The Next Four Emails You Need to Send

Hey friends:

As I mentioned four weeks ago, in times of uncertainty it is essential to communicate continually, even when you don't have all of the answers. Although most schools have implemented online instruction protocols, it does not fill the void left by the weeks of solitude, devoid of social interaction.

Similar to my previous email, I have written four sample emails for you. You can copy and paste as is, or modify to suit your situation better. I just want to be of service in some small way.

I hope this helps.

The recent video We Rest was designed specifically to help you communicate a message of hope and triumph during these difficult times. Consider sharing the video along with your email to convey a message of hope and triumph along with your text. We have even had principals sending it to their entire school communities.

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EMAIL #1: To Administrators: (Send to all admin, even district level Fine Arts coordinators)

Dear Admin Team:

First and foremost, thank you for your leadership during these difficult times. As a member of this faculty and resident of this community, I want you to know that I appreciate your efforts more than you know. 

The sudden pivot to online and distant learning has been an abrupt and unwelcome one that has challenged our entire school community to master new skills and teach in new ways, myself included. But that is not the purpose of this email.

As our district, community, and country begin the discussions related to reopening our schools, we will likely be faced with a whole new set of conditions, obstacles, and problems. And while our students will return, it will likely be under different circumstances.

As a program director who will likely be impacted by these decisions, I would very much like to be a part of those discussions. I have spent some time processing through the potential obstacles and believe I can help with possible solutions. In short, I want to be a proactive problem solver who helps our school move through this time and forward into the future.

I want you to know that I am here to support you in whatever capacity you need. I am a member of this faculty first and a music teacher second, and I would like to be an active part of helping our students and school move forward through and past these turbulent times. 

Please let me know how I can help.

In service, 

(insert name)

EMAIL #2: Email to Parents/Guardians/Supporters/Community Members

Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families,

As hard as it has been adjusting to life without students on campus, I am sure it has been equally, if not more, difficult for you to adjust to having your kids at home, quarantined, 24/7. In addition to all of your other roles and responsibilities (cooking, cleaning, parenting, working, etc.), you have suddenly become a full time teacher.

I would GLADLY take your kids off your hands if I could.

I wanted to reach out and let you know that as discussions begin as to how and when we reopen our campuses, I am actively working with our administration team to develop solutions that will ensure student safety but also minimize the impact to our program.

There will be changes. There will be adjustments. But there will also be MUSIC. 

As more specific information becomes available, I will reach back out and share it with you. In the meantime, please know that I am thinking of, and thankful for, you. You are more than a "band" parent, you are someone who is showing your children what grace under fire looks like.

Well most days. :)

Hang in there and I will have your students out from under your feet and back making music as soon as I can.

Sincerely, 

(insert name)

Email #3: Email to Student Leaders (can be texted as well)

Hey students,

First and foremost, let me say that I miss you all and look forward to a time when we can all be together again. 

Secondly, I am kind of suffering from a case of FOMO (fear of missing out). I am seeing and hearing about all of you texting, chatting, Zooming, Tik Tok(ing), Insta-chatting, etc. (You have to be impressed I could rattle all of those off, right?) I am so happy that you are staying connected. 

I know you miss making music, but staying connected and communicating is the most important thing right now. Take five minutes each day and reach out to someone inside our music family, check in, see how they are doing, and let them know you care.

I am working with the administration to plan for the reopening and to ensure that we minimize the disruptions to our program. As I know more, you will know more. But, in the meantime, be nice to your parents, communicate with each other, and STAY HEALTHY. I am trying to do the same. But I am feeling a little sick. I think I have...

FOMO-19. But it goes away, when you come back!

Missing all of you.

(insert name) 

Email #4 to Seniors (can be texted as well)

Dear Seniors,

Okoa, this Senior Ditch Day thing has gone on long enough! Sorry, my sad attempt and teacher humor.

This stinks. You are being cheated, robbed of so many experiences that you are deserving of and have rightfully earned after twelve years of hard work. Honestly, I am feeling a little victimized myself. I am sad that I don't get to be by your side and celebrate YOU! Yes, celebrate YOU! Not just as a musician but as a young person.

Yes, I am planning for what's next and what re-opening looks like when it happens. But, as a part of that, I am also planning to celebrate YOU.

As school moves forward, you will not be left behind. I want you to have your final experience. I want it for you and I want it for me.

I do not have all of the details figured out, but when has that ever stopped me?

Stay healthy, keep a positive attitude, and be nice to your parents. 

I will be in touch as more information becomes available, but in the meantime, enjoy your extended break and take your horns out every once in a while.

Sincerely, 

(insert name)

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WHERE ARE YOU ARTURO?

