Home in Three Rivers

Man, it is so beautiful in my town. I loved seeing everybody and traveling to Chicago, but at the same time I am really glad to see a snow-filled Sierra and experience true quiet. No place like home; I guess Dorothy was right.

Now I have a ton of back-work to do and a new class to prepare curriculum for! the downside of coming home is that all the work waits for you! Augh! Onward!

the problem for us

Bacevich has some wise words and it goes with what "Three Cups" gently brings to Ameicans' attention:

Reading

I forgot what a great pleasure it is to READ BOOKS. NoNo, actually I didn't forget; I just spend so much time flailing at work that I don't take the time. Things down here in S.D. move so slowly that I've been forced to slow down myself. NOT that there isn't a ton of work to do; have to get ready to teach a new class and grade all the junk from last semester...but oh, how nice it is to tuck into a good book and just while away the time!

Three Cups

My niece Lisa turned me on to this book and I have to say, it is the BEST book I've read by far this year. Incredible adventure. Here's a quote:

"Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time , Greg Mortenson, and journalist David Oliver Relin, recount the journey that led Mortenson from a failed 1993 attempt to climb Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second highest mountain, to successfully establish schools in some of the most remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. By replacing guns with pencils, rhetoric with reading, Mortenson combines his unique background with his intimate knowledge of the third-world to promote peace with books, not bombs, and successfully bring education and hope to remote communities in central Asia. Three Cups of Tea is at once an unforgettable adventure and the inspiring true story of how one man really is changing the world—one school at a time.

Korphe Bridge, Pakistan

In 1993 Mortenson was descending from his failed attempt to reach the peak of K2. Exhausted and disoriented, he wandered away from his group into the most desolate reaches of northern Pakistan. Alone, without food, water, or shelter he stumbled into an impoverished Pakistani village where he was nursed back to health.

While recovering he observed the village’s 84 children sitting outdoors, scratching their lessons in the dirt with sticks. The village was so poor that it could not afford the $1-a-day salary to hire a teacher. When he left the village, he promised that he would return to build them a school. From that rash, heartfelt promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time.

Korphe School, Pakistan

In an early effort to raise money he wrote letters to 580 celebrities, businessmen, and other prominent Americans. His only reply was a $100 check from NBC’s Tom Brokaw. Selling everything he owned, he still only raised $2,400. But his efforts changed when a group of elementary school children in River Falls, Wisconsin, donated $623.40 in pennies, who inspired adults to begin to take action. The 283 foot Braldu Bridge (pictured above) was completed in 1995 and the Korphe School (left) was completed in 1996. Since then, he’s established 78 schools. In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived an armed kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. Yet his success speaks for itself.

Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson’s dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it’s proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world .’ -Tom Brokaw

"Greg Mortenson represents the best of America. He’s my hero. And after you read Three Cups of Tea , he’ll be your hero, too." -U.S. Representative Mary Bono (R-Calif.)

"Three Cups of Tea is beautifully written. It is also a critically important book at this time in history. The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan are both failing their students on a massive scale. The work Mortenson is doing, providing the poorest students with a balanced education, is making them much more difficult for the extremist madrassas to recruit." -Ahmed Rashid, best-selling author of Taliban: Militant Islam and Oil in Central Asia and Descent Into Chaos.

"A Template For Peace" -Bloomsbury Review

Greg Mortenson has provided a Three Cups of Tea Reading Guide and a Question & Answer Interview for use in book clubs, interviews, classrooms, etc.

Home for Christmas

It was a great great Christmas...simply by chance all of my family was in San Diego at the same time. Weather conspired to keep my niece Lisa, sis Esten and brother-in-law Steve in town instead of in Seattle; My brother John and his wife Alexis were already in S.D. to visit dad: so we just had a few days to all be together. This is much as things were when Mom was alive. Just a joy.

They've all gone this morning, and I am suffering withdrawl symptoms. Boohoo.

Chicago last day

Woke to one of the coldest days I have personally experienced...It snowed all day Saturday and then, as the front passed through, OH MY. It was -6 plus wind chill. Dang. I tried to walk around...went to the miracle mile:

From Chicago 08

but it was just too cold...my exposed face felt like it was going to melt off...and even though I had a greatcoat on, I had to get inside routinely.

Finally decided to spend my last few hours at the Field Museum:


At the Field, there was an exhibit of "Aztec Americas" showing ceremonial and daily items used by Pre-Columbian Aztec peoples in the precursor to Mexico City. these were so interesting. Look at some:

From Chicago 08

(God of the underworld)...

From Chicago 08

Jar for Human hearts...

