http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html Betsy Stern Kids' Music: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:18:55 -0700 http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#39
At this time of year I often think of my godmother, a music teacher and classical harpist who attended Juilliard. We spent every Christmas Eve at her house, playing music of, course. She'd unwrap her amazing harp and play. It was unbelievable to hear and watch her because she was so tiny. She founded the music program at Berkeley High School, and supported so many musicians, some of whom went onto international careers in classical music. She supported me 100% in my music endeavors all the time I was growing up, and set me up to do solo gigs from about age 12. When I started orchestrating, around age 14 or so, she gave me Rimsky-Korsakov's book on orchestration. She sat with me while I wrote lines and she played back my work on her piano. She spent hours with me. She had no tolerance at all for attitude among professional musicians and was known in her classroom to throw dusty chalkboard erasers at the backs of visiting professional musicians who showed arrogance around her students. She had a twinkle in her eye and an Irish sense of humor, and she was mischievous and marvelous. One day, while still a child, I commented to her, "Music is for everybody." She had a rubber stamp made for me, with the phrase imprinted on it." I still have the stamp.

I think also of another of my teachers, from kindergarten, who was an outstanding educator and kept a watchful eye on those of us she'd taught by continuing to invest in our futures by following our interests and always helping us to pursue them. At Christmas she organized the neighborhood caroling. It doesn't snow here, but I still remember having to wrap up a lot before heading out and singing our hearts out. When I was about 15 she had me come into several classrooms to teach music, while she oversaw me as the master teacher. It was an incredible experience.

I watch the grown-ups who help make all my work possible, watch them work so hard and with such dedication, and often with little recognition. They deserve so much, all of them. Raising and educating children in these times is really tough. It’s tough because of the economy, cutbacks, people being really tired from having to work so hard, and values that often go against our investing in our kids. But we still do it. It takes all of us working together to pull it off, and I’m honored to be a part of the groups and families with which I work, and so lucky to have grown up with the support I had.

Oh, those beaming faces looking at us, laughing, dancing, and showing us that they’re really absorbing the arts. That’s what it’s all about. I thank everyone who is part of this journey, kids and adults.]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#39 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#38 http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#38 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#37
During the shows I read very, very short stories, in English, Spanish, and French, to help steer kids towards the joy of reading. I started reading to my kids when they were infants and they've grown up to be avid readers, so I'm continuing this tradition as it was passed onto me by my parents.

I love singing songs from around the world to honor the cultures from which the music comes. When there are grown-ups present who come from one of those cultures, it's wonderful to see them light up, as we are honoring them too.

The show at the Children's Museum at La Habra was about the Ring of Fire exhibit, so I took along some of my sister-in-law's beautiful bead work from Alaska. The kids got to smell the tanned caribou hide on my moccasins, and I played a traditional fiddle tune for them, as this is what is played in my sister-in-law's village.

I've written this before, and will do so again: to all of the grown-ups out there who are taking their kids to libraries, museums, music classes and events, and sharing the arts with your children -- and to those grown-ups who make these events possible -- I send my heartfelt thanks. It's a lot of work, but when we see the looks on those little faces when they discover something new and fun that provides a building block for their understanding of the world and ability to learn, it's so worth it. Thank you!!!]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#37 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#36
I am delighted to learn that I will be getting airplay through the radio program, "Pulse of the Planet," in Spain. Per their web site: "Pulse of the Planet is a world music radio show on Onda Cero International (OCI) in southern Spain that delivers a sound portrait of our world with the purpose of promoting unity while respecting diversity. Pulse of the Planet is pre-recorded and airs twice a week in English and once in Spanish, for an hour each broadcast." What a wonderful program!

April is packed with about 28 dates. I will be back at the Children's Museum at La Habra for two shows for their new exhibit, and will be doing two programs at the Monterey Library. Lots of fun events coming up.

I still think so often of my dad, and what he passed onto me that I can now pass on as well.]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#36 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#35
Today, as I walked for hours along the Seine, I saw wonderful prints of Babar at the booksellers' stalls. I read Babar, Madeleine, and other French stories over and over as a child and later read them to my own kids. I am bringing home some newer kids' material (thanks to my dear friend here, who worked for years as a teacher in early childhood education in France), which I'll be integrating soon into my programs.

Now, off for dinner...]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#35 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#34
After reviewing the scale today with some classes, I watched a little boy, about 2, reach for my hand bells and he started singing "Do Re Mi" on his own, pointing to each bell separately. I don't think that he can talk yet.

The kids at gigs are still dancing. We had very young ballroom dancers at a Jazz gig that I played over the weekend. Sometimes the girls also do ballet or what looks like Renaissance dancing at my kids' gigs. These children are amazing!

I've got my flight booked for the France trip and am over the moon: February”¦wintery, cold, and rainy, I know, but I can't wait to see my friends and Paris again.]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#34 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#31 http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#31 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#32
I've noticed in the past couple weeks that a lot of kids are starting to do ballroom dancing while I play. It's so funny, as these are young children, around 3-6 years old. I'm not sure where they're learning the dances from, but they seem to be having a great time.

I stayed in Anaheim, where I suspect that, no matter what, you'll end up at Disneyland if you walk. I did! I didn't have time to go in, but there sure were tons of families in the area. I awoke early at the hotel each day to the laughter of young children who were definitely very excited about their vacation destination.

As the economy puts people through the wringer, I'm so glad to be able to share music. These are times when community really matters, and music is one of many wonders that brings people together. I hope that, if you play it, you've got the time to do so on your own, with friends, or with bandmates - and that, if you are a music lover, you have time to listen to your favorite music. If you are into the other arts, likewise!]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#32 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#33
Meanwhile, I'm putting together a local show for tomorrow and then fly in and out Sunday to play a private event in LA. I have to say that hauling my gear all over keeps me strong, and presents amusing challenges because of my being 5' tall. So, if you ever see a whole lot of instruments and gear heading your way with no sign of a human, it's probably me (behind everything). It's quite a sight, and people do everything from nearly scream to offer to help. It all goes with the territory though”¦I could have played piccolo!]]> http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#33 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#30 http://betsysternkidsmusic.com/news.html#30 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Betsy Stern Kids' Music - Betsy Stern Kids' Music - News