jackson used? Can I get it to go?

The doctor was thorough, patient, and professional as he walked me through what to expect both during the procedure and during the extended recovery period.

Am I concerned about the surgery? Nope!

After all, these are highly skilled medical professionals with years of experience. I checked them out and their diplomas were real! Seriously, if you can't trust someone with advanced degrees, professional expertise, and extensive experience, who can you trust?

Which is why I trust you, yes... YOU!

You are every bit the seasoned professional that my doctor is. Your skill sets may be different but the result is the same; you are both professionals worthy of my trust.

Think about it, you have a bachelor degree. You are a highly regarded, experienced veteran teacher with a track record of success. You likely have advanced degrees or even your Doctorate. Some of you are even Nationally Board Certified. To be clear, your credentials can stand alongside any other highly respected professional... But you're not always treated you that way.

I don't know why, in our society, we see a Doctor of Music Education as something less than an M.D., but we do. I don't know why an MBA is more prestigious than a MA, but it is. I don't know why we treat years of standing on a podium as something less than years of standing in an exam room, but it happens. I don't know why we see someone who treats a broken heart as less than someone who treats a broken bone, but this is what our society does each and every day, and I believe it is wrong.

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I am truly blessed to be under the supervision and care of some of the finest professionals on the planet. But even more than that, I am most thankful for the fact that I can say the same about my children.

Thank you for doing what you do.

Stadler, Waldorf, and my recent dinner conversation

Do you remember Stadler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show? You know, the two old cranky but lovable curmudgeons from the balcony. They never met an act they didn't hate and a character they couldn't heckle. They hid hearts of gold behind a caustic tongue and despite their acerbic nature, they were as much a part of the muppet family as anyone.

I recently had dinner with a group of colleagues that I very much respect and admire on both personal and professional levels. They are accomplished teachers, good people, and fun to be around. That is, until they started to channel their inner muppet.

Somewhere between the appetizers and the main course, the conversation turned to young teachers and the future of music education. For almost twenty minutes I sat silently while they went back and forth bemoaning the lack of preparedness and work ethic shown by their younger counterparts. As you might imagine, more than one sentence started with, "When I was a young teacher, I ALWAYS made sure that I....(insert random complaint here)" and ended with, "... these young teachers today NEVER do that!"

As the discussion continued, I grew more and more uncomfortable with the conversation and it's lack of relationship with anything remotely resembling the truth. Not wanting to upset the apple cart, I did what I am NOT normally inclined to do, which is to keep my opinion to myself. Until...

"What do you think Scott?"

(Before you read on, you should know that I REALLY DID try to restrain tongue. My better self made a VALIANT EFFORT to muzzle my mouth. But alas, my inner demons and true self shone through.)

I blurted out...

"I think you guys sound like Stadler and Waldorf, heckling from above not appreciating what is happening below you. As far as I am concerned, young teachers today are MILES ahead of where I was when I started."

In college I didn't do any of these things university students do today, for instance:

  • I didn't study breathing
  • I didn't tech a band prior to student teaching
  • I didn't march drum corps
  • I didn't teach private lessons
  • I didn't attend honor band rehearsals or band day events
  • I didn't get any exposure to student leadership training
  • I didn't have any software training in music or drill writing
  • I didn't attend my state MEA conference
  • I didn't attend Midwest, Grand Nationals, or any other prestigious event

I continued...

"In addition, let's not also forget that these kids are going INTO college better prepared to begin with. As high school students, we now have better private teachers, better community ensembles, better pedagogical materials, and more opportunities to participate than ever before.

Teachers today start college further ahead because they performed from better method books, and individual practice software. They continued to excel through college ensembles that push the envelope and spent their summers marching or teaching young people. None of those opportunities existed when we went college.

Maybe new teachers aren't as good as you were, but they are WAY better prepared than I was. They're not perfect, but neither were we.

Teachers are BETTER prepared than ever before! And, I think the trajectory of our profession is nothing but up, as long as we support and KEEP these young teachers in this profession."

(awkward pause)

"Whatever you say Fozzie!"

Ouch... That hurt.