In 1937, the NBC Orchestra was brought to life specifically to serve under the baton of renowned conductor, Arturo Toscanini. Widely considered the finest orchestra of it's time, the group rehearsed, recorded, and performed at NBC's renown Studio 8H, which currently houses the cast and crew of Saturday Night Live.

Toscanini was the original and sole conductor of the iconic group until his final concert on April 4th, 1954, at Carnegie Hall. 

It was during this concert when Arturo suffered a significant memory lapse brought on by an ischemic attack. He retired at the age of 87, leaving behind an epic list of accomplishments, concerts, and recordings that unquestionably establishes him as one of the great musical minds of all time.

But he was no saint.

By all accounts, Toscanini was not an easy person to work alongside. He was known for being curt, irritable, and disagreeable. But then again, so were the diva musicians he was leading. 

Many outsiders minimalized and marginalized his impact, but his musicians respected and revered him for what he was able to do with them as an ensemble. 

With no Toscanini, the NBC Orchestra floundered for a bit and reorganized as the Symphony of the Air, until it disbanded in 1963. Despite having more talent than any other orchestra on the planet, without their leader, they were unable to find their footing and continue forward. 

The collapse of the world's finest orchestra shows us that conductors matter and that leadership is essential. If nothing else, a good leader can establish a clear vision, delineate shared goals, and point people towards a common destination. 

The COVID crisis has me feeling a little bit like a group without a director. We are a profession FILLED with incredible, creative, diligent, and hard-working professionals who will do ANYTHING to help their students find success. Still, I feel like we are missing a leader. Someone to assess the situation, triage the damage, and get people collaborating and working towards a common goal.

Triage the damage: What industries and activities are getting hit the hardest? How bad is the damage (musical, financial, and otherwise)? What resources (instructional, informational, & organizational) do we need to support those in need?

Get people collaborating: Assemble the troops (the entire profession), create a unified voice, separate into like-minded groups (education, businesses, professional collegiums, b/c/o, elem/MS/HS), and brainstorm solutions. Create a plan that will help us not just survive this crisis, but to GROW music education over the long term.

Move towards a common goal: Break down the areas and establish best practices and shared resources into prioritized and actionable plans. Produce and promote the tools/products/collateral necessary for us to succeed, not just in real-time, but moving forward.

In times of crisis, we need a singular voice, presenting a cohesive and coherent message. That does not necessarily mean a single person, but a group of people speaking as one. But it's not there.

It's not the first time I have felt this way. I distinctly remember feeling very similar in the aftermath of 2008. It's one of the main reasons we created Be Part of the Music. It was a group effort, working towards a singular goal. I believe that this crisis represents a similar opportunity, and it feels like we might, once again, miss our chance to unite, create, and collaborate as a community.

Don't get me wrong, there are MANY incredible organizations (private/public/educational/philanthropic) that are burning the candle at both ends and putting together INCREDIBLE resources, and I do not, in any way, mean to minimize their contributions and achievements.

But, I believe that we would be better served with a conductor. Someone to tell us where to start and how to end. Someone to prioritize the melody and help us find harmony. Someone to provide a direction, insist on collaboration and accept nothing short of our very best.

To be clear, I do not fancy myself that person. And, I am not Polyana enough to believe this to be a simple task. There are institutional boundaries, instructional territories, and professional careers on the line. But it needs to happen.

This will not be easy. It will likely ruffle some feathers and bruise some egos. It will require personal sacrifice and professional pain, but in the end, it will be worth it. Make no mistake; we can do this.

If that need is being met, and I am missing it, that is my blunder, and I apologize. But, we are the very best educators, artists, manufacturers, publishers, and music advocates the world has to offer, and the moment is at hand. 

But, I find myself looking around and wondering: Where are you, Arturo? 

We need you more than ever to bring the music back.

p.s. This week's webinar is called COVID Stir Crazy - Connecting With Students In An Online World. This webinar is for ANYONE who is teaching or connecting with their students online. The webinar will be hosted on The BAND App. You can RSVP here.

p.p.s. I am hosting all previous webinars on my website. If you missed any of them, you can watch them here.

APRIL FOOLS DAY AND MY NEW FOUND OPPORTUNITY

France celebrated the New Year, in the 16th century, just like we do today, except they partied on April 1st and not January 1st. Think of it as their very own Rockin' New Year's Eve, with better weather and no Kathy Griffin. Sounds pretty good, right? 

Well, not to Pope Gregory, who in 1562, decided to change things up and move the start of the calendar to January 1st, where it has remained for nearly four and a half centuries.

What a mistake! 

Imagine, instead of Times Square, frigid weather, and Baby New Year, we had the French Quarter, Mardi Gras, balmy temps, and the Easter Bunny. 

Okay, maybe January isn't such a bad idea after all. But I digress.

