COME ON GET HAPPY

Teenagers are perceived as a dark, moody, and selfish group. More likely to roll their eyes than roll up their sleeves, they are viewed by most adults as lazy snowflakes, wanting and waiting for the world to revolve around them.

As the parent of two teen boys (to be honest, my wife is the parent, I'm more of the guardian, daily co-habitant, and butt of all jokes guy), I can attest to some of this and verify that their daily existence happens in four stages:

  1. Wake up

  2. Put in AirPods

  3. Ignore/make fun of dad

  4. Go to bed

Every time I complain about it, my wife likes to remind me that the people we interact with are not the people that other people experience. Apparently, when these two knuckleheads leave the house, they magically transform into happy, polite, engaged, and hard-working humans.

How do I not see this?

As someone who works with teens, I know them to be a happy lot generally, and there's evidence to prove it.

A recent study showed that in 2021, 81 percent of young people said they were happy. Down from 91 percent in 1997, a substantial majority are still happy and satisfied with life. When asked about life fulfillment, most respondents stated that it stemmed from having something to which they belong and contribute. 

So why the slide? What happened in the late '90s and early 2000s to start the downward trend?

Cell phones.

In the recently published book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness, authors Robert Waldinger & Marc Shultz stated a simple and profound conclusion: Health and happiness come from good relationships nurtured in person over time.

With increasing regularity and intensity, as a country, we are putting educational goals at the forefront, which can impede relational goals. Every day, students move from class to class, each with different students, working independently, with just seven minutes passing periods and twenty-five-minute lunches to form connections and nurture friendships. They often return home with increased homework demands and decreased free time, forcing students to find other (electronic) ways to connect.

The pandemic only made it worse. 


Remember the key to happiness? Nurturing relationships! 

 

A recent study showed that the average American teen spends 10 hours on their phone daily, equating to 3,650 hours, or 152 days, a year. If you consider eight hours of sleep, that is 62% of their (awake) time spent connecting with people remotely or, in some instances, not connecting with anyone at all.

Music provides an artistic and creative outlet and nurtures relationships by forcing students to interact with the same people every day, before and after school, for years. This is as true for students as it is for adults.

I am frequently asked if I miss teaching, and my response has always been the same, "I miss working with the same kids every day. The relationships, the inside jokes, and seeing them grow."

I always knew WHAT I missed. Now I understand WHY I missed it.

Because it made ME happy!

I always knew that music was good for kids. This is a reminder that it is good for us too.

Something to think about.

Have a great week.

- Scott

THE QUEEN OF CLEAN RUNS OUT OF STEAM!

THE QUEEN OF CLEAN RUNS OUT OF STEAM!

Marie Kondo, the international best-selling author, self-proclaimed tidying expert, and star of not one, but two, Netflix TV series, is giving up.

Giving up her writing? 
Giving up her career? 
Giving up her show?

Nope. Marie Kondo is giving up - on tidying up. 

Yep, that's right, the Queen of Clean, has run out of steam! The 4'10" dynamo - is no mo!

Wonder why she 86'd the 409? Curious as to why she cleaned house on cleaning house? Want to know why she gave the boot to organizing the boots? (I know, it's a reach.)

She had a third child.

In a recent interview with the Washington Post, she stated, "Up until now, I was a professional tidier, so I did my best to keep my home neat at all times. Now I realize what is important to me is enjoying spending time with my children at home." 

Kondo and the KonMari method (Kondo's tidying process) are all about decluttering by tossing anything that doesn't "spark joy" — has now joined the rest of us in this messy, unkempt, slightly disorganized world. 

Kondo pushed her tidying principles to make a tidy sum, but that was before the three kids—a human form notoriously opposed to cleanliness. Heck, I give Marie a ton of credit; I gave up after just two kids. And, if we're being honest, my boys don't always spark joy. My wife says they spark more joy than I do, so I tread lightly. 

In her new book Marie Kondo Kurashi at Home: How to Organise Your Space and Achieve Your Ideal Life, she states that KonMari, "centers on the Japanese concept of kurashi, meaning way of life." 

Now she focuses on creating not just a home that sparks joy, but a life that does. She states that when they are in conflict, focus less on the house and more on life.

And that's where I went wrong.

As a teacher and a person, I have always been a fan of tidy. Tidy office, tidy rehearsal space, and a tidy life. My theory was, "How can you clean an articulation if you can't clean a room? How can you be detail-oriented about an articulation if you aren't detail-oriented about the chairs?" A nice catchphrase and a truism for a young teacher trying to pretend he knew what he was doing. 

But like my friend Marie, having kids of my own changed that.

