“Brutal”, “challenging”, “not even talking about it,” “scary”... what is your word to describe how work has been for you in the last year?
I’m putting together some thoughts on this subject and I need to hear from you musicians. If you want to send me info at hannah@musicvillage.ca I would be really glad. If you want your name to remain anonymous for the writing I do, please put something like “don’t use my name” in the subject heading.
I guess that I can’t ask people to share without sharing myself, so here goes. This year has been bad, really bad. When the economy was tanking, I was enjoying collecting employment insurance and taking care of my baby, Etienne. I didn’t even notice, really, how things started to slow down for my musician husband. I was thinking to myself that EI was not great money, but that soon I’d be back to my work as a Music Director.
Then things changed really fast.
I was laid off from my position as MD, and had no work, not a thing. EI ended, and I was scrambling to find something to do to make money. I wanted to apply for composition grants, but couldn’t get to it, as I was so busy taking care of the baby and doing home stuff, while my husband went out to do jobs. I was looking at retail, or restaurants, or anything. I went to interviews for music schools that wanted me to invest $500 for certification and spend three months in training, even though I’ve been teaching and training since I was a teenager.
So what did I do?
I got Music Village up and running. I set up our website, made online presence and am going through my contacts to let them know about the work that we do. I’ve gone to networking sessions and training sessions.
I’m looking for publication for my children’s book. I’m making my album (on credit). I’m putting myself and the artists I represent out there so that people can find us and bring us for their live events. I’m writing and recording music it for film. And on and on...
I’m interested to hear from you. How have you felt through the last year? What have you done to make things last? How have you felt yourself represented in the media? What does your community look like right now.
You can respond to me at hannah@musicvillage.ca. I think it’s important for our community and our city to hear how we’ve been coping.
When things are tough, remember that “this too shall pass.” This is just a season in our lives.
Hannah
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Navigating the Music Education Waters
People ask me all the time, "How old should my child be before I put them in music lessons?" That is a tricky question. The short answer is that it depends on how interested your child is and how active the teacher is that you have in mind.
I'd like to offer you a bit of a broad base of options in the Canadian music scene. Here is a compiled list of many of the music options for music for students of all ages.
Generally speaking, teachers are certified in the methods of study until your child is in one on one lessons. Then it can become looser, depending on your school of choice. More on that later...
BABIES
For these classes, you or your caregiver must attend with your baby. These classes offer songs, clapping games, movement and words. Classes are usually offered in sessions of three to four months. Classes are very fun, encourage bonding between your child and caregiver and are a great way to experience music.
Some examples are, www.rainbowsongs.com, www.kindermusik.com,
TODDLERS
In toddler classes, the children are encouraged to participate more by singing along and using their hands to play percussion instruments. Movement is always encouraged, as it is an integral part of experiencing music. Parent Participation is required.
www.northyork-suzuki.com
3-5
At this age, your child can really enjoy participation in musical games and activities. Most methods begin to teach by rote, which is the practice of hearing and repeating. This is a great way for children to develop memory muscle and build up their song library. Some music methods begin to offer group lesson classes in a particular instrument at this age.
http://www.yamaha.ca/content/musiceducation/courses/keyboard/index.jsp?from=courses
5+
At this age, the training really begins to branch out. Many schools begin to offer one on one lessons, or private training for your children in an instrument. Some schools offer group lessons in keyboard courses, or some schools begin to follow a set methodology. There are many choices as your child begins to study an instrument.
If your child is (like mine) extremely active, and wants to do things him or herself, then I think you could put your child in lessons from an early age (4 or 5 years old). Be sure though, to find a teacher who is good at teaching young children, and is able to entertain while educating your young child for a 30 minute period by using many different activities.
ADULT LESSONS
There are lots of schools that teach adult lessons. If you are interested in picking up an instrument that you learned as a youth, or trying something new, then congratulations!!! These lessons are fun, since you are really motivated to get playing. I recommend (if you are motivated this way) to browse through some musician's profiles and study from someone who's music really speaks to you. Of course, ask the teacher a bit about his or her teaching history, and it is not inappropriate to ask to speak to someone that the teacher has already taught.