In that moment, I could feel my inner Waldorf coming out! Anyone want to join in and be my Stadler?

Have a great week.

My Thanksgiving Activity

Next week will be filled with many opportunities to give thanks for the blessings we experience as music educators each and every day. Years ago, as a way of giving back to my colleagues.I created an activity that allowed my students to say thank you to those people who had helped to make the fall semester such a success. This quick and easy writing activity not only helps to create a sense of gratitude among your students, but establish good will among your school colleagues. Honestly, the first time I did it, I was shocked at how much the faculty appreciated this small gesture of kindness.

I am attaching a copy of the assignment to this blog. All you have to do is print, hand out to your students, and deliver to your colleagues. Keep in mind the following things:

  • give the kids time in class to do it

  • remind them that the more they give, the more they get

  • encourage them to write more than one note

  • I have included a single and split sheet version

  • it is in MS word, so feel free to customize or alter

  • tell them it has to go to someone on campus

  • give yourself a day to sort and deliver (due this no later than Tuesday of next week)

When I first did this, I had NO IDEA the impact it would have, but I literally would see teachers tear up as they read the notes. 

Be sure to share your results with me so I can live vicariously through you.
 
That is all for now. Have a great week

Thanks in part to me, Joe Hart has a new job!

voting-pin.jpg

Yesterday was election day! The country's bi-ennial electoral process is complete and the results are in. The result? Half of you are in ecstasy and the other half are in agony. The only people who are one hundred percent happy are the cable news pundits and prognosticators. 

Like most of you, I voted. I cast my ballot and affirmed the right granted to me by our forefathers and inscribed in our constitution. I made my voice heard and ensured that my vote was counted. Yes, that's right. Yesterday, I proudly cast my vote for... State Mine Inspector! 

Seriously? They want me to vote on mine inspector?

Look, I am not saying we shouldn't inspect mines, in fact, I'm pretty sure that's good idea. I am just saying that I might not be your go-to guy on this one. I don't know anything about mines or any other holes in the ground, so it is unlikely that I am going to be able to make the right call. For this decision, you might be better off talking to my dog, Rexi. She has considerable expertise and experience in hole digging and is, dare I say, somewhat of a savant in this area. Don't believe me? I have a backyard full of evidence that says otherwise. Heck, Rexi should run for the office of State Mine Inspector. But she didn't, so I voted for someone else.

Joe Hart is the guy who got my vote for State Mine Inspector. You know why? Not because his party affiliation. Not because of his qualifications. Not because of his impressive background in all things mine related. I didn't vote for him because of his website, campaign literature, or his incredible performance in the Mine Inspector Debates. I voted for him because he was the only one on the ballot.

That's right, he is running unopposed. And he's not the only one. His candidacy is joined in its singularity by the offices of State Treasurer, City Constable, two State Supreme Court Justices, three appeals court judges, four school governing board members, and the County Dog Catcher, where once again, Rexi would make for a more informed voter.

As a country, we like politics in the same way we like our schools: we talk a lot and walk a little. We want to expend very little effort but achieve great results. We want to spend no money but achieve great things. We create a fuss when we are mad but don't praise when all is going well. We want ACTION, as long as it coincides with our beliefs. Most of all, we want accountability for everyone else, while we sit on the couch and watch re-runs of season sixty-four of Survivor.

Through it all, you take the beating and keep on teaching. You do the job that everyone thinks is important, but no one wants to do. You work longer hours, achieve greater results, and do it for for less money than ever before. While everyone (myself included) talks about democracy, you teach it. While everyone else cries for better schools, you build them. While everyone hopes for a better future, you create it.

Thank you for your service to our country and our children. Thank you for teaching them in your classes, eating with them at lunch, and supervising them while at play. Thank you for caring for them morning, noon, and night. Thank you for safeguarding the minds, hearts, and bodies. Just... Thank you!

Yes, our MINES are now safe, because of Mr. Joe Hart, but our children's MINDS are safe because of you!

Morning email and my Dear Abby response!

CONTENT WARNING: If you are thin skinned, have severe reactions to thoughtful conversations, or are just in a general cranky mood, please do not read any further. You need not unsubscribe as I will be back to my normal cheeky self next week.