Kids are messy. In all ways, and all things. Messy hair, messy clothes, messy rooms, messy lockers, messy emotions, and messy minds. But, as my wife quickly pointed out, messy isn't always bad.

Messy means experiences. Messy means action. Messy means memories. Messy means risk-taking. Messy means growth. 

Looking back on my 16 years in the classroom, I understand that I could have straightened fewer crooked rows and more crooked pathways. I could have fixed fewer broken stands, and more broken lives. I should have worried less about the mess, and more about those who made it.

"The true purpose of tidying is not to cut down on your possessions or declutter your space," Kondo says. "But, to learn to make meaningful choices and find gratitude in everyday life and the people in it."

More children mean more mess. More mess, means more impact!

For today, let's embrace the mess and let it serve as evidence that children are present, music is being made, and you're making a difference and having an impact. 

That should spark joy for you. 

Have a great week. 

Scott

A Open Letter to My Hacker

Friends -

I am sending this to my entire list for reasons already apparent to many of you. I hope this makes you smile or chuckle a bit.

Yesterday, after a workshop with a particularly wonderful group of kids, I had to make a beeline to the airport to catch a tight flight. I ran out the door and turned on my phone for directions. The next thing I knew, my phone was blowing up. I am talking 48 pings, 112 dings, and vibrating non-stop like Bobby Brown's pager type of blow up.

I immediately thought, what happened? Who died? Did Prince Harry and Camilla have another spat? Nope, none of the above. 

It turns out I was hacked, and my information was stolen. My entire email list was asked to send me $2880.90 via Zelle and that I would reimburse them with a check, which is not only ridiculous, but an oddly specific number. 

Crazy that on the same day that we announced our new BPOTM platform, and a nationwide webinar, a hacker decided everyone on my list needed a THIRD email.

The next couple of hours were spent responding to hundreds of friends and family concerned about my being hacked, and my sudden need for cash.

My response to the cyberpunk who hacked my life today is below.

I hope you enjoy it. 

- Scott

An Open Letter to My Hacker

Dear Dipwad Hacker:

Since you claim to be my namesake now, can I ask you a question?

What's your secret?

No, I am serious. How were you able to obtain so much of my personal information so quickly? In one day, you found out more about me than I knew or remembered abouty myself. 

Don’t believe me? Let me explain.

To correct your little shenanigans, I had to remember passwords I had long forgotten, along with the answers to security questions I didn't even know I had answered. I'm not kidding. I thought my first concert was Rush, but according to Experian Credit Services, I was never there. Oh yeah, and my first dog’s name was spelled BEAU, no BO! For the love of goodness, now you are better at spelling than me?

Oh yeah, if you could also help me remember the first street I lived on, that would go a long way to untangling the mess you created. Come on, just give me the first couple of letters, I can take it from there.

Yes, you are an identity thief, but not a very good one. Seriously! You shopped at JCPenney, Kohls, and a tattoo parlor? I‘m not sure whose identity you stole, but it certainly wasn't mine. I don't shop at any of those places.

And can we talk about the Applebee's gift card you bought? You understand that the theft penalty is the same regardless of where you eat, right? Their slogan is "Good food, good people." What were you thinking? Their food is not good, and you are not a good person. Please tell me you see the irony in this.

As long as you're going to steal, at least enjoy a good meal before you go to jail. Grab the Ruth's Chris Steak House gift card next time. It's on me. No, really. Apparently it is, because I can't remember my first concert. 

Please tell me it wasn't Milli Vanilli. Was it?

I hope you sleep well on that 12-thread count bedding you bought from JCPenney. My guess is you'll be chaffing for days. That's what you get for stealing my identity.

The thing is, you didn't really steal my identity; you just stole a bunch of numbers. You can't steal my identity, because you can't steal what makes me who I am. You can't steal:

  • My degrees or education.

  • My friends and family.

  • My memories of making great music with great kids.

  • The inspiration I get from seeing amazing teachers every day.

  • My AMAZING wife and pretty wonderful kids.

  • The joy I felt after this morning's workshop.

  • My ability to hear Grainger and understand something you don't.

  • The humility I feel after working a hard day, and knowing that compared to most, it wasn't that hard.

But most of all, you can't steal the honor I feel for serving this incredible profession for thirty-two years. I love my job, and I love my colleagues. I love that as a music educator, I get to make the world a better place. 

Can you say the same, Mr. Dipwad Hacker?

I am a music teacher. That is my identity. That is my joy. And you can't steal that.

So, thanks for the reminder of how lucky I am.