SENIOR'S COURSES
There are a few schools that are teaching group lessons for 65+ students. This is a great way to learn a new skill and meet new people with similar interests. Check out www.yamaha.ca for info.
REMEMBER:
1. Try to have an open mind, and if you had a bad experience as a child yourself in music lessons (ie rulers on knuckles, or something like that), check back in, since most schools now have a code of conduct that would prevent that kind of bad behaviour.
2. To me, it is important to find a teacher that is active in performance. A lot of music schools don't worry about if their teachers are good musicians, but I have found that musicians that are always making music, expanding skills, experiencing different places and kinds of music make the best teachers.
3. It's always the right time to study music. It feels really great to pick up an instrument, or sing a song and be involved in making music.
Here are some of the schools that are teaching music in Canada, and in Toronto.
The Royal Conservatory of Music - instrument lessons, reading music, classical music curriculum. Has a lot of fun new options for adult and children group studies. www.rcmusic.ca
Yamaha Canada Music - www.yamaha.ca
Little Fingers Music- group lessons for young children in Toronto's West end. www.littlefingersmusic.com
Kaos Music Centre - www.kaosmusiccentre.com
Long & McQuade - http://www.long-mcquade.com/lessons/
Merriam Music - www.merriammusic.com
Have a question about lessons? Are you interested in reading about something else in the music business? Send me an email at hannah@musicvillage.ca
I'd like to offer you a bit of a broad base of options in the Canadian music scene. Here is a compiled list of many of the music options for music for students of all ages.
Generally speaking, teachers are certified in the methods of study until your child is in one on one lessons. Then it can become looser, depending on your school of choice. More on that later...
BABIES
For these classes, you or your caregiver must attend with your baby. These classes offer songs, clapping games, movement and words. Classes are usually offered in sessions of three to four months. Classes are very fun, encourage bonding between your child and caregiver and are a great way to experience music.
Some examples are, www.rainbowsongs.com, www.kindermusik.com,
TODDLERS
In toddler classes, the children are encouraged to participate more by singing along and using their hands to play percussion instruments. Movement is always encouraged, as it is an integral part of experiencing music. Parent Participation is required.
www.northyork-suzuki.com
3-5
At this age, your child can really enjoy participation in musical games and activities. Most methods begin to teach by rote, which is the practice of hearing and repeating. This is a great way for children to develop memory muscle and build up their song library. Some music methods begin to offer group lesson classes in a particular instrument at this age.
http://www.yamaha.ca/content/musiceducation/courses/keyboard/index.jsp?from=courses
5+
At this age, the training really begins to branch out. Many schools begin to offer one on one lessons, or private training for your children in an instrument. Some schools offer group lessons in keyboard courses, or some schools begin to follow a set methodology. There are many choices as your child begins to study an instrument.
If your child is (like mine) extremely active, and wants to do things him or herself, then I think you could put your child in lessons from an early age (4 or 5 years old). Be sure though, to find a teacher who is good at teaching young children, and is able to entertain while educating your young child for a 30 minute period by using many different activities.
ADULT LESSONS
There are lots of schools that teach adult lessons. If you are interested in picking up an instrument that you learned as a youth, or trying something new, then congratulations!!! These lessons are fun, since you are really motivated to get playing. I recommend (if you are motivated this way) to browse through some musician's profiles and study from someone who's music really speaks to you. Of course, ask the teacher a bit about his or her teaching history, and it is not inappropriate to ask to speak to someone that the teacher has already taught.
SENIOR'S COURSES
There are a few schools that are teaching group lessons for 65+ students. This is a great way to learn a new skill and meet new people with similar interests. Check out www.yamaha.ca for info.
REMEMBER:
1. Try to have an open mind, and if you had a bad experience as a child yourself in music lessons (ie rulers on knuckles, or something like that), check back in, since most schools now have a code of conduct that would prevent that kind of bad behaviour.
2. To me, it is important to find a teacher that is active in performance. A lot of music schools don't worry about if their teachers are good musicians, but I have found that musicians that are always making music, expanding skills, experiencing different places and kinds of music make the best teachers.
3. It's always the right time to study music. It feels really great to pick up an instrument, or sing a song and be involved in making music.
Here are some of the schools that are teaching music in Canada, and in Toronto.
