Category: A Better Me

Think about this….

From the White House Blog:

President Barack Obama led a Kennedy Center crowd in a performance of “Happy Birthday,” capping a star-studded musical birthday tribute to ailing Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

The Massachusetts Democrat was honored at the Kennedy Center at an event Sunday night hosted by comedian Bill Cosby. Actresses Lauren Bacall and Bernadette Peters, singer James Taylor and conductor John Williams were among those who performed.

My question is, who did John Williams conduct? Or what did he perform? From what’s written here (where I ended was the end of the paragraph about performers), it looks like ol’ John got up on stage and conducted as his performance…maybe with no one being conducted. I find it quite a funny mental image…

The Obama Obsession

I’ve never seen anything like it…other than for the love of Texas. As I watched today’s Presidential Inauguration, and they showed the massive crowd gathered in Washington, DC, I noticed the Nation’s new obsession – Barack Obama. His name and image was on so many things – shirts, hats, blankets, everything! I don’t know if there has ever been an inauguration with such rock star paraphernalia.

Then again, I can’t remember the last time I so wanted to not miss the inauguration. This was most certainly a significant event. I only heard of one teacher on this campus who turned on the TV in his/her classroom but refused to un-mute the sound.

I won’t blog a blow-by-blow opinion of the ceremony but I have to say that quartet was amazing. It truely takes professionals to maintain that tuning in that weather! I wish Aretha Franklin wouldn’t have ventured so far away from the original tune as she sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. My co-worker Brian pointed out something very interesting. In the National Anthem, most singers will (poorly) take the upper octave on the word “free” as the song finishes up. The Navy Singers probably had several sopranos very capable of doing such but chose not to. A very wise and musical decision on their part, in our opinion.

I liked that Obama-Biden wore red and blue ties. And the rest of the Obamas were dressed very tastefully, yet not boring at all. I found irony in Hillary’s choice of a bright blue dress-coat. Isn’t that the same shade of blue that Monica’s investigated dress was??? I digress.

I guess the only other comment/question I have is, what was going through Former President Bush’s mind as President Obama spoke of the need for change and such for the future? No, not monkey or dumb people jokes. Seriously. I know that in his farewell address, Bush said he was proud of his accomplishments (or something – I missed that address) and all but everytime the cameras went to him, he looked very uncomfortable. His approval ratings are low. Probably not an easy seat to be sitting in.

Back to the obsession. Have you seen their family portrait? They’re a beautiful family. I just wish Michelle would’ve allowed her natural smile in this picture. I think it’s very pretty!

IF A GREAT MUSICIAN PLAYS GREAT MUSIC BUT NO ONE HEARS…WAS HE REALLY ANY GOOD?

For a couple of years in college (yes, I wrote years), I was a psychology major. This is the type of experiment that interested me. Unfortunately, the psych department at SWT wasn’t quite what I was looking for so I changed majors (again). Anywho, this article about Joshua Bell playing as a street performer in L’Enfant Plaza in Washington DC is very interesting.

The experiment was sponsored by The Washington Post and was to see if classical music played by a professional violinist outside of a music hall would be as appreciated as if you were to pay $100 a ticket for the same (or less, even) performance. You never know what kind of beauty you pass in your daily lives. Take a moment and look (or listen)!

Thanks to Connie and her brother Ski for the article!

Area results

Well, the competitive marching season is over for the SPHS Tiger Band. Out of the 32 bands in the Area D Contest on Saturday, we came in 20th. Not too bad for a little band from the East Side. LOL One marching judge did have us ranked 13th – which is completely a highlight seeing as the marching fundamentals program were developed by yours truly. 😀 Yes, it would have been A.MAZ.ING to see this band go to State but by the first tempo change, I knew that finals wasn’t even in the picture. Even the kids admit that we marched a cleaner show at Region.

But you know, I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished this year. My first priority for these kids is a musical education. Many of them LOVE this music (from the Firebird ballet by Stravinsky), they’re now challenging each other for higher seats, they’re much better behaved in rehearsals, they’re more committed to the program than I’ve EVER seen, etc. etc. etc.. I think our jobs as educators is secure. We’re teaching these kids. I am a firm believer that a good teacher is one that leads their students to not needing them anymore at some point. To become independent thinkers and doers. I say we’re on our way. 🙂

OH, thanks to everyone who came out – Keith, Trish, Her-shui, Josh, mom. Thanks to DMJ for the shout out text that I got as we were on the bus on the way there. Your support of what I do means a lot.
Love you, mean it!
~C

Diane Goryzcki services

From Cathy Humphrey of AISD. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend either….

Diane Goryzcki Service(s) will be held:

Visitation – 6 p.m. Today and Friday
Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home
3125 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78705
Saturday, October 4
10 a.m. Interment at The Austin Memorial Cemetary
2800 Hancock Dr.
Austin, TX 78731
3 p.m. Episcopalian Church of the Good Shephard
3201 Windsor
Austin, TX 78703

A Musical Tribute to Diane will be held on her Birthdate at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 9 at the Hays Performing Arts Center. Please let me know if you would like to bring a performing ensemble.

Blessings,
Cathy Humphrey
Band Director, Covington Middle School
chumphre@austinisd.org
(512) 414-5397