Ceremonial "beer stine" held a brew made from the Maguey plant:

From Chicago 08

And look at this (couldn't this pass for very modern art?):

From Chicago 08

(images are taken without flash in the Field Museum collection; used not by permission

Chicago III

Well, yesterday was a day of great music! Went back to Symphony Hall to hear the full CSO play Weber "Oberon," Neilssen's Flute Concerto, and the hightlight: Berlioz "Symphonie Fantastique". This was *dare I say it* Fantasique! Symphony Hall is a world-class place:

From Chicago 08

Snowed here most of night before last and continued through the day. Quite chilly! A scene:

From Chicago 08

After symphony, school groups (even ones as fine as these) are a bit of a letdown. BUT, after a fine steak dinner at Chicago Firehouse (yumm-o) heard Spring H.S. from Texas. Incredible musicianship. Look for it on the midwest website.

Today I am off to sample Chicago life. Fly home tomorrow...looking forward to being with my wife and family for Christmas. Exeter's bands have some great music in store-more on this next post!

More fun in Chicago

Weds night hang with Bob Halseth, Bill Hill, Mike Vax and others at "Ron of Japan" Teppan-style Japanese cuisine. Bob enjoying the moment:

From Chicago 08

Then off to "Howl at the Moon" with Gary Gilroy and friends. A picture of Heather Glide "howling":

From Chicago 08

Yesterday, after the night's tossing, I attended the CSO Brass concert in Symphony Hall. Words fail! The group played several memorable works, but standouts were "Street Song for Symphonic Brass" by Michael Tlison Thomas, and "Music for Brass Instruments" by Ingolf Dahl.

Then, off to the taping of "WAIT WAIT Don't Tell Me" (NPR radio program-on KVPR Saturday mornings at 11 a.m.-don't miss). So funny! Chase Auditorium:

From Chicago 08

As you can see, a wonderful time. to be continued...

I'm heeeeeeerrrree

I am in Chicago IL for the Midwest Clinic from 12/17-12/21. Oh it is fun. I heard a HS from IL and the US Army Field Band last night, as well as attending clinics on Finale, Jazz Rhythm Sections, and others. More to come. A (not too good)picture for the reader:

this is part of the Northwestern University Brass Ensemble at the Merle Reskin Theater. EUHS Brass: TAKE NOTE! There are streaming audios available at http://midwestclinic.org/

Check this

What surfers chase.

A good post from James Fallows:
_______________

Very useful shopping advice from Roy Blount Jr.
from James Fallows
We all know that the retailers are in trouble because of collapsing consumer demand. (For years Americans spent too much; now....) We all know that the automakers domestic and foreign are in trouble because people don't want to buy cars. Real estate is in trouble because people can't or don't want to buy houses. The stock market is in trouble because people don't want to buy stock. And, arguably most ominous for the republic, newspapers are in trouble because people are losing the habit of buying papers.

There is not much any one individual can do about this. I'm not going to buy a new house or car just because it would have useful tonic effect on the market. There are only so many papers I can buy per day. But after the jump, Roy Blount Jr, through the years a frequent Atlantic contributor and current president of the Authors Guild, suggests a voting-with-your-dollars strategy that is within people's means and can make a significant difference.

Starting now, I've changing my Christmas shopping plans based on Blount's tips. The presents he suggests are good ones -- and although I can't visit independent bookshops myself where I am, the ones I like and have shopped at (Elliott Bay, Powell's, Politics & Prose, etc) have web-based order systems. Seriously, this is a good idea -- as are, of course, gift subscriptions to our own magazine.

Blount's letter to Authors Guild members* below.
_______


I've been talking to booksellers lately who report that times are hard. And local booksellers aren't known for vast reserves of capital, so a serious dip in sales can be devastating. Booksellers don't lose enough money, however, to receive congressional attention. A government bailout isn't in the cards.

We don't want bookstores to die. Authors need them, and so do neighborhoods. So let's mount a book-buying splurge. Get your friends together, go to your local bookstore and have a book-buying party. Buy the rest of your Christmas presents, but that's just for starters. Clear out the mysteries, wrap up the histories, beam up the science fiction! Round up the westerns, go crazy for self-help, say yes to the university press books! Get a load of those coffee-table books, fatten up on slim volumes of verse, and take a chance on romance!

There will be birthdays in the next twelve months; books keep well; they're easy to wrap: buy those books now. Buy replacements for any books looking raggedy on your shelves. Stockpile children's books as gifts for friends who look like they may eventually give birth. Hold off on the flat-screen TV and the GPS (they'll be cheaper after Christmas) and buy many, many books. Then tell the grateful booksellers, who by this time will be hanging onto your legs begging you to stay and live with their cat in the stockroom: "Got to move on, folks. Got some books to write now. You see...we're the Authors Guild."