The Royal Conservatory of Music - instrument lessons, reading music, classical music curriculum. Has a lot of fun new options for adult and children group studies. www.rcmusic.ca
Yamaha Canada Music - www.yamaha.ca
Little Fingers Music- group lessons for young children in Toronto's West end. www.littlefingersmusic.com
Kaos Music Centre - www.kaosmusiccentre.com
Long & McQuade - http://www.long-mcquade.com/lessons/
Merriam Music - www.merriammusic.com
Have a question about lessons? Are you interested in reading about something else in the music business? Send me an email at hannah@musicvillage.ca
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Movie Time
Hello Viewers and Fellow Bloggers,
I'd just like to make mention that a Music Village Sountrack will be appearing at the Moving Image Film Festival in Toronto, CAD this Saturday, October 17th at 1pm.
Ardent Pictures, and Independent Film Co. has created and released, "The Devil's Tail" a feature length film of intrigue, humour and deception. But since I can't describe it as well as others can, here is the synopsis:
When Eddie disappears in the Yucatan, Pete abandons his comfortable life in Toronto to search for his lifelong best friend, a charming Texas ne'er-do-well. Arriving in Mexico with his girlfriend Zoe and pal Dave, they discover a world that is deeper and darker than any tourist image of Cancun. As the hunt progresses, Pete encounters old love Kate who is now Eddie's girlfriend. Meanwhile, several local Mexicans disappeared at the same time as Eddie - a fact noticed by a popular barfly who befriends Pete - who also happens to be retired Texas Border Patrol. Eddie's sudden reappearance only adds to the puzzle as he deflects all questions by distracting them with Southern charm and promise of local adventures. And with Eddie's return, Pete must reluctantly relinquish his role of savior for Kate, who has blinders on to their real circumstances. With this, Pete learns there is more than one way to "disappear" and a startling discovery uncovers more about his past and his former friend than he can bear. All this set against the glorious backdrop of Mayan Ruins, stunning beaches, underground rivers and a beautiful country wrestling with its history of racism and its convoluted relationship with "Norteamericanos". The overall effect is of a complicated, character driven dramatic thriller tempered by the possibility of personal redemption.
So, here are some links:
http://www.miffest.com/miffestnewschedule.html
We are -- GIGGLESHORTS THEATRE - the Devil's Tail - Ardent Pictures, 1 pm.
www.ardentpics.com
www.musicvillage.ca
Well, if you live in Toronto and can make it out, I'd love to see you!
I'd just like to make mention that a Music Village Sountrack will be appearing at the Moving Image Film Festival in Toronto, CAD this Saturday, October 17th at 1pm.
Ardent Pictures, and Independent Film Co. has created and released, "The Devil's Tail" a feature length film of intrigue, humour and deception. But since I can't describe it as well as others can, here is the synopsis:
When Eddie disappears in the Yucatan, Pete abandons his comfortable life in Toronto to search for his lifelong best friend, a charming Texas ne'er-do-well. Arriving in Mexico with his girlfriend Zoe and pal Dave, they discover a world that is deeper and darker than any tourist image of Cancun. As the hunt progresses, Pete encounters old love Kate who is now Eddie's girlfriend. Meanwhile, several local Mexicans disappeared at the same time as Eddie - a fact noticed by a popular barfly who befriends Pete - who also happens to be retired Texas Border Patrol. Eddie's sudden reappearance only adds to the puzzle as he deflects all questions by distracting them with Southern charm and promise of local adventures. And with Eddie's return, Pete must reluctantly relinquish his role of savior for Kate, who has blinders on to their real circumstances. With this, Pete learns there is more than one way to "disappear" and a startling discovery uncovers more about his past and his former friend than he can bear. All this set against the glorious backdrop of Mayan Ruins, stunning beaches, underground rivers and a beautiful country wrestling with its history of racism and its convoluted relationship with "Norteamericanos". The overall effect is of a complicated, character driven dramatic thriller tempered by the possibility of personal redemption.
So, here are some links:
http://www.miffest.com/miffestnewschedule.html
We are -- GIGGLESHORTS THEATRE - the Devil's Tail - Ardent Pictures, 1 pm.
www.ardentpics.com
www.musicvillage.ca
Well, if you live in Toronto and can make it out, I'd love to see you!
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