In 1562, lacking the interwebs, cell phones, and even the communication wonder that is smoke signals, communicating this change was a slow and challenging process. When the following April 1st rolled around, those who were caught celebrating were deemed to be APRIL FOOLS!

Why did the King make the change? Was it a good idea? I don't know if I care. 

Picking a starting date for the year is akin to picking a starting point for the Indianapolis 500, you're just going to end up in the same spot. And to my way of thinking, the academic calendar is no different than the Gregorian one.

As I write this, my state (Arizona) joined many others in the decision not to have students return to school. For many, it was expected, while for others, it was a shocking move. 

For me, it was just another April Fools Day.

Much like for the citizens of 16th century France, the decree has been made, and the calendar has been changed. Whether we like it or not, the change is afoot, and we must now adjust.

It's going to be okay. Remember, it's not the end to something; it's an adjustment. Moving New Year's Day didn't end the celebration; it relocated it. Similarly, moving the dates of school does not mean the end of learning; it means the relocation of it.

Concerts, contests, and competitions will have to be moved, rescheduled, or reformatted. That doesn't mean that music-making and learning have stopped; it just means it is being readjusted.

Music is still being made, just in different places and ways. Concerts are still being held, but with smaller audiences and in less formal attire. Students are still being taught, but the scope and sequence have been altered. And through it all, they are still learning! 

They are learning about sacrifice, compassion, and community. They are learning patience, humility, and responsibility. But most importantly, your students are learning to be a part of a family unit and appreciate the things they have and miss the things they don't. 

Just like you! And I feel the same way!

But this is where we are. Let us choose not to treat this as an exile or punishment, but as an opportunity to work towards, and prepare for, our future. 

For me, I am trying to write more, read more, communicate more, and learn more. I plan to finish things I have started and start things that I will need to finish. I plan to make these days something to be remembered, not just as historic, but as treasured time as a dad. I did not choose this reality, but I do choose how I respond to it. In short:

This is not my new normal! But when normal returns, I am hoping it might bring with it a new me.

For it is not what happens to me that determines whether I am the King or the Fool, it is how I respond to it. 

So for me, today is no day for fools. 

p.s. If you have not checked out COVID Curricula, you should. Join the 3,000 schools and 435,000 people who are using it. Plus, this Friday's activity is super cool. Go to www.joinsll.com. 

p.p.s. This Friday, I will be hosting my most important webinar yet, Recruiting and Retaining in the COVID World. As always, I try and be tactical and practical and give you REAL solutions, for REAL problems, in REAL time. You can reserve your spot here. But be there early, we already have over 915 registrations just in the first few hours. 

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

Four Emails You Need to Send (unless you already have)!

Hey friends:

In times of uncertainty, it is essential to communicate continually, even when you don't have all of the answers. For many, if not most families, you are the face of the school and the person they are most comfortable dealing with, so they need to hear from YOU! 

To help and simplify the process, I have written four sample emails for you. You can copy and paste as is, or modify to suit your situation better. I just wanted to be of service in some small way. 

I hope this helps.

EMAIL #1: To Administrators: (Send to all admin, even district level Fine Arts coordinators)

Dear Admin Team:

I hope you are healthy and taking care of yourself. 

I want you to know that I speak on behalf of our entire faculty when I say THANK YOU! Thank you for everything you have done, are doing, and will continue to do on behalf of our students and school community. I can't imagine what you are dealing with and the decisions you have to make. But, I want you to know that we appreciate you all.

I also wanted you to know that as the band/choir/orchestra director, I am actively working on non-instructional issues related to the school closure that is affecting my program. I am also planning and preparing for the changes that might be required upon our reopening. If you would like to know the specific things I am doing, please feel free to reach out to me. I am also maintaining an active communication schedule with my students and parents. If there is anything you want (or don't want) me to share, please let me know. 

Lastly, these are uncharted waters, and I know you are making decisions large and small with little information and no historical precedent. I want you to know that I am here to support you in whatever capacity you need. I am more than a music educator, I am a member of this faculty and school community, and I want to be an active part of helping our students and school move forward through and past these turbulent times. Please let me know what I can do.

In service, 

(insert name)

EMAIL #2: Email to Parents/Guardians/Supporters/Community Members

Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families,

I hope you are healthy and taking all precautions to keep everyone out of harm's way.

The unprecedented and abrupt closure of school has left everyone, teachers included, with more questions than we have answers. The situation is fluid and changing day by day. 

As our school and district work their way through the uncertainty, please know that I will continue to communicate information, not just as it relates to our program, but as it relates to the entire school community.

Lastly, you have all heard me say that our program is more than a class. It's a family. And families help one another. If there is anything I can do to be of service during these difficult times, I stand ready, able, and willing.

Hang in there, everyone, and remind your child to practice every once in a while!

Stay safe, and I will be in touch as more information becomes available.