Scott 

p.s. I am just fine. The whole event was a great opportunity to reach out to old friends who care about me. Thanks mom for calling me and asking if I needed money (That really happened). I don't.

p.p.s. Please join me for my webinar on February 7th. 

p.p.p.s. I am excited about the new BPOTM experience coming your way in seven days.

AI, GPI, and DCI

It is Tuesday afternoon, 4:30 p.m. I am marrying my Nephew in 48 hours. By that - I mean I am the officiant! My family is in town, I'm behind on a project for work, and I haven't finished the text for the services. What stresses me out the most? I haven't written this week's blog.

UGH.

Seeing my angst, my cousin, who is in town for the wedding, said, "What's the big deal? Send it Thursday - or just skip it this week"

Is he kidding? Does he not understand the gravity of the situation?

To be clear, you would all be just fine without my weekly missive. Perhaps even better off. Me? I haven't missed a Wednesday deadline in 15 years. And it's not gonna happen today, MISTER!

So, maybe I don't have to write it? It will be written, but perhaps not by me. 

The general idea of AI and GPI is to be more human. Create a robot/software that looks like a human, moves like a human, sounds and functions like a human. This should allow them to easily take over a job already handled by a real person. Want a delivery truck to operate autonomously? Just have a humanoid robot climb into the driver's seat. Need a temporary replacement for a factory worker on an assembly line? Train a humanoid robot to use the tools and equipment the human already uses. The pursuit of a humanoid robot is all about making a form factor that can navigate a world designed by and for humans, while being adaptable enough to step into any human role—like a drummer. 

The technology was developed by San Francisco-based OpenAI, a research company led by Sam Altman and backed by Microsoft and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Khosla Ventures. 

 According to an article in Wired Magazine, "ChatGPT is a new Artificial intelligence program that automatically generates text based on written prompts in a fashion that's much more advanced and creative than the chatbots of Silicon Valley's past." 

And it has teachers and others scared. 

In a recent conversation with a high school friend turned Collegiate Choir director, he wondered if this new technology was the death of modern instruction. I asked him if he used spell check or Grammarly. I asked if he had ever looked up information on the internet. I asked him if he used polling software, grading software, or any other piece of technology that made his job easier or made him more efficient.

I continued on and asked him, as a music teacher, had he ever used a synthesizer, midi samples, tuner, or Finale. He answered yes.

The question is not, do we use technology, but how is the technology used? Keep this in mind, the same ground mapping technology that helps to get you and your car to a location in the fastest, safest way possible is the same technology Putin is using to send bombs to Children's Hospitals in Ukraine. The same uranium used to keep Cancer at bay is also used in bombs.

What about music? The same f# used in Adagio for Strings is also used in Muzak on elevators. Sampling sounds that can put a studio musician out of work also allows sixth graders in remote locations to play along with a full string orchestra. Heck, the electric guitar was once called the death of real music.

Technology isn't good or bad. People are good and bad. And that's why AI can't replace DCI. Because AI and Chat GPI can tell you about the right and wrong way to do something, but they can't teach you the difference between right and wrong.

That's what music does.

Besides, my job is safe. It turns out that AI can't play the drums. And ANYONE can do that. But, it may have written this blog post - and it takes someone extraordinary to do that. 

Have a great week! 

Scott


p.s. Wednesday morning update. Finished the wedding stuff late last night. It's going to be great!

James Patterson and Embracing Our Middleness

With over 322 books to his credit, James Patterson is one of the most prolific living writers living today. Believe it or not, it's hard to find a current number, because he averages twelve new books a year. That's right, a new book every month!

Interestingly, while Patterson's first book was published in 1976, most of his writing happened after he retired as an advertising executive in 1997. In just the past decade, he has sold 425 million books, and has an estimated net worth of 700 million dollars.

 

And it's not just the quantity that's impressive; it's also the quality. Patterson currently holds the Guinness World Record for the highest number of New York Times Best Sellers by a single author.

Patterson writes in virtually every genre (fiction, non-fiction, young adult fiction, short stories, novellas, and children's literature) and has co-written with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and a host of other celebrities and writers. (I am waiting for my call.) I wanted his recently released autobiography for the holidays but could not get it because it's sold out everywhere. Not even SANTA can get his book. 

Listen, I have typed more than my fair share of words and published more than a few things. And, as you may know, I have even written a few books. I fully understand and appreciate the effort and emotion it takes to create, write, edit, and publish a literary work, which is why I can't fathom doing it 322 times. 

How does he do it? How does he crank out such volume? How does he come up with so many ideas? 

In a recent article in GQ Magazine, he states, "I have a folder in my office here, and it's about nine inches thick, and on every page, there could be anywhere from one to 10 or 11 ideas. When I'm thinking about writing another book, I'll start looking through it, and every once in a while, there's something that's been in there for a long time - all of a sudden, I see it differently, and I know how to tell a story around it."