Please understand that this weeks e-zine is not a blue print for institutional anarchy. Nor is it an excuse for musical mediocrity. These are just some of my honest reflections after receiving a heartfelt email this morning in my inbox...

Scott:

Yesterday I returned from our state contest with a rating of straight threes and 30 heart-broken kids. I was devastated. I hated myself for not being able to do more for my kids, for not being able to give them what they deserved. Where did I go wrong? Did I pick the wrong pieces? Are my teaching methods ineffective? More than anything I wished the judges knew how hard these kids have been working and how far they've come.

I wished they knew what this group sounded like back in August. I wished they knew that this ensemble hasn't qualified for State in almost a decade. I wished they knew that we've been rehearsing in a gym all year because the administration thought two band periods was excessive and decided two bands could rehearse at the same time when we only have one band room and not enough instruments to go around.

But they didn't know any of that. All they knew is that we were poorly balanced, out of tune, and only had three percussionists. So we got straight threes and a snide comment from a judge that alluded to, "It's ok, you're young and you don't know what you're doing yet". And I hated myself for it.

Sincerely,

In need of a friend

ear In Need,

I am sorry that your recent experience has left you and your students with the belief that you have in some way failed. Trust me, you have not.

Please know that what you are feeling is not by design or intent. Also, know that the judges truly want what to do what is right. They are acting in a way that they think is best for you, your students, and every other young person who strives for excellence on the field, stage, and in the classroom.

But that likely does not make you feel much better... You know that life isn't fair and neither are music contests.

Truth be told, on a philosophical level, I have always struggled a bit with some of the ways that we adjudicate ensembles. I understand and support both the need and desire to reward excellence; however, despite our best attempts, like most large undertakings, our festival system is imperfect. Specifically, I struggle with the following fact(s):

  • We often measure product more than process/growth. As an educational activity, perhaps we should measure student growth more than the final product. Educationally speaking, would it be more appropriate, in selecting a "champion," to take all of the group's score from their first competition and compare their final performance at state? We would then award first place to the ensemble showing the greatest differential.
  • Socio-ecomonics are not more of a consideration. When assessing school performance, our Federal Department of Education recognizes the unique challenges associated with poverty and adjusts the school's performance rubric accordingly. I wonder if we shouldn't be doing the same in music. We all know the unique challenges organizations serving impoverished communities face, it just doesn't seem as if we have accounted for them in our adjudication rubrics.
  • We're measuring adult achievement as much as we are student achievement. I am confident that you are a fine teacher. But, you are just that, ONE fine teacher. I would further guess that if you were accompanied by other fine teachers and world class drill and music, your same students would have had a markedly different experience. So who was really being judged more on Saturday, the students or the teacher?
  • We don't better account for the challenges associated with size. My guess is that had you returned with 130 students from contest, they would be a little less devastated. It is hard to wow an audience visually or musically when your ensemble resembles a singular math class more than an outdoor performance ensemble. It is even harder when your group is classified by school size and not ensemble size. Enrollment numbers help with depth, musical & general effect, instrumentation, inner ensemble competition, and parent/financial support. Numbers are the currency of this activity, musically, educationally and financially. This does not mean that bigger is always better, just perhaps presents fewer obstacles.

Please understand that the people who put on shows are serving you and your students in the VERY BEST way they know how and are doing all of this IN ADDITION to running their own program. Also know that there are no "one size fits all" answer or contests and someone will always be left under-served. Also keep in mind, this is part of the process of getting better, both for the teacher and the students.

But more so than anything, I believe your job as their teacher is to give your students materials and opportunities that gives them their best chance at success. And regardless of the results, to role model and guide them through the learning process in a way that gives them their best opportunity to grow and learn about life.

Keep in mind that in the end, your students are unlikely to remember their ranking or score, but will always remember YOU and how you responded to the moment.

Sincerely,

Been there too

My response to "In Need" is intended to provoke thought and remind you that the contest experience is what we make of it. I understand that my thoughts/suggestions create just as many problems as they do solutions along with some VERY complicated logistics.