Sincerely, 

(insert name)

Email #3: Email to Student Leaders (can be texted as well)

Hey student leaders,

First and foremost, let me say that I miss you all and look forward to a time when we can all be together again. 

In the meantime, I wanted to reach out and share a couple of thoughts. These are uncertain times, and while you might be reveling in the additional days off, some of your peers are nervous and concerned. Now is a great time to reach out to your section members and let them know you are thinking of them. Let them know that you are there for them and that they can turn to you with any questions or concerns they might have.

I know that you all have questions related to canceled events, the remainder of this year, and plans for next. Please remember that I am working on these issues and will be in touch as our next steps become clearer.

(If you have further instructions about a meeting or tasks needing to be done, this is where you would insert them.)

Please continue to be a leader at home by helping out and being kind to your family.

Be safe, and be healthy! 

(insert name) 

Email #4 to Students (can be texted as well)

Dear Students,

I hope you are well and staying healthy.

I just wanted to drop you a quick note and let you know that I miss you all and look forward to a time when we are all back together and making music.

My inbox is overflowing with questions and concerns related to canceled events and issues related to the end of the year. And while I don't have all of the answers, know that I am working to resolve all issues with as little impact to you as possible. 

You need not worry, that is my job. Your job is to stay healthy, keep a positive attitude, and help your family through these difficult times.

I will be in touch as more information becomes available, but in the meantime, enjoy your extended break and take your horns out every once in a while.

Sincerely, 

(insert name)

Think Different

On August 8th, 1997, Steve Jobs and Apple Computer introduced the world to Apple's new (and iconic) slogan, "Think Different." 

Originally inspired by Dr. Suess-esque's poem, the commercial (and subsequent campaign) went on to be among the most iconic ever created. The text of the ad is as follows:

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. 

You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them.

Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. 

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones, who do.

I have long been a fan of all things Apple and, to an extent, Steve Jobs. And while he was, at times, an unkind and unpleasant person, he reminds us that in life, all things are possible and that boundaries are made to be broken.

When asked about the campaign during an interview on PBS, Jobs responded with the following:

"When you grow up, you tend to get told the world is the way it is, and your job is to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money.

That's a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is - everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. The minute that you understand that you can poke life and actually something will, you know if you push in, something will pop out the other side, that you can change it, you can mold it. 

That's maybe the most important thing. It's to shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you're just going to live in it, versus embrace it, change it, improve it, make your mark upon it. I think that's very important and however, you learn that, once you learn it, you'll want to change life and make it better, cause it's kind of messed up, in a lot of ways. Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again."

Never be the same again!

I have heard the words "never be the same..." time and time again in recent days, and while the words are the same, they have a very different meaning for music educators.

Education will never be the same again? 
My question is, when was it ever the same? 

When did we ever get to have the same kids, march the same drill, or play the same music? When did we ever get the same judges, at the same contest, give us the same score? When did we ever have the same amount of rehearsals, with the same limited interruptions with the same level of focus?

Next time someone asks you, "When will it return to normal?" your answer should be, "I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS!"

Yes, these are turbulent and uncertain times for us all, myself included. The impact of the pandemic is real and we don't know boundaries. Things are changing in big and small ways on a minute by minute basis, including your classroom. 

And because of this, we as (music) educators are faced an unexpected paradigm shift of having to deal with online instruction and distance learning, despite having no training, experience, or resources. WOW.

I wish I had all of the answers. I want to solve all of your problems. I do. But, I don't, and I can't. But what I do know is that no one is better equipped to deal with it than YOU! Change is your constant. Challenge is your middle name and SUCCESS is the only outcome you will accept.

So as we navigate through this, let us also pause for a moment and be reminded of the lesson taught to us some twenty-three years ago that perhaps now is a time to THINK DIFFERENT... "Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do!"

This Friday, at 1:00 p.m. EST, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and I will be hosting a webinar on this very subject. If you are interested in being a part of this unique online experience, click on the button below. Space is limited to the first 300 participants. 

In the meantime, let's all try to THINK DIFFERENT.

JOIN THE WEBINAR

p.s. If you haven't also checked out my FREE online leadership course at Leadership University, you should. It is real curricula, delivered in real time to make a real impact. Did I mention that it was also FREE. Be sure to share with your students.

JOIN LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY

My Response to Covid-19

Dear friends:

As you well know, in the past week the world of music education (and education in general) have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Canceled concerts, trips, and entire seasons have left a large swath of sad, confused, and worried students and parents in its wake.

And they are not alone. 

Entire families are facing questions related to health, security, and economic uncertainty. And as much as they might try to shield it from their children, the angst can't help but unknowingly pass through the house, much like the virus that brought it about.

On many occasions in this blog, and on a stage, I have made the case that music teachers are not just the leaders of young people, but leaders of the community. And in times of crisis, leaders step forward and take action.