Honestly, he and I have a similar writing flow. I have an (electronic) folder with over 150 ideas for blogs, articles, and yes, another book. Some of these ideas date back a decade or more. Anytime I see/read/think of something, I throw it in the folder, which I re-read every Monday morning in preparation for writing Wednesday's blog.

Yes, J.P. and I are twinsies. Well, except for the fact that more people BUY what he writes. How can I be more like J.P.? 

 

Patterson states, "If you can write beginnings and ends, you can make a nice living as a writer. If you write middles, you win Pulitzers and Nobel Prizes and stuff. But with beginnings and ends, you're going to do okay." 

Write middles? Interesting. I always thought the key to success was writing pithy puns.

The more I pondered on this, the more sense it made to me. Middle's matter, not just in writing, but in life. And, as a rule, people are good at starting and ending things, but not as good at working through the middle.

Think about it with your program.

  • The start of the year has energy and excitement - the end has angst and anticipation. The middle? It's a chore and a bore.

  • Starting/sightreading/ performing new literature is fun. Rehearsing in-between? Not so much. 

  • Even in music, the beginning and ends of pieces are typically memorable, whereas the middle is where they stick the slow part.

  • Elementary school rings with energy and excitement. High school with new experiences and onsetting adulthood. Middle school? No one ever said, "Those were the best years of my life!"

As I said, the middle is hard. The middle stinks. And that's precisely where we are.

As we begin the year anew, it's anything but new. For educators, January isn't a New Year; it's an old one. We have the same students, classes, schedule, budget, etc. There's NOTHING new, fun, or exciting about January's return to school. Do you know why? Because it's the MIDDLE of the year. And as we have previously mentioned, no one likes the middle.

But, middles matter.

Because as James Patterson says, "The middle is where good separates from great and the Pulitzers and Nobels are earned."

In writing and teaching, the middle is where the bulk of the work is done, and progress is made. October is when the trophies are handed out, but September is when success is forged. April is when the festival is held, but February is when it is earned. The middle matters. It might not involve standing ovations or the excitement of starting something new. But it matters, for you and your students.

In literature and life, the middle is where the plot thickens, the character develops, and the stage is set. It's where you meet new people and learn new things. It's where you build relationships and develop feelings. It's where you choose your side, build your alliance, and forge your bonds.

Yes, people remember the first and last page, but the middle is what makes it all possible. So, let us stop, embrace, and celebrate the middle for its middleness! 

As the school year and this winter drag on, to help your students identify and own their middleness, perhaps you might take a few minutes and chat with them. You might even share this blog and have a group discussion. To make your point more memorable, you could pretend that we're not in the "middle" of winter, put a sun lamp in your room, and wear zinc oxide on your nose. Have your student leaders plan a "beach day" or Hawaiian-themed rehearsal, or any other crazy idea that pops into your head. Just do something that acknowledges and celebrates where we are: the middle. And that's a good place to be.

As my BFF/writing twin/pen-pal JP reminds us, the middle is where good is separated from great, because the middle is where books, music, and people get better.

Have a great week. 

Scott





Scoring Goals, Taking Out the Trash, and Other World Cup Rituals

As I write this article, we are about two hours from the start of the World Cup match between the United States and Iran.

(Spoiler alert - USA dominated and won 1-0)

Now, I like me some soccer, and I played all through my childhood and into high school. And I LOVE me some Ted Lasso, so it's a safe bet that I will have one eye on the T.V. during and after the match.

After you say? Why, yes.

Because the fans of the Japanese World Cup team have started a post-game celebration that is catching on. One of cleaning.

Japanese fans went viral for cleaning up after a World Cup victory. Fans from other countries are following their example.

In an article in the New York Times, Andrew Keh noted that, "After the final whistle blew on Sunday afternoon, the Japanese fans who had just spent hours bouncing under a blistering midday sun allowed themselves a moment to wallow in the disappointment of their team's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica."

But the moment quickly passed, and out came the blue trash bags as a group of Japanese spectators, who only moments earlier had been deliriously singing for their team, began meticulously cleaning the stands at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, picking up trash scattered across the rows of seats around them."

It hardly mattered what it was — and they didn't just pick up their trash; they picked up refuse left by others. "It's a sign of respect for a place, said Eiji Hattori, 32, a fan from Tokyo, who had a bag of bottles, ticket stubs, and other stadium detritus. This place is not ours, so we should clean up if we use it. And, even if it is not our garbage, it's still dirty, so we should clean it up."

