Let’s Bring Music Back Into Schools
As if I don’t have enough projects on my plate as it is, I’ve been thinking about creating a foundation that will help bring music back into the curriculum of our schools. I’ve been hearing all these stories about how many of the school systems have cut music and arts-related classes because of lack of funding. It makes me sad to think of a world where kids aren’t exposed to music on a daily basis.
Art leaders in Philadelphia have already started the process of getting arts and music back into schools, but it’s certainly going to take more than 120 people to make this a nationwide thing.
I just discovered the San Diego Music Foundation which has the Taylor Guitars for Schools program. That’s definitely a great start. However, I’d love to see marching bands with kids playing a wide range of musical instruments. For me, marching band parades were big when I was in middle school and high school. Living here in San Diego, I don’t see much of that.
I find great inspiration in watching young kids playing music. Here’s a video of an 8-year-old playing the saxophone…
Prince Rocks Out at Coachella
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took place this past weekend with Prince’s performance creating quite a buzz among attendees and Prince enthusiasts. An interpretation of Radiohead’s “Creep” was done in Prince’s signature style…
Whenever I see Prince a wave of nostalgia rushes over me as I think about those days in my bedroom listening to Prince on my cassette player and pretending that I was part of his band. I really, really wanted to be part of his band. I would often daydream of starring in one of his videos. I wanted to be the girl wearing the raspberry beret.
As much as I love Prince’s music, I still have yet to see him in concert. One time I was close to seeing him here in San Diego, but I wasn’t able to get four tickets all together for me and my friends. His next scheduled concert is in Dublin, Ireland on June 16, 2008.
Find Inspiration Through a Piano Prodigy
One of my favorite shows to watch is Ellen Degeneres and lately she’s been having some phenomenal musical artists come on to perform. Once in awhile Ellen will bring on a child prodigy who plays piano. Here’s an example of a piano genius named Chelsea…
Watching this video has truly inspired me and makes me want to take up piano lessons again! I recently purchased a CD to reacquaint myself with classical music and the sound of the piano. I even went on a hunt for free piano lessons…Don’t have a piano yet, but will start practicing on my boyfriend’s keyboard 
Here’s a great piano blog: The Collaborative Piano Blog
Filipino Inmates Need Music and Dance Too!
This video of Filipino Inmates has been making its way around the internet. It’s their rendition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller video…
Hey, who says that Filipino inmates can’t have their 15 minutes of YouTube fame?
[via John Chow]