We are not doctors, policymakers, or fortune-tellers. We can not predict with any accuracy what the future may hold. Nor should we. Our false predictions will cure no one and diminish our credibility as educators.

What we can do is to provide a sense of normalcy, routine, and reason for hope. As we enter into a time where you may (or may not) be physically away from your students, that doesn't mean you cannot be an influence in their daily lives. Consider the following:

  • Create a YouTube channel and offer a practicing tip of the day.

  • Open the room up for students to get their instruments.

  • Have students post their practice sessions on your social media feed.

  • Send them a daily inspirational quote or meme.

  • Create an online musical scavenger hunt.

  • Have them participate in a music leadership course.

  • Send them a musical word search, puzzle, or game.

  • Have leaders check on their section members.

  • Send them sample menu items with musical pairings.

  • Send them silly music-based "Would You Rather" questions.

  • Text them a musical joke of the day.

  • Send music listening guides.

  • Host an online gathering/jam session/fun room.

  • Send them a video message reminding them that you miss them.

These are just a few of the many possibilities. This is the time to get your creative teacher juices flowing. Have a good idea that you want to share with others, share it with me and I will try to pass it along.

In hopes of filling in for lost time and lost learning, I have reopened my online leadership course LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY for FREE. The course is applicable for any secondary music student regardless of age or curricula. As a part of the course, students receive videos, worksheets, and online quizzes. In addition, they can use the chat boards to talk with other student leaders from all across the country and the world. When completed, students will have a binder full of lessons learned and thoughts to share when they return to your classrooms.

Students can sign up and complete the course 100% free of charge at www.leaderoftheband.org. I will be updating the course materials throughout this week. You can check on their progress by asking them to post on the chat boards. You could even host online discussion groups about the materials.

CHECK OUT LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY

Listen, I know you are frustrated, angry, confused, and concerned. I am as well. But, the emotions we feel are only magnified by the turbulence and insecurity of the teenage mind and body. 

So as they struggle, we rise up and model what resilience, restraint, and resoluteness look like. That is who we are and what we do. That is a part of being a music educator and part of being a leader. Now is the time our students need us the most. The F#'s and Bb's will soon be forgotten, but how we respond in this moment will be remembered.

We cannot always control what happens to us in life, but we can control how we respond to it. I am proud of each and every one of you for your intelligence, creativity, and grace under fire. You are the very model of a professional educator.

If I can be of help in any way, please reach out and contact me.

Regards,

Scott Lang

p.s. You may be hearing from me more often than just Wednesdays in the coming weeks. Just a heads up. I won't overwhelm you, but just want to be present.

p.p.s. If you need a pick me up, sign up for our #YouMatter campaign. Join music teachers from across the globe in being reminded that #YouMatter.

p.p.p.s Please forward this email on to anyone (parent/student/colleague) that you think might benefit

Falling Forward and My Impending Heart Attack

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As I write this, it's Monday, and frankly, the week is off to a miserable start. There is a chill in the air (and by chill, I mean it was 67), the stock market is in a free-fall, and Covid-19 is dominating the airways. To add insult to injury, my cold had returned (for the second time in as many months), AND I am at a 24% increased risk for a heart attack. 

Yes, heart attack!

So, I spent today glued to my bed, television, and heart rate monitor.

Why the increased concern with the condition of my ticker? Lack of sleep!

A 2014 U.S. study showed that the one hour of sleep lost during the daylight saving time "spring forward" raised the risk of having a heart attack the following Monday by 24% compared to every other Monday. By contrast, "falling back" later in the year when we gain an extra hour of sleep, heart attack risk fell 21% on the following Tuesday after returning to standard time.

Your heart is not alone in its vulnerability. The change in Daylight Savings Time has also been linked to lack of appetite, mood changes, car accidents, and an increased risk of stroke.

Seriously, can someone explain the reason behind this time shifting madness? It's killing me, LITERALLY!

It's amazing the impact one little bitty hour of sleep can have. And remember, it affects more than us; it affects our students as well.

We have long known the impact that sleep can have on student achievement, musical and otherwise. Study after study shows that our school-aged teens are wandering our campus in a sleep-deprived zombie-like state. School, activities, homework, repeat.

Teaching and learning don't exist in a bubble. It is part of an educational and natural ecosphere that is affected by things outside of our classrooms. And, as hard as we might try to ignore it, nature almost always wins, so we had better pay attention.

We have long been able to tie the effect that nutrition and physical health have on brain development and mental cognition. But there is new and an ever-growing mountain of evidence that suggests the correlation between our environment and our cognitive function is even higher than we initially thought.

Need more evidence? Read on.

In a recently published paper entitled Air Filters, Pollution, and Student Achievement, academian, and author Michael Gilraine, looked at the surprising consequences of the Aliso Canyon gas leak in 2015.