Videos and pictures of the Japanese cleaning sessions have gone viral on social media. But it's not just fans sharing them. Last week, FIFA posted a picture of the Japanese team's locker room after its enormous upset victory over Germany. The room was — you guessed it — spotless. 

"For Japanese people, this is just a normal thing to do," said Hajime Moriyasu, the coach of the Japanese team. "When you leave a place, you have to leave it cleaner than it was before." 

This post-game cleansing ritual has caught on with other fans, including the U.S., where sports are just as revered, but cleanliness is not.

Recently, as a part of a father/son tradition, my son and I went to see the Buffalo Bills play (we went to the game relocated to Detroit by an epic snowstorm).

At the end of the game, the place was a huge mess. I started to gather not just our trash, but as much around us as I could hold. My son asked, "Why are you grabbing other people's trash? They have people who clean the stadium." 

I responded, "We don't expect others to clean up after us." 

He began gathering as much trash as he could hold, and we climbed a gazillion steps to the nearest refuse bin, where we unloaded our bounty. 

This was not a huge decision or a moment of consciousness. This was not an empty gesture or teaching moment for my son. This was just a habit.

Where did I learn this ritual and develop this habit? Not from my parents (although I am sure that my parents reminded me to pick up after myself often), the lesson took hold as a music student and teacher.

Honestly, my earliest memory of this behavior was from a Dr. Tim seminar. Now I can't walk by a piece of trash or an unflushed toilet and not pick it up and flush it. I know I am not alone in this. regardless where you first heard it, we have ALL heard (and said) it.

Always leave the place cleaner than you found it.

This is among the many universal cries of all music teachers. After rehearsal, on the field, in a bus, and on stage, you always hear the same refrain, "Everybody grab something, and leave the place cleaner than you found it."

This is one of the many non-musical characteristics your students learn from you every day. Show up on time, be respectful, kind, and tolerant. Putting others before yourself, working hard, and striving for excellence are just a few of the many everyday life lessons taught in music rooms on a daily basis. These lessons not only make for a better musical ensemble, they also make for a better person.

I am not surprised the act of decency displayed by the Japanese team and their fans; it's classy and elegant. Nor am I surprised by the snowball effect, however small, it's having.

I am just surprised it took them this long to learn it. Music teachers have been singing that song for decades.

Have a great week everyone.

Scott 

BUGGING OUT 

When I was a kid, summer road trips were a thing. Long hours in the back of a van or station wagon, without air-conditioning (or seatbelts, for that matter), were the norm. These trips were a ritual and a rite of passage. 

While on the trip, we all had our jobs. My mom would plan and pack, and my dad would drive. My brothers and I? Our job was to fight, and we were all very good at our jobs. 

But there was one job no one wanted: cleaning the windshield when we stopped for gas. It was gross! Scraping tons of crunchy, bloody bugs off the windshield was no one's idea of a good time.

Like many of you, I am recreating these same experiences with my family. One generation later, the similarities are remarkable. Mom packs and plans, dad drives, and the kids fight. The one notable difference? No bugs.

As a child, our windshield was covered with splattered bugs, but I don't see them anymore. 

According to a recent study, from 1996 to 2017, insect splatters fell by 80 percent on shorter routes and a stunning 97 percent on longer ones.

Anders Pape Moller, a Danish biologist, was the first scientist to note the phenomenon. (I could cite the study, but would you really want to read it?)

Every summer, he and his assistants return to Denmark to drive battered budget vehicles back and forth along the same rural routes in the north of Denmark's Jutland peninsula. And with regularity, he would find fewer and fewer hitchhikers stuck to his windshield.

But why?

I honestly don't care. But, apparently, I should.

Is it the insect decline? Is it part of global warming? Have more aerodynamic designs of cars decreased the splats? Are insects commuting on side roads or catching an Uber? 

The article points out that bugs are necessary to our world and appear to be a finite and endangered resource. Their absence, for whatever reason, is a harbinger of things to come.

This got me thinking. (Don't ask me why?) Are music kids like mosquitoes? Are they an essential but undervalued part of our educational ecosystem? Are they dwindling? And, if so, is that cause for future concern?

Like their flying friends, I don't know the cause(s), but I know it's happening. But, it shouldn't.

  • America's population is increasing.

  • The number of schools and enrollment are at an all-time high.

  • Access to affordable (but not necessarily good) instruments has never been easier.

  • Teachers have never been more aggressive in recruiting.

So why?

  • Is it pandemic related?

  • Is social media impacting things?

  • How much is related to increased graduation/college acceptance requirements?

  • How much of it is related to scheduling and parental pressures?

  • Every music educator is asking the same questions and wants the same answers.

