What got you hooked on music? Was it practicing scales in a practice room? If it was, you are a sick individual in need of professional help. It was performing music! Sadly, I don’t think our beginners perform enough. My hope is that as soon as beginners can play “Hot Cross Buns,” they are in front of people performing it. Whether it be in the school’s main office, the faculty room, or in the lobby before a PTA meeting, those receptive and supportive audience members will bring smiles of joy – and far more – that will last a lifetime.

Peter Loel Boonshaft, Director of Education
KHS America

About the Author

Dr. Boonshaft, Director of Education for KHS America, is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise. He was honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education.” Dr. Boonshaft was selected for the Center for Scholarly Research and Academic Excellence at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, where he is Professor Emeritus of Music.

RECENT BOONSHAFT'S BLOG POSTS

#303. Targeted Scatter

#303. Targeted Scatter

In my last blog, I wrote about the idea of using scatter seating in rehearsals. The virtues of this approach can’t be overstated. Another related idea is using what I call “targeted scattering.” So often I ask my alto saxes to sound like the horns when they are...

#302. Scatter

#302. Scatter

The next time you see your band, tell them that you are going to do a “scattered” rehearsal. Explain that they can sit anywhere in the room they want, as long as they are not in the same location, or next to the same people as usual. Preferably, they should not even...

#301. A Lesson Learned

#301. A Lesson Learned

One morning last year, while I was rehearsing an all-state band, we came to a measure in a march that had a giant crescendo to the final climatic strain. They played it fine. It wasn’t inspired. It didn’t give me goosebumps or make the hair on the back of my neck...