In response to the disaster, the local school district didn't re-engineer the school buildings or make dramatic education reforms; they just installed $700 commercially available filters that you could put into any room in the country, and test scores shot up.

This rural community is not alone in its findings. There is a growing body of evidence that ties air quality to improved cognition. 

That got you thinking? If so, you must be breathing clean air. But wait, there's more.

In New York City, schools are installing washing machines to improve student hygiene, and are seeing remarkable results. Attendance is up dramatically as is academic performance, as we all know, you can't teach a child that's not there.

As a profession, we long ago discovered that teaching and learning are not isolated to a school or classroom. What has been more recent is our understanding that it is also not limited to just the cerebral cortex or the temporal lobe. It's affected by the lungs, the eyes, and the ears. 

Yes, the ears.

There have been hundreds of studies on the impact of music on brain function. But what is less known, or less documented, is how the effect of making music affects our desire to engage, interact, and learn in the aftermath, but I believe it does. 

You can't ignore the fact that cleaner air leads to higher academic performance or that cleaner clothes increases reading scores. The evidence is clear.

But what about music? We know that students participating in music are more academically successful, but why? Could it be in part because of what they hear? Just because we can't quantify it or cite a causal relationship doesn't make it any less valid.

Making and hearing great music helps to make a great kid. How can it not? If what we eat and breathe affects us, how can what we see and hear not have the same impact? 

Let me say it again, making and hearing great music helps to make great kids. I would bet my life on it.

And I live in one of the only places where Daylight Savings Time isn't observed, so my life has a 24% greater chance of being here tomorrow!

Have a great week.

Our (not so) Super Tuesday and Wonderful Wednesday!

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As I sat down to write this week's e-zine, I couldn't find my groove. A tough week of travel and other writing deadlines had me uninspired and lacking inspiration, which is kind of my jam.

I was a motivational speaker missing his mojo. 

I decided to take a break. I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV in hopes of finding something to write about. ANYTHING to write about. Writing deadlines are my nemesis.

The first channel was sharing the initial results from Super Tuesday. 

Imagining this to be another all-night process, I switched to another channel only to find that the coronavirus is continuing to spread virtually unchecked. Channel three? It turns out the stock market and my 401K are actually 911. NOT OK! 

So tonight's attempt at soul-enriching fulfillment; death, politics, and poverty, the Holy Trinity of depression.

I shut the TV off.

As I got up to stare into the nutritional abyss that is my snack cache (yes, I self medicate with snacks), the home phone rang. You know, the phone that we keep solely for 911 and telemarketers?

I grabbed it and prepared to use this opportunity to make my unsolicited caller sorry that they had chosen this exact moment to reach out to me. 

"Hello?" I said in a brusk voice.

"May I please speak with Scott Lang?" the faint male voice said.

Not recognizing the voice or long distance number, I was getting ready to tell him that Scott had passed away in a tragic lunchtime accident involving a vat of peanut butter and a Carly Simon album. Still, my better angels reached out to me, and I said, "This is he, how can I help you?"

He responded, "My name is Oscar, and I am driving from Chicago to Minneapolis and I found an electronic watch in my rental car. Not knowing how it worked, I played with it until I found a home button, and it pulled up your name. Did you, by chance lose a watch?"

"OMG, yes! It was a Christmas gift from my wife and got lost when my backpack flew open while running for a workshop. I also lost a set of AirPods my wife gave me for Valentine's Day!" 

Did I mention it was a rough travel week?

After a long and thankful conversation, Oscar said he would look for my AirPods and mail my watch to me. 

There was the inspiration I was looking for and needed.

People are good. They are smart, honest, and given the opportunity, will go above and beyond to do the right thing.

So, to stem the tide and save what's left of your day, I am saying goodbye to Super Tuesday and hello to Wonderful Wednesday.

These stories listed below are ones I have been holding on for use in future e-zines, but I think today is the day to share. I have copied and hyperlinked them directly to their source.

Enjoy. 

U.K. Patient Plays Violin During Unusual Brain Tumor Surgery

Surgeons at King's College Hospital in London removed a brain tumor from a woman who played the violin during the procedure. Doctors for violinist Dagmar Turner, 53, mapped her brain before the surgery to identify areas that were active when she played the instrument. 

They then woke her mid-procedure so she could play to "ensure the surgeons did not damage any crucial areas of the brain that controlled Dagmar's delicate hand movements," the hospital said in a statement.

(I guess sometimes you get a song stuck in your head, and this is the only way to get it out.)

Drumming makes your brain more efficient

Over years of practice, drummers appear to modify the way that the two sides of their brain communicate. According to a recent study, the cabling that runs between the two hemispheres of a drummer's brain is significantly different from non-musicians.