Every music educator is asking the same questions and wants the same answers.

But, for a moment, let's forget the lack of splat and focus on the more pressing question: is this indicative of a more significant and looming problem?

Is there a causational or correlational relationship between music enrollment and school success? Is the health of a school music program indicative of school health?

I believe so.

In recent articles, I have shared that if we are to fix what is wrong and broken in our schools, perhaps we should start with what is right and working: MUSIC!

What do you think? Is there a relationship between the two (music and school health)? And (if applicable), is declining enrollment a signal of dark clouds on the horizon?

I have a bit more to share on this; just not quite there yet.

What Can Brown Do for You?

I am a fanboy. Both of my boys are fanboys as well. You could call us a fanfamily. Except for my wife, she's not a fangirl and is more of a fan hater. To be clear, we're not just fly-by-night fair-weather fans. WE ARE ALL IN and have been for years. We are charter members of the fan club. Or, as I like to call myself, a "FAN-O-NEERS." 

Even Riley, our Golden Retriever, is a fan. But, fan of what? 

FANS, of course!

I am not talking about a band, tv show, or movie, although we have our favorites. I am talking about a true fan. You know, the thing that oscillates and moves air. A fan!

I have been working, watching, and sleeping with a fan since childhood. Ceiling fan, personal fan, desktop fan? YES! I love them all. As I mentioned, my wife does not share my passion for all things fan-related. Shortly after we were married, I overheard my wife telling a friend that it was like living in a perpetual windstorm.

I told her it was like living in a hurricane, a hurricane of AWESOMENESS.

I need my fan. 

It's not the cool breeze I crave, although I like it. Nor is it the ability to snuggle under a blanket, even on summer nights in Arizona. It's the NOISE. I NEED the noise. It distracts me and helps me to relax and shut my brain down. Something with which I struggle.

What's ironic is that I can't sleep any other noise, and I am easily distracted by sounds. The TV, radio, leaf blowers, and car horns are all sounds that make my mind race and keep me awake. But not the fan. I don't just tolerate the fan; I require it to sleep.

It turns out that the fan is not just for sleep anymore.

I recently stumbled upon a New York Times article about Brown noise. What is Brown noise? The article described it as "something akin to wind, heavy rain, or the steady hum of an airline jet. It sounds like water rushing somewhere in the distance, like a gentle fan ruffling cool air currents. It's soothing, steady, slightly rumbly."

You had me at gentle fan.

The article also stated that people exposed to Brown noise reported that it helped them "feel calm, and freed from an internal monologue that allowed them to relax, and focus for longer periods of time."

You had me at focus.

Brown noise's name comes from Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, who discovered "Brownian motion" — the unexpected way pollen grains "dance" under a microscope.

So, I have been trying it. It's simple, I open a browser and choose any number of YouTubevideos with eight-hour-long audio tracks, set the computer volume low, and get to work. As a testament to its efficacy, there are dozens of "Brown Noise" playlists on both Spotify and Apple iTunes.

There are other noises besides Brown, such as white (louder and lower), and pink (more fizzle, more frequencies), but Brown (all frequencies, less high, lower) is my jam.

Maybe I like Brown noise because it's the closest noise to music (Pyramid of Sound). It may be because I found it first. But, I do think it helps. I keep the tab open on my computer, hit play in the morning, and forget it's there while I work. I never really notice how loud I have it unless I am on a conference call and someone asks, "What's that noise?" 

The idea of Brown noise is that it utilizes all frequencies, which overwhelms your brain, and forces it to shut down. I like to think of it as nature's noise-canceling headphones.

The idea that sound can alter your mood or cognitive function is not a new concept and should come as a surprise to no one. For hundreds of years, sounds have been associated with altered states of mind and mood. What's new? Our understanding of the impact that specific sounds/frequencies have on cognitive function and focus.

Does it work? I'm not sure, but I like the idea of a calmer and more focused Scott. So I keep using it.

You may not be a fan person. You may even find background noises annoying and distracting. But consider this:

Your job is chaotic, and you work in a world filled with sensory overload. You are professionally trained to dissect, analyze, and create sound. And, when you think about it, sounds are likely the source of your greatest frustrations and fondest memories every day. So, sound could be a way to detach from it as well.

Whether you want to dive in, or unwind, see what Brown can do for you! After all, you deserve the break! You can start with my personal favorite here. 

Have a great week!

-Scott



Halloween and my 364 Days with Imposter Syndrome

Please read the post-scripts and watch the video until the end. I promise it will be the best part of your day, and will remind you of the impact of this incredible activity.

