Monday, August 31, 2009
Position Statement in "the Instrumentalist"
Please check p. 27 of this month's "The Instrumentalist" magazine. Our "position statement on curriculum reform" is there along with our web address in the index. This was adopted by the membership at this summer's convention. Hopefully, this document will spur other groups and individuals to advocate music (and band programs in particular) in our schools! This is also part of what will be our work with the ABA. Please make this document available to YOUR school administration and policy makers! Thanks!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thanks for a great year!
To all ASBDA members:
Thanks for a great year. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your President for 2008-2009. I feel that we made great progress as an Association and hope that all of you will continue to support our new President and President-Elect as they reshape ASBDA! Also, this is the time for you to do something for the Association by volunteering for committee work, writing an article for the newsletter, and/or becoming a mentor for a prospective new member! ASBDA is a SELF-help organization, so it's up to YOU to keep us going! Have a great year!
Jeff Phillips
ASBDA President 2008-2009
Thanks for a great year. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your President for 2008-2009. I feel that we made great progress as an Association and hope that all of you will continue to support our new President and President-Elect as they reshape ASBDA! Also, this is the time for you to do something for the Association by volunteering for committee work, writing an article for the newsletter, and/or becoming a mentor for a prospective new member! ASBDA is a SELF-help organization, so it's up to YOU to keep us going! Have a great year!
Jeff Phillips
ASBDA President 2008-2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sad News
We have received word this afternoon of the passing of ASBDA Past President Seymour Okun.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Dorfman Chapel, 30440 West Twelve Mile Road, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Interment will follow at the Temple Beth El Cemetery.
The family invites you to join them for a luncheon immediately following, which will occur in the Town Room of the 5000 Town Center Building. The building is a high rise located at the southwest corner of Evergreen and Civic Center Dr, in Southfield, Michigan. The entrance is on Civic Center, and complimentary valet parking is provided.
The Okun family will green their guests at a Shiva on Monday, August 31, begining at noon, in the home of Suzanne Okun, which is the 5000 Town Center Building, #2501.
The family suggests that contributions be made to the Faye and Seymour Okun Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Faye and Seymour Okun Fund at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, or a charity of your choice.
Should any further information be made available, it will be posted here immediately.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday at the Dorfman Chapel, 30440 West Twelve Mile Road, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Interment will follow at the Temple Beth El Cemetery.
The family invites you to join them for a luncheon immediately following, which will occur in the Town Room of the 5000 Town Center Building. The building is a high rise located at the southwest corner of Evergreen and Civic Center Dr, in Southfield, Michigan. The entrance is on Civic Center, and complimentary valet parking is provided.
The Okun family will green their guests at a Shiva on Monday, August 31, begining at noon, in the home of Suzanne Okun, which is the 5000 Town Center Building, #2501.
The family suggests that contributions be made to the Faye and Seymour Okun Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Faye and Seymour Okun Fund at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, or a charity of your choice.
Should any further information be made available, it will be posted here immediately.
Mark Your Calendars - MidWest Clinic Meeting Room, Date & Time Announced!
Hi everyone! Mark your calendars now - ASBDA will be having a breakfast meeting, complete with Continental Breakfast at the Hyatt at McCormick Place, Room CC22B, on Friday, December 19, 2009 from 7 a.m. til 9 a.m.
While this is not an official business meeting, this is a great time of sharing, getting updates on the progress of our regionalization, implementation of the Handbook Newly Revised, and on the wonderful Convention being planned for us by the Florida Delegation - remember, this year we'll be at a brand new facility (opening within a few weeks!!!) and will be working together with the Florida Bandmaster's Association for our convention - you won't want to miss the updates about that!
Mark your calendars - Chicago's calling!
While this is not an official business meeting, this is a great time of sharing, getting updates on the progress of our regionalization, implementation of the Handbook Newly Revised, and on the wonderful Convention being planned for us by the Florida Delegation - remember, this year we'll be at a brand new facility (opening within a few weeks!!!) and will be working together with the Florida Bandmaster's Association for our convention - you won't want to miss the updates about that!
Mark your calendars - Chicago's calling!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Teaching in Switzerland
I have now been teaching for two weeks in Wil, Switzerland on my Fulbright teacher exchange. I think I am finally getting on a regular sleep schedule. I was warned that I would be very tired during the first two weeks, and they were right. The fact that I had to start teaching two days after my arrival didn't help. I have also spent a great deal of time taking care of non-school-related items such as getting my residence permit, setting up a bank account, and getting cell phones.
I have discovered so far that there are some major differences between Littleton Public Schools and St. Katharina. I specify the two particular schools since I'm not completely sure at this point what is typical and what is specific to LPS or "Kathi." Here's a short list:
1. School starts at 7:30 and generally ends at 4:00, but can go until 6:00.
2. Lunchtime is a major event in Switzerland (many businesses close for lunch) and the students have 1:40 for this.
3. Students are allowed to be in classrooms during lunchtime and breaks without teacher supervision. Many just sit in the classrooms and socialize and others may go to the music rooms to practice.
4. Students take many electives, including a lot of music.
5. There is no such thing as a school bus. Students find their own means of transportation to school. Many students take a train.
6. Wednesday is a short day. Most students and teachers are finished by 11:00.
7. There are no school sponsored after-school activities. Any additional programs are privately operated.
So far, my experience has been wonderful, but also stressful. I am realizing that, even though I have been studying German for a couple of years, I need to get much better at it. On the other hand, I am learning how to deliver instruction without a lot of needless verbiage. The difficulty is having to translate things that I have said every day for the past 25 years. I can never teach on "auto pilot." I was also warned that I would feel like a first year teacher, and they were right about that also. That is the wonderful thing about doing a teacher exchange. Not only does one get the cultural experience, but it also make one re-think your teaching methods from the ground up.
I have discovered so far that there are some major differences between Littleton Public Schools and St. Katharina. I specify the two particular schools since I'm not completely sure at this point what is typical and what is specific to LPS or "Kathi." Here's a short list:
1. School starts at 7:30 and generally ends at 4:00, but can go until 6:00.
2. Lunchtime is a major event in Switzerland (many businesses close for lunch) and the students have 1:40 for this.
3. Students are allowed to be in classrooms during lunchtime and breaks without teacher supervision. Many just sit in the classrooms and socialize and others may go to the music rooms to practice.
4. Students take many electives, including a lot of music.
5. There is no such thing as a school bus. Students find their own means of transportation to school. Many students take a train.
6. Wednesday is a short day. Most students and teachers are finished by 11:00.
7. There are no school sponsored after-school activities. Any additional programs are privately operated.
So far, my experience has been wonderful, but also stressful. I am realizing that, even though I have been studying German for a couple of years, I need to get much better at it. On the other hand, I am learning how to deliver instruction without a lot of needless verbiage. The difficulty is having to translate things that I have said every day for the past 25 years. I can never teach on "auto pilot." I was also warned that I would feel like a first year teacher, and they were right about that also. That is the wonderful thing about doing a teacher exchange. Not only does one get the cultural experience, but it also make one re-think your teaching methods from the ground up.
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