A recent study hunts for brain changes associated with playing the drums.

Playing drums is a unique skill. Drummers can complete different rhythmical tasks with all four of their limbs, simultaneously. The coordination required is impossible for non-drummers.

(Say what you want, but I think there's hope for me yet.)

High Schoolers Build Prosthetic Hand for Friend Who Wants to March

Tabetha Noel-Ratcliff and Clark Strong didn't know each other until a few weeks ago. She was born with a hand deformity and had a desire to be a part of the marching band. Clark wanted to help, so he made her a prosthetic with a 3D printer that would allow her dream to come true.

If you are looking for more pick-me-up type stuff, be sure to sign up for our #YouMatter campaign, an irregular and irreverent look at the power of music education. 

#YouMatter

  • Scott

p.s. I received the following from a teacher (Lauralyn A) just a few weeks ago. Thought I would share. 

This past weekend I was disheartened to hear that one of my new 6th grade beginning trumpet players had faced a terrible tragedy. Their family home had caught fire and burned completely. The family lost everything......Well almost. 

This morning as this cute kiddo came to school I was surprised and delighted to see his trumpet in his hands as he entered the band room. 

With a big smile on his face, I asked him "Hey dude...That trumpet looks like it's in perfect shape, how did it manage to escape the fire?" "It's all OK, Mrs A," he replied, "When I was running from the house to get out, I made sure I grabbed my trumpet." 

This kid lost everything this weekend that belonged to him but his trumpet. I was extremely touched to think of all the possessions he could have grabbed and ran out with, that his trumpet was right at the top of his list. 

I'm lucky to teach such great kids, and truly inspired by them. 



Astro-Fixicist and Our Profession

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For most of us, when we think of an Astrophysicist, we picture a super genius who spends her days using super-computers to model how galaxies operate. These are people who spend their days working on complex algorithms and theorems to describe how our universe operates, and the impact of two stars colliding in the Andromeda Galaxy.

People who excel in this complex field are considered rock stars and are revered by experts and laypeople alike. Giants like Stephen Hawking, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Carl Sagan have helped shape not just the way we view outer space, but the way we see our planet and ourselves. 

These people work for the most forward-thinking organizations and are doing work that is critical to our safety and survival - places like DARPA, NASA, the Department of Defence... And Stitch Fix.

Stitch Fix? Yep, Stitch Fix.

Started in a Cambridge, Massachusetts loft in 2011, Stitch Fix is a personal styling service that has grown into a two billion dollar subscription service and is changing users closets in every corner of the United States and Europe.

Including mine!

For Christmas, in a thinly veiled attempt to update my style, my wife gave me a trial subscription. Now, I know what you are thinking, "But Scott, you are already my fashion icon and style maven!" (You thought that, right?)

And yes, while I pride myself on a dapper appearance, there are two unavoidable and undeniable things:

  1. I tend to wear the same type of stuff all of the time.

  2. An astrophysicist has never dressed me.

Yep, that's right. As we speak, I am personally styled by someone 
much, much smarter than myself. 

It turns out that more so than personal stylists, Stitch Fix has been on a hiring bender for anyone and everyone willing to abandon science for swag, and they are not alone. Netflix, Spotify, and Google are searching for the same type of people to help grow their businesses.

According to Wired Magazine, "Even at elite universities, fewer astrophysics PhDs go on to take postdoctoral fellowships or pursue competitive professorships. Now, more of them go straight to work in Silicon Valley."

These companies, and more, are looking for people who are well versed in predictive analytics in hopes that they can better understand and help with what people need and want.

The concept for Stitch Fix is simple, use the best and brightest to help you be your best and brightest.

I think we need a "Pitch Fix" for music education. Someone or something that could:

  • Hear your rehearsal and give you real-time feedback on issues related to pitch and rhythm.

  • Listen to your ensemble and recommend appropriate literature.

  • Study your recordings and provide relevant technique building materials.

  • Read your memos/documents and recommend better voicing.

  • Analyze your storage facility for optimization.

  • View your profile and guide you towards jobs best suited for your skill sets.

  • Push you towards taking more risks in programming.

  • Recommend rehearsal pacing based on the day, week, or month.

But more than anything, music educators could use someone to objectively view you as an individual, and help YOU see YOURSELF in a new and unique way.

Setting aside National Standards and best practices, teaching music is a HIGHLY personalized activity. Our ability to choose our literature, and set our scope and sequence sets us apart from most other curricular areas. Add to that the highly subjective and artistic nature of our curricula and the uniqueness of each school community, and you find yourself with an activity that is taught nationwide, but seldom in the same way.

Is this good or bad? I could argue either way, but I will say that it creates a very unique set of challenges to address and obstacles to overcome. More importantly, it makes the activity more dependant on the teacher than the curricula, which makes teacher development critical to the success of our profession, and most districts and schools lack the resources, personnel, or time to do this.