As I write this, my youngest son is excitedly preparing for Halloween. I don't really know what his costume is; but I think it related to a knight. What I do know is that he has wrangled Riley, our two-year-old Golden Retriever into being an accomplice and dressing up as a dragon. We tried the costume on her the night before, and it was evident that she was NOT happy about the situation.

Me? I like dressing up. Always have.

My wife is in charge of costuming, and she is good at it. This year we are partnering with our friends and neighbors to be the characters from the iconic 80's film The Breakfast Club. She even made student IDs for us (to the right). As you can imagine, I am Brian Johnson, (the geeky character played by Anthony Michael Hall). When she asked what character I wanted to be, I told her that I see myself as more of a John Bender (a moody, broody anti-authority figure played by Judd Nelson). She just laughed. But, she's wrong!

I can totally see myself in the iconic closing scene, slowly walking off the football field as the sun sets with my fist pumped in the air! You see it too, right?

My wife says it is a bit of a stretch. I tell her that's what Halloween is—being something you're not, but are secretly (or not so secretly) wanting to be. Today, it's called Halloween. The other 364 days it's called Imposter Syndrome. According to Web MD:

Impostor Syndrome is, "someone who feels they aren't as capable as others think and fears they'll be exposed as a fraud." 

It is more common than you think, especially in the world of work. Honestly, I have felt like an imposter most of my adult / work life. Let me explain.

  • As a teacher, I was terrified that my students would discover that I was faking it and didn't know as much as I pretended to.

  • As the program grew and found (considerable) success, I was scared my colleagues would see that it was all luck.

  • As an administrator, I was sure the teachers knew I was making it up every day and flying by the seat of my pants.

  • As a leadership speaker, I run from plane to plane, city to city, where people's opinions never catch up to me.

  • As the founder of Be Part of the Music, I sat across from C-Suite execs asking for their support, praying they wouldn't see me as the business neophyte I was.

  • As a write this (and every other e-zine), I worry that you are on the other end, rolling your eyes, laughing a sardonic laugh, and thinking, "This guy's a joke!"

I could go on, but you get the idea.

So yeah, you could say I have a bit of a condition. Heck, I am the model for Imposters Syndrome.

I have always felt like a bit of a fraud.
Am I the only one who suffers from this?

Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever worry that your seemingly unnoticed ineptitude will be exposed? Are you waiting for the world to discover what you already know to be true - that you are a fraud?

I genuinely hope so.

In an article in Active Beat, author Jay Hayward explains the phenomenon in a little more detail: "Those who have achieved some level of success are the most vulnerable to this phenomenon. They believe they have somehow cheated their way onto the podium, and at any minute, the floor will open up below them. Basically, they don't feel like they deserve their success."

As I said, I HOPE you feel that way. Why? Re-read the last sentence. It ends with "their success."

You can only have imposter syndrome with success; they go hand in hand, and one is required for the other to exist. Think about it: you would not suffer from imposter syndrome if you lived in your parents' basement, ate cold Spaghettios, and binge-watched Moonshiners. (That was oddly specific and definitely NOT true of me. Ok, but only parts).

If you feel like an imposter, it means you did your job and did it well. You chased success and caught it. You interviewed and beat everyone else out for the role. You taught your students at a high level and developed the program in a noteworthy way. You were reviewed, adjudicated, and determined to have done outstanding work that somehow exceeds expectations. You are a GREAT teacher!

Even if you don't feel like one. 

This job is hard. You are an island unto yourself and are likely doing it alone. You are on display and judged and graded (literally) in front of your students, parents, and administration. The compliments are few and far between, and parents can be just as much a friends as they are a foes. You are a teacher, writer, public speaker, accountant, bus driver, creative designer, and custodian. You are many things and, in some cases, YOU ARE EVERYTHING. 

Well, everything BUT an imposter! You're too good for that. And you realize that feeling bad just means you are doing good.

Have a great week. 

Scott







p.s. THIS GUY! On Saturday night, I received a text and a video clip from a client. They had no idea that I know, respect, and adore this man, they just wanted to send me something that inspired them, and despite being seven states away, thought I might feel the same way. They were correct.

Adam Mewhorter is the Director of Bands at South Moore High School, just outside Oklahoma City. You may remember him from our efforts to raise money for him after a devastating category-five tornado tore through his community. You may also have seen the school yearbook picture he took in a band uniform. But, THIS is next level - and it makes me proud to call him a Patron, colleague, and, most importantly, a friend. Way to go, Adam! Click on the video and watch until the end.

SEE ADAM'S PHOTO

SEND ADAM A NOTE

p.p.s. This is the free edition of the e-zine for November. November is a content-filled month for Patrons. In addition to the weekly blogs, I am doing a live webinar on rethinking your career, weekly Student Leader Newsletters, and an upcoming gratitude activity for Thanksgiving. 

