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New Beginnings

In My Work on January 6, 2012 at 11:06 am

The new year brings a whole new slate of projects and ideas, and a lot of freedom to do things that I may have had to say “no” to because of a packed schedule. To start, I am joining a reading group on critical pedagogy, organized by Michael MacDonald at the University of Alberta Centre for Teaching and Learning. I met him at ICTM this summer, and I really wanted to learn more about his research. The intimate connection between teaching and learning is extremely important to address in any form of online education, but especially music education, broadly speaking. Our first book is Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom, and my copy just arrived in the mail. It will be interesting to see what participating in a reading group via skype will be like.

This month I will be working on research proposals and grant applications, and as a result, lots of reading and writing. It is always difficult to anticipate what the future will bring, but you won’t know until you try.

So here’s to diving right in!

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There and Back Again

In Reflections on December 8, 2011 at 2:35 pm


My “break” came a little early this year… or a few years late depending on how you look at it. The truth of the matter is probably somewhere in between. Convocation in early November followed by one last outstanding piece of academic work before I could treat myself to a few weeks of not worrying about any deadlines kept me on my toes. And then, I woke up one morning, and it was time to head off on a trip where there would be no technology; just me, nature, a new place, and lots of exploring to do.

There were many first on this trip: plants, animals, landscapes, waters. Even the skies were different. My brain got a total reset, and my mental space was freed up by a total disconnection with any kind of digital media. It’s definitely motivation to draw better boundaries between work and life, in order to enjoy both to the fullest. Engaging in one while worry that the other is being neglected is completely counter-productive, and all it takes to shift the energy is a little mental adjustments. Admittedly, relaxing is not exactly my forté, but you know what they say, practice makes perfect. I better enjoy this before I suddenly find 2012 magically filled up with things to do!

Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday (whatever it is that you may be celebrating). I hope 2012 will be good to you. See you in the new year!

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SPO: Up Close and Personal

In music-esque on November 8, 2011 at 10:17 pm


At Sneak Peek Orchestra’s most recent concert, we tried out a different format. Instead of doing a full orchestra program, we wanted a way to bring the audience closer to the music, and the musicians behind the music. As such, we put together out first chamber concert, and it was a great success. It was a smaller production in terms of rehearsals and program, but we devoted out efforts elsewhere. Sandwiches and baked treats during reception, an original arrangement for 4 hands to mark the occasion, audio and visual documentation, and marketing the event.

We had a packed Heliconian Hall, and received overwhelmingly positive response for this format. It showcased all the best that the Sneak Peek Orchestra strives to be in an intimate setting: great musicianship, great music by the masters and our contemporaries, and charming MCs, all of which translate to great fun for our audience.

Below is a video of Kevin and Victor premiering Kevin’s arrange of themes from Harry Potter for 4 hands. A well deserved standing ovation guys, now let’s start prepping for our next orchestral concert on February 4th!

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