Which means as a profession, we are in a Fix, with no one to Stitch.

Listen, we all need a set of fresh ideas, someone to show us our blind spots, and help us avoid the potholes of our profession. But perhaps most important of all, after years (and years) in the same space, with the same kids, teaching the same subject, we need someone to help us see OURSELVES anew. We need someone to challenge our old ways of thought and help us grow as we grow older.

Who is that for you?

If you need someone, let me be your guy. Today at 1:00 pm MST, I will sign onto a Zoom chat roomand do two things:

  1. Open up my new Stitch Fix box live and let you determine what I keep and send back.

  2. Listen to anything you want to share and answer any question you have.

Come see me and let's chat. 

I am certainly no Neil deGrasse Tyson, but then again, what does he know about music education?!

See you in a couple of hours. Join me, it might be fun.

VISIT SCOTT

p.s If you want to try Stitch Fix, you can use this unique url to get a free $25.00 credit.

p.p.s I reached out to Stitch Fix to see if they wanted to offer an additional coupon or prize. They declined. :(

February's No Good Month and Our Factfulness

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February is a no good, awful month. It's cold, dark, and everyone I know is sick and tired. SICK AND TIRED OF FEBRUARY THAT IS! 

What? You think February is the month of love and celebrating our past presidents? Well, my kids hijacked my Valentine's Day (since when did kids get gifts from Cupid?), and as for Presidents, without my wallet in front of me, I can't name more than a handful.

In fact, it's not just February I'm tired of. This whole year has been a stinkbomb. 2020 has underwhelmed my expectations while overwhelming my delicate sensibilities, and I say we get a do-over!

Oh, how sweet, you are a Pollyanna and see the good in everything? Well, in just seven weeks we have had:

  • Toxic politics.

  • An Impeachment trial.

  • Uncontrolled Fires in the Australian Outback.

  • The passing Kobe Bryant's and eight friends.

  • Massive melting glaciers.

  • Crop eating locust swarms.

  • And the creme-de-la-creme, the Coronavirus.

And don't even get me started on the whole Prince Harry and Princess Meghan Brexit! That's BANANAS!

All of this tragedy has me sitting in a corner, sucking my thumb, and mumbling to myself in a way that my wife calls "deeply concerning." 

Yes, as far as I can see, 2020 stinks!

But not everyone agrees with me. It turns out there is a family of well regarded Nordic researchers that believe the world is not going to heck in a handbasket but that it is actually getting better. And they have facts to back it up.

In the landmark book, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World-and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, authors, and TED Talks phenomenon, Hans, Ola, and Anna Rosling offer a radical new explanation of why we forgo positively oriented data in favor of negatively biased opinions.

According to the New York Times, Factfullness, "...reveal[s] the ten instincts that distort our perspective—from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse)."

As the author Rosling put it, "Our problem is that we don't know what we don't know, and our guesses are informed by unconscious and predictable biases."

To prove their point, they gave a ten question test to tens of thousands of people about the state of affairs in the world today compared to our recent past, and the results were alarming. What was so troubling was the average person's complete lack of understanding about the world around them. In fact, our ineptitude was so laughable that they gave the same test to a group of chimps, and the chimps scored higher! CHIMPS!

You can take the test here. 

It turns out that we modern humans are a dark lot and are wanton to believe the worst in people and our world, even when evidence to the contrary is as abundant as it is obvious.

For instance, did you know that in our world:

  • Literacy is at an all-time high?

  • Female educational levels are at an all-time high?

  • Childhood vaccinations are at an all-time high?

  • 80% of our world now has a liveable income?

  • 80% of our world population lives in a first or second world country?

  • In the last 20 years, the number of people living in poverty has been halved?

  • The number of deaths due to natural disasters has been halved?

  • There are fewer deaths due to global conflict than ever before?

Despite what politicians and pundits would have us believe, our schools, our country, and our planet are doing better than we give it credit. And the evidence supports it. EVEN THE CHIMPS KNEW THAT.

Yes, there are still very real and pressing concerns that we as a people face, but let us not forget that our ability to innovate, communicate, and collaborate is limitless and has served us well in dark times before.

I think what happens in the world also happens in music. I think sometimes we tend to see the bad in our profession instead of the good. We focus on our feelings instead of our facts. We see our jobs and our students with the filter of what's not right instead of what is. We look for what we want and not what we have.

It might be human nature, but it's not natural. Remember, the CHIMPS were able to figure this stuff out.

If Dr. Rosling were here, he would remind us to take a breath, turn off the news, and go hang out with some kids. That should cheer us both up. 

But he passed away last... February. 

UGH. I need my blankie.

Have a great Febru (er...) March everyone!

-Scott