Enjoy the holidays.

Roy Blount Jr.
President
Authors Guild

The Guild's staff informs me that many of you are writing to ask whether you can forward and post my holiday message encouraging orgiastic book-buying. Yes! Forward! Yes! Post! Sound the clarion call to every corner of the Internet: Hang in there, bookstores! We're coming! And we're coming to buy! To buy what? To buy books! Gimme a B! B! Gimme an O! O! Gimme another O! Another O! Gimme a K! K! Gimme an S! F! No, not an F, an S. We're spelling BOOKS!

And a follow-up:
_____________

One more word about "books as gifts"...
from James Fallows
... following Roy Blount Jr's testimonial two days ago on behalf of independent book stores, here are two other sites, one from the Association of American Publishers and another from Random House but concerning books in general. All make the case for this year as the Year of the Gift Book.

Judge for yourself, but I'm persuaded: placing online orders now with various independent bookstores in the US. For searchable directories of such stores, check here; for a subjective top-10 list of indie bookstores, go here. Read up!

On my most-discussed subject

ME. I have had a rather nasty and unpleasant exchange with one of my students, and wanted the few who actually read these posts to comment/discuss/advise. The basic cause was a post in which my teaching of a class was observed, logged, and portrayed as long-winded, boring, and divergent (I grant readily that I can be all of those things). This was posted two days after a most successful concert in which I THOUGHT the ensemble's feeling tone was very warm and generous-both towards the program I've created and towards me.

The point, to me, is not the offense the post caused me (more on this later) but the fact that such things can be publicly posted and read by anyone. The further point(as I challenged the student and asked for the removal of the offending post from the internet-a request that was granted-)is that, as the incident escalated, I was accused by the parent of being self-serving and interested only in retaining my job; that I was "self-absorbed" and "pitiful." Ouch.

I wish to place before the public eye: I stay on this job because:
1. I love to do it-I learn so much every day about conducting, people, and the wonderful art I have dedicated my life to,
2. I love to live in Three Rivers,
3. I am REALLY interested in having kids experience the performance of great music
4. I DO feel that I enjoy the love and support of most of my students-I really LIKE that!

I guess I want comment on the fact of public criticism. Should people be allowed to publicly embarrass a person simply because they feel they can/should? Is there any control to this kind of thing that is appropriate? Where does free speech leave off and where does character assassination begin? Certainly, this student didn't mean to start this thought process off, but it is started now.

Part of this is fueled by the ease with which a student can destroy a career (not the case here-this kid meant NOTHING of the sort-, but certainly happening in Tulare and countless other districts). Part of it is fueled by my continuing doubt that music really IS a valuable subject for study in public schools; I mean, I love it and I have learned much from it...does that generalize?

As to the personal side: Reader, you may relate. I read the post in question, responded too quickly, didn't keep it in perspective, etc. Hit "send" on the response without thinking. BUT, it's been 36 hours now and I am STILL obsessing about it. Why can't I just take discontented "customers" in stride? Not everyone is going to love me or my subject. I don't know why I don't get this...I see other adults able to shrug stuff like this off easily. Am I ever going to learn how to take criticism without going crazy and over-reacting?

I was advised to "just leave." I don't want to do this; I want to fight for music in my little town. It seems like a worthy quest. But when one fights, one DOES get people mad. How will I ever learn to live with this and not have an ulcer???

If you love coffee, you will relate to this (anyone out there in blogland know how to actually get this link to actually DISPLAY in this window? http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/coffee/index.html?8dpc

Personal psycho-notes

Often times I do not understand myself. Be it lack of sleep, or the general high-energy requirements of everyday work and life, I seem to be getting more and more irritable as time goes on. Little things that shouldn't bother me in the least get on my nerves; I often feel as though I am going to snap out at someone (almost always someone who wouldn't deserve such treatment).

I remember, when I was young and often drunk, wishing for some sort of peace (like a place I could go where this kind of "mind turbulence" would be put into the background) and forever having it be a wish instead of a fact. I am older now, and not drunk, but still I crave such a place. and then...

I get upset with myself for being ungrateful; I really have a good life. Suppose its in my nature to always be unsettled. Say it ain't so!

Better news next post, I'm sure.

Morning and Evening in San Diego Saturday!

I am in San Diego enjoying a long Thanksgiving weekend. My dad is doing well, and so are Laura's parents. Everything seems fine. The world is a-spin, but it always seems so.

And this evening I had the pleasure of taking Dad out to Fiddlers' Green for a delicious steak...here he is with the drink! "shaken not stirred!":

and check this out!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/28/walmart-stampede_n_147021.html

How darn sad it is when our quest for cheap products (!) leads us to the edge of civilization...and over it. Who is it that is doing this? Sad to say, they are us. The wars need to be fought against THIS!

