Real First Day of Work

It took a couple weeks longer than we had anticipated, but I'm finally starting my first official week teaching/conducting with the Austin Soundwaves.

A little about the program:

Austin Soundwaves is an El Sistema-inspired music program through the existing national El Sistema USA organization. It's funded through the Austin-based Hispanic Alliance for the Arts and takes place at East Austin College Prep.

The program provides quality music education to an eager community that may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in the arts. Students begin in the 4th grade and, for the first time, go through the 9th grade, studying winds, strings, brass, percussion, and piano. This is the first year we're offering music theory and we're hoping to expand to an AP Music Theory prep course. When Austin Soundwaves finally expands (as planned) to K-12, additional courses (such as a full-fledged AP Theory Course, composition, and the like) will be added, which will make Austin Soundwaves the largest El Sistema program in the United States.

Wish me luck!

Canada!

More specifically, Vancouver, BC.

My wife and I just returned from a lovely weekend in the North Northwest. The weather was beautiful and the people were friendly.

No, really. Really friendly.

Canadians are said to be the nicest people. They really are! The ones we encountered were polite, always understanding that we didn't understand their way of paying with a credit card, and seemed genuinely interested in our small talk responses.

The Olympics

The one time every four years that I watch swimming, gymnastics, track and field, diving, et. al. with the same fervor that I normally watch football, baseball, basketball and golf.

GO USA!

Good News!

Yes.

What Every Music Teacher Wants You to Know

Prawn-a-Thon 2012 Rules

Eat.

Score.

Enjoy.

In California

Annual trip home and work with the Sacramento Youth Symphony Chamber Music Workshop. 2 weeks, 7 performances.