Tag Archives: practice

The Sweetest Notes

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Education, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

September 26, 2023- Seven groups of students, some duos, trios and quartets, cheerfully performed what they knew, of the beginning chords to “Good King Wenceslaus” (It’s not too soon to start practicing!), “Mary Had A Little Lamb”, “Seven Nation Army”, “Toboggan Run” and “Two Bach Psalms”; even “Happy Birthday” had its opening notes offered by a soloist.

I am one of those advocates who hold that there is no bad music, painting, pottery or poetry-when offered by a child. Other adults, whose only frame of reference is their own grown-up experience, may beg to differ-or say that not criticizing mistakes is a form of enabling. Rubbish! A person learns by doing, especially in the arts.

This was one of the most enjoyable school days I’ve had in some time, which is saying a lot. We were given a work packet, on musical math, but that took scant time to complete. Then, it was time to go forward and practice-the one thing that builds strength in artistry. Being one who, to this day, is illiterate musically, I will do all I can to encourage young people to learn to read music-and stretch their skills in its expression.

I look forward to attending their Christmas concert-and its Spring equivalent.

Lessons from Little League

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Posted by on in children, Personal Values, Social

April 10, 2017, Prescott- 

One of my students asked me to attend his Little League team’s game, this evening.  Having no appointments or meetings, I eagerly headed over to Roughrider Park, the Prescott League’s primary venue.   It was carved from Fort Whipple, many years ago, along with Prescott VA Hospital and Yavapai College.

Team sports teach children several skills.  Some are obvious, like looking out for one’s teammates, decency towards one’s opponents, the value of practice and accepting constructive criticism.  Other lessons, such as everyone has something to contribute and there is no task too menial for a team member to perform, are less front and center- and sometimes must be sought out.

It’s been several years since I watched 8-10 year-old children in the course of learning these types of lessons, in an athletic setting.  Some things have changed:  Adults are not necessarily the only umpires.  Men are not necessarily the only coaches and managers.  The opposing team was managed by a woman.  Each team had at least one girl player, and each girl held her own.  Proves what I have felt to be true, since junior high school:  Skill is skill.

The basics, though, remain constant, and baseball will remain a key pastime of youth, for a good many generations to come.