Saving music has become a social responsibility.  Without a communal effort music would slowly disappear and stop existing in the way it does now.  If we left it to our government, music would slowly be cut from our schools. 

I was doing a little searching around and stumbled into VH1. I started reading about all of the things that they are doing to help "Save the Music" in our schools.  VH1's Save the Music Foundation is dedicated to restoring instrumental music programs to ensure that all children have access to a complete education.  I was surprised that their initiatives were so developed on many levels.  At their site, you can educate yourself on the issues surrounding the subject.  They also have links to MENC Music Educators National Conference and NAMM National Association of Music Merchants who are the authorities when it comes to music education. 

We should all take a little bit of the load and do our part.  We can start by educating ourselves.  Here is a link provided by Save the Music.

http://vh1savethemusic.com/node/142 

Share it with a few of your friends and family today.

I was watching "So You Think You Can Dance" last night.  It is the beginning of the season and you get a chance to spend twenty seconds getting to know a contestant on the show and what they are going through.  The judges are making decisions as to who gets to move on to the next level of competition.  This is the time where they see some amazing things in individuals.  Judges find their hopefuls to win the show.  This process can be a frustrating one for them, especially if their hopeful doesn't always rise to the occasion.

I began to sympathize with the judges and I think that all teachers at some point have put more than a little extra energy into a student because you want to see them succeed.  I remember visualizing them achieving what it is I wanted them to gain from a rehearsal.  I still do.   The truth is sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.   When it isn't happening disappointment can set in and I can become frustrated.   This is definitely a part of the teaching process. This frustration, I think, is somehow connected to our passion.  You know that thing that really makes you want the students to "get it"?  

Teaching is definitely not an easy job.  It takes a certain kind of person to be responsible for guiding and educating a young one.  There were times I had the patience and times that I did not.  Most of my teaching experience has been centered on teaching high school aged girls color guard.  When I look back at fifteen years of teaching I can remember that frustrated feeling the judges were talking about last night.  Some of which I know can be handled by better managing.  Setting expectation and smaller goals along the way were some of the things I did to improve aspects of my programming but also made achieving what I was asking more consistent.  This helped with the disappointment problem I was having. 

No, I don't think my solution will be right for everyone.  I don't think Debbie Allen, judge from "So You Think You Can Dance" will be considering.  The older I get the more patience I have.  This also allows me to try and respond positively before giving criticism; something else I got better at.   Yes, I am definitely more thoughtful of my teaching processes.  Some things do get better with age.  I'm glad that was one of them considering I'm still teaching.

Here is a link that should be helpful when dealing with students.  http://tep.uoregon.edu/resources/faqs/motivatingstudents/motivating.html

Marcus Brown, Founder CEO MyBandStaff.com

I  believe that our activity had made many strides over the yeasr.  We continue to make it through after a faultering ecomony.  Some way we make it through budget cuts and the ever growing pinch on music programs.  Drum Corps and marching band is an old American theme that will continue to play again and again.  Have you notices all of the clips of cadences played in hip hop records and commercials?  There are even movies made now that celebrate our activity.  One of them is called "Drumline".  This is was more of a mega hit with super stars designed to appeal to the masses and generate cash flow.  Some may feel that it is not true to the activity.

I have recently met a gentleman by the name of Ed Maher.  He owns a production company called JEM Fils LLC.   Their movie is presented by John E. Maher and produced by Ed.  The name of it is called "Throw it Down".  Is is a film about Drum Corps and features the Blue Coats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton Ohio on their challenging 80-day "Connexus" tour across America.  Brilliant widescreen cinematography and carefully mastered audio will immerse you in the Bluecoats' breathtaking journey into heat, pain , fatique and ultimately celebration.

Unlike the made for that masses version, this film is focused on the everyday aspects of being in a drum corps.  I was taken back through a time warp several times by watching the movie considering my four years of performaing with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.  This movie does a good job of communicating what communal living is like on and off the road. It is a core part of the experience.

If you are a drum corps enthusiast, I definitely recommend this for your viewing. www.throwitdownthemovie.com