I know I know, I wasn't going to use this space for "teacher stuff" but here I am, proud of my kids again. What a giant part of my life my little music program has become. So, from my facebook notes, here this is:

I am OH SO proud of the Exeter Winter performing ensembles...they represent our little school so well! Check the faces...how can you not smile? Win or lose, we have a great time together with excellent instructors and dedicated parents. A band director's dream come true...

Now if the full band can sit up and take note: Hard work and dedication over time is the key to having this kind of FUN!!! You CAN DO IT TOO!!!

We are starting fund-raising for a "Music Academy" in Exeter for Exeter music students to obtain private lessons over time. We are selling coffee and other goodies...folks, look for it and support this vision! Use these successes to build on!

check it out. For the next three weeks I, or any band member or booster, can supply you with a brochure for which our program will receive between 40-50% profit. After that time, you can still support us by going to the company's website:

wecarecoffee for Exeter

In any case, celebrate with me and spread the word! Music is alive in Exeter and in all the great programs participating last night...we can still have MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS! If we want it enough!

San Joaquin Valley jazz festival

I think, in fact, that Mr. Lucckesi has a golden touch. My jazz ensemble has just returned from performing at the festival, held at Buchanan High in Clovis, Ca. I am proud of my kids, and especially proud and fortunate to have such a friend and colleague as Paul. His band sounds great, but his achievements in bringing a musician the quality of David Binney to our neck of the planet...THAT is a great job for a jazz educator.

At Mr. Binney's concert last night, I looked down the line of the nine students I brought with me to the concert and knew, all over again, why we can NEVER let music education be "cut" out of their experience. Which of those kids would have been there to be perhaps changed forever if it was not for their school band program?

And oh, that music. I've been trying to put it into words, but as usual, words fail. i think, if you have any kind of appreciation for music as art or as an energy exchange, you owe it to yourself to go to this website: http://www.davidbinney.com/ and check it for yourself. Like no other.

In closing, thanks Paul and all your volunteers for a GREAT night of jazz and camraderie. It's what our chosen art form should be all about, and what a "festival" really should be all about too.