I sincerely hope you like this content and will consider becoming a Patron - even if I feel like an imposter when I write it. :) 






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Are we teaching music right?

Hey ~Contact.FirstName~,

You probably already noticed that this is different from your regular newsletter. No clever title (I am clever, right?) or pretty graphics. This is not a blog or an opinion piece, it is more of a conversation, so I am treating it like one.

I have been contemplating this for a while now, and forthcoming data from The State of Music Education Survey has only confirmed my suspicions. Let me start with a few questions.

Is there a correct way to start kids in music?

Specifically, is there a correct age, class frequency, number of instructional minutes, or order of operations?

I am not talking about scope and sequence, for which some commonly accepted norms exist; I am talking about the structure of music education.

Let me backpedal a bit and tell you where and how this started.

My boys attend schools in the second-largest district in Arizona. While situated in a state that notoriously underfunds schools, these schools are well-funded, have resources, and are successful in every endeavor: athletic, academic, and activities. That is, except for music.

We moved to our current house partly because of the schools and district. I was even more overjoyed when I learned that the district required music (band/orchestra/choir) for EVERY fifth and sixth grader. HOW AWESOME IS THAT? I was elated.

Years later, my son started the band as a fifth grader, and his teacher was fantastic. We had two wonderful years, but as he moved into junior high school, virtually all of his friends and classmates chose not to continue. Despite having 1300 students, only about 85 kids enrolled in the 7th and 8th grade bands. The program had only enough classes/students to be a part-time teaching position. To make things worse, the junior high had block scheduling for the electives. Music classes met every other day, losing approximately 50% of the instructional minutes students should have received.

As my son moved to high school, he moved from trombone to front ensemble. My wife protested vigorously, but I consented. When she asked why? I told her, "Because he is bad at the trombone."   

She was miffed, but I was right.

It got me thinking. How can a kid who has played classical piano since kindergarten, with a band director father, and be in the band for four years be so bad at the trombone? Additionally, how does a school district that requires music for every child have such small participation in secondary music at every school? (My son's high school band currently has 40 plus in the band in a school of over 4,000 students.)

My conclusion? They're teaching music wrong.

It's not the teacher's fault. My kids have some fantastic teachers who are trapped in a flawed system.

Let me explain.

  • The district is rare because it uses a junior high model, K-6, 7-8, 9-12.

  • Music is required for 5th and 6th graders (for a grade-level prep).

  • This model means they receive about 50% fewer instructional minutes than if they were to start in middle school (6th grade) and meet five days a week.

  • Over the two years, they will have missed 180 days of music instruction that they would have received had the district been on a middle school model.

  • Now add teacher sick days, student sick days, and the retention skills of a 5th grader, and you can see where instructional consistency is problematic.

So, when it came time to choose a junior high school elective, most of his friends and parents said, "He tried it, didn't feel that he was any good, so he is going to try something else."

I tried to explain that no one is good at an instrument after just two years and that, according to minutes in a class, they had received only one semester of instruction in those two years due to the schedule. But they had made their decision. Those kids were lost to music forever because of a flawed system.

My school district teaches music wrong. The data is all there, anecdotal and empirical. I can count instructional minutes, measure attrition rates, track contest scores, and compare them with surrounding districts. The data points lead to the same inescapable conclusion: they are teaching music wrong. I wonder, do they know they are wrong? And if they do, do they care?

If they were teaching math wrong, I bet people would care. If we only taught English every 2.5 days, I am pretty sure administrator phones would be ringing. If science was used as a placeholder so that grade-level teachers could have a common prep, I am pretty sure the Superintendent would hear about it, and there would be packed Board meetings.

Teach music wrong. "Oh well."

So, I attend my boys' concerts (band and choir), marvel at the job their teachers are doing, and wonder what these music programs could and would be if they taught music right. 

Looking at it from another angle. If I were to move to a suburb in Texas, both of my boys would likely transition with little adversity or impact. They would be at or above grade level in most curricula, except for music, where they would be two or more grades behind. Because of where I live, my boys received 50% less instructional time, with no access to in-class lessons, from a teacher who does not specialize on their instrument, and has no assistant to help them. 

In music, we talk about instructional strategies and best practices. We have learning objectives and agreed-upon national standards. But we might be teaching music incorrectly for almost 40% of this country. 

Again, my son's music teachers are outstanding in every way. As good as anywhere in the country. This is not a criticism of them, but more a question of... 

Is there a right way to teach music? And if so, why don't we talk about it more? 

Have a great week.

Scott

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