Economic Situation thought

I came across this and thought I would share it:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/11/quote-for-th-25.html

I am presently reading a book by Andrew Sullivan, and think these writers from "The Atlantic Monthly" are some pretty good thinkers. Maybe follow for awhile, and let me know what your thoughts are.

A post about my work!

Well, the Exeter Union High School Band sure NEEDED a year like this...has needed to feel some success for several years now. We attended the first annual Lemoore Band Tournament run by my good friend and respected music educator (and generally good guy) Sean McElhaney and did well, as evidenced by the attached photo. Fun to see 'em smile.

So what significance does all this have? In a way, it is a stern reminder that you the readers should NOT take music education for granted in these times. These kids, and all the others from Hanford, Lemoore, Visalia, and points all over our beloved country, work SO hard to master this multi-faceted skill. It requires musicianship, certainly, but also a good old-fashioned gut check for young people just emerging from childhood into a big, scary world. If they don't learn to claim their true selves, to try to work with people (Really!) that they may not like, to delay gratification, and to never settle for less, they will be swept away by those who do learn.

The other significant fact, and one that should be pointed out even at the risk of self-esteem, is that my program is SHRINKING; we are successful in "winning" in part because of the fact that I have fewer and fewer young people to work with each year (thus the band is competing against some very small programs-programs valid in every way, but not the ones I have trained my students to compete with). We are enjoying a bit of a "bigger fish in a smaller pond" kind of situation...and please faithful reader, do not think that I am "dissing" smaller bands at all. It is probably one of the most challenging ways to run a band-fewer players and possibly lower skill sets. I just want to point out that I feel my kids should strive to be competitive with the VERY BEST out there, regardless of band size. In that field, we would be back in the lower-middle of the pack.

There are many reasons for such a situation (that of my shrinking program) but I would again say that the threats to elementary education leveled by "No Child Left Behind" (I lost a feeder school this year because that school is under threat of 'program improvement' (!) due to declining test scores) is implicated in shrinking music programs everywhere. Combine that with the dire budget situation and you have a "perfect storm" awaiting us in Music Ed. What is needed is that you NON-MUSICIANS out there remember how good this type of education is for kids, as well as reminding yourself that accountability (while a valuable tool for evaluating educational programs) is definitely NOT just in a single, numeric data-set. I read with interest this essay on Washington D.C.'s new schools chancellor: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200811/michelle-rhee" and found it full of interesting stuff. Most telling for this post, though, is how data-driven Ms. Rhee's administration strategy is. Won't music and arts programs be left out? And how long will it be before this movement reaches us in California? Is this reform effort a good thing? Hmmmm.

In any case, I am proud of my students...very happy with them. I wish them and you a moment with the music that most inspires you. 'til next time, thanks for reading this diatribe.

SPECIAL

I wonder why it is so difficult for people to abide by rules and conventions-why everyone has to be SPECIAL. I had some issues at the Selma Review that give me pause. Is EVERYONE just special enough that they can do whatever they want, and damn the instructor and his plans? Generally, when I feel at my worst, I think that most people just take what they want regardless of what the plan is. And we, as designers of activities, just have to eat our frustration as we watch the kids learn the WRONG lesson: "you are special so forget what your instructor says; the rules are good enough for the rest of 'them' but YOU deserve special treatment. augh.

Rants

I am becoming more and more troubled by the lack of discipline of any noticeable type in the American persona. Parents who worship their kids-in absence of evidence of the worthiness of such worship-, people who definitely form opinions based on opinion rather than critical thought, and lockstep partisanship; the list goes on and on in our country.

When did ignorance become fashionable? When did aspiring to be an elite thinker, musician, or scholar become something to keep quiet? It seems that yelling is debate now...our current election debates are an example. I believe we can do better-and had better do so quickly-and intend to work hard in my professional life to improve my own knowledge and discipline. Maybe I can pass some on to my students.

I wanted to suggest to readers that they take a look at this website and read the advocacy materials there: http://www.notonthetest.com/index.html. Take a look at the printed material there as well as listening to the great lyrics.

I also might humbly suggest that interested parties visit (or revisit) M.Scott Peck's book The Road Less Traveled for a vigorous and enlightening discussion of the role discipline might play...that is, unless you want to be branded an elitist!

An opening message: The posts contained herein are personal opinion and do not represent my role as a public school employee or a public figure. If you choose to read these posts, you are agreeing to allow me the right of free speech! It could be fun for us to debate....never tried a blog of my own, so now is the time.