Any creative ideas you'd like to share with other RMM teachers?! Would love to hear what you're doing! I know some of you - and I know how amazingly creative you are! Don't be shy . . .
Will and fellow teachers, Isn't it amazing when you pause to think of all the blessings in your life! Today was my son's 29th birthday. He is a pretty awesome electric guitarist with whom I get to play at church each week. He started guitar in high school, and I never knew he had any interest in music! I was so busy just trying to be a good mom in those days (& fighting endless battles over homework), that I was not very excited about music, either. But the day came when the spark was ignited in his heart - by a teacher! And after taking classes 2 years in high school, he has pretty much lived with a guitar in his hand, listening and trying things out. We should never underestimate the power that music has to change lives! I envy his ear for music, but I have found that even those of us who are not naturally blessed with a great ear and innovative soul can learn a lot by just being open to new experiences. I am so thankful for the wonderful people I have grown to know in Musical Moments / Way Cool Keyboarding speaking into my life! So thankful for meeting you, Will, in the past few weeks. When I was sitting here today trying to articulate my new-found excitement about my upcoming classes in an ad my friend will place for me, I remembered what I had seen on your Books page. It was just what I needed. I feel like I am heading in an entirely new and wonderful direction. I am blessed and getting ready to pass the blessing of music on to future generations. What can be better than that?
Wow! Chris! You made me cry! There is such freedom and beauty in letting go. Our children and grandchildren will thank us for giving this next generation permission to explore and experience music. It is our great duty to pass this blessing of music on to future generations. God Bless You! Nothing can be better than this!
May our "ceiling" become their "floor" as we take them as far as we have gone and launch them farther! (I wish this blog was set up to let you know when someone has commented... Maybe I am missing something that is there. Do you get emailed when I comment?)
First of all, yes I do get emailed each time you comment. I always love what you have to say. It is a joy to guide students to become who they are and, yes, many times they go farther! I remember a recital when I was a teenager. Rudolph Barta was my teacher, and a remarkable teacher he was. Six of us had played Concertos getting ready for regional concerto competitions. Grieg, Ravel, Schumann, Bach D minor, Beethoven 2 (which was really 1) and I played the Liszt Eb. After the concert we were all lined up to greet the audience. Someone made the comment to my teacher, "Rudolph, I believe you have students who are playing better than you." Without missing a beat he replied, "They have a better teacher than I had." It's a good thing to launch our students farther!
I had "subscribed" to one blog posting and didn't think of it when I commented on another. So thanks, I was emailed of your comment this time. I will try subscribing at the bottom of the page to "Post Comments (Atom)" and see what that does, also.
Will and fellow teachers,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing when you pause to think of all the blessings in your life! Today was my son's 29th birthday. He is a pretty awesome electric guitarist with whom I get to play at church each week. He started guitar in high school, and I never knew he had any interest in music! I was so busy just trying to be a good mom in those days (& fighting endless battles over homework), that I was not very excited about music, either. But the day came when the spark was ignited in his heart - by a teacher! And after taking classes 2 years in high school, he has pretty much lived with a guitar in his hand, listening and trying things out. We should never underestimate the power that music has to change lives! I envy his ear for music, but I have found that even those of us who are not naturally blessed with a great ear and innovative soul can learn a lot by just being open to new experiences. I am so thankful for the wonderful people I have grown to know in Musical Moments / Way Cool Keyboarding speaking into my life! So thankful for meeting you, Will, in the past few weeks. When I was sitting here today trying to articulate my new-found excitement about my upcoming classes in an ad my friend will place for me, I remembered what I had seen on your Books page. It was just what I needed. I feel like I am heading in an entirely new and wonderful direction. I am blessed and getting ready to pass the blessing of music on to future generations. What can be better than that?
Wow! Chris! You made me cry! There is such freedom and beauty in letting go. Our children and grandchildren will thank us for giving this next generation permission to explore and experience music. It is our great duty to pass this blessing of music on to future generations. God Bless You! Nothing can be better than this!
DeleteMay our "ceiling" become their "floor" as we take them as far as we have gone and launch them farther! (I wish this blog was set up to let you know when someone has commented... Maybe I am missing something that is there. Do you get emailed when I comment?)
ReplyDeleteHey Chris,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, yes I do get emailed each time you comment. I always love what you have to say. It is a joy to guide students to become who they are and, yes, many times they go farther! I remember a recital when I was a teenager. Rudolph Barta was my teacher, and a remarkable teacher he was. Six of us had played Concertos getting ready for regional concerto competitions. Grieg, Ravel, Schumann, Bach D minor, Beethoven 2 (which was really 1) and I played the Liszt Eb. After the concert we were all lined up to greet the audience. Someone made the comment to my teacher, "Rudolph, I believe you have students who are playing better than you." Without missing a beat he replied, "They have a better teacher than I had." It's a good thing to launch our students farther!
I had "subscribed" to one blog posting and didn't think of it when I commented on another. So thanks, I was emailed of your comment this time. I will try subscribing at the bottom of the page to "Post Comments (Atom)" and see what that does, also.
ReplyDelete