I also want to say THANK YOU to every person, parent, or organization that runs these events and to you for attending them. No other curricula puts itself on the line in such a public way, and I want you to know that YOU have my (and others) unending gratitude, respect, and support.

 

Baggage Fees and lessons learned at 27,000 feet

 

 

 

As I write this e-zine, I am flying the friendly skies, headed for parts unknown. Having done this more than a few times, you would think flying would get old, but for me, it doesn't. I'm not saying that travel is all wine and roses, but there are experiences to be had and sights to be seen that can't be had any other way.

You have your daily commute and I have mine. They are likely very similar, just at different altitudes. We also likely spend them in similar pursuits, thinking about the day ahead and the ever growing to do list. Throughout my travels, I have learned a few things that I thought I might share... Will you indulge me?

  • Baggage fees serve an important purpose. Admittedly, these fees are likely a cash grab by monopolistic industry, but it does serve as a behavior modifier... It encourages people to pack less and travel lighter. On planes and in our lives, unnecessary baggage weighs heavy upon on and weighs us down. Perhaps if our professions and lives had fees associated with the burden of baggage, we would carry less of it and be more nimble.

 

  • Loyalty matters. Frequent fliers know that loyalty to an airline is EVERYTHING. Frankly, it's less about the good days and more about having someone on your side during the bad ones. The perks of a good seat or boarding the plane first pale in comparison to the benefit of having someone on your side when a flight is cancelled and you are trying to get home. As I said, loyalty yields the greatest gain on the worst of days. Think about that next time you are in your principal's office with an upset parent.

 

  • The seat is less important than the person sitting in it. First Class, Business Class, Economy Plus, and Advantage Select are all ways that the various airlines indicate the most desirable seats. For me, it is less about legroom (I require very little) and location, than it is about than the person I am placed with. On more than one occasion, I have laughed my way through the skies engrossed in conversation sitting in a middle seat. I have also been trapped with an upgrade next to a "first class a$$." The quality of the trip is not dependent upon the seat but the person sitting in it. Sometimes the best of people can make the worst of circumstances more bearable, so when possible, choose your travel companions wisely.

It has been said that, "The lesson will continue to present itself until the student truly learns it." In this way, I am still the student. I struggle with these things as much as anyone. I, too, am working to carry less baggage, be more loyal, and surround myself with the best people possible. Perhaps you might be interested in joining me as my travel companion. After all, I am working to surround myself with nothing but the best.

There is more to share, but I have another plane to board, and another lesson to be learned.

Have a GREAT week and good luck in all of your performances this week!

The nut & bolt and the October plateau...

We interrupt our normally scheduled email with this important message. Fear not (or fear), Scott will return next week with his (un)usual snarky and slightly useless insights. We should also note, this email was comprised at an unreasonable hour, so please be forgiving if we missed dotting an "i" or crossing a "t."

Tonight, I received SIX calls from phone calls from frantic directors whose groups had HIT THE WALL, or as I call it, the October plateau.

You know what I'm talking about. We've all been there. You go to rehearsal each and every day, but nothing seems to be getting better. The kids are grumpy, the staff is even grumpier and you are scanning Monster.com for a new career. Sound familiar?

While their specific circumstances differed slightly, the callers were all looking for the same thing; a group activity that would lift their group out of the doldrums, rekindle their spirit, and remind them why this activity is so important.

As I put together my thoughts and ideas, it occurred to me that some of you might also be in need of a similar sort of thing. 

So, I scrapped this weeks newsletter and decided to send you this video instead. 

I want to share with you a very special activity I did with my students during difficult times called The Nut and Bolt. It was one of my favorite teaching traditions and I can't believe I waited this long to share it. 

Should you decide to use it, you can show this video, or use a script that I am attaching. Fear not, no one needs to know this came from me. Take credit and enjoy the experience and the effect it has on you and your students. 

If you decide to so this activity, just go to your local hardware store and purchase one bolts and three nuts for every student. It should be less than ten dollars as you can buy them in bulk.

I am also attaching a copy of my 50 quick ideas for sectional bonding. It comes from my first book Leadership Travel Guide. If you have questions about the activity or the documents, please feel free to contact me at any time.