by Peter Boonshaft | Sep 18, 2019 | Boonshaft's Blog
It is the start of a new school year that is full of hopes and possibilities. As I think about it, I am reminded of a question my dear friend, the remarkable string pedagogue Bob Phillips asks each of us to ponder: “Do I want to teach for thirty years or teach the...
by Peter Boonshaft | May 29, 2019 | Boonshaft's Blog
Why do our students quit instrumental music? Well, we have all read studies that outline a vast number of causes, and I am sure they all contribute to the large number of students who leave our programs. But I believe when we drill deep enough into each case, and...
by Peter Boonshaft | May 23, 2019 | Boonshaft's Blog
At the start of your next class or rehearsal, simply write the following old Chinese proverb on the board: “Every truly great accomplishment is at first impossible.” Maybe one of the best things we can teach our students is that though learning can be a long,...
by Peter Boonshaft | May 16, 2019 | Boonshaft's Blog
We each strive to create an environment that is pleasant for our rehearsals. One that is safe and comfortable, where they sense those moments of success. A place where they are free to feel emotion or fail at a task without fear of ridicule, where students know they...
by Peter Boonshaft | May 9, 2019 | Boonshaft's Blog
I’m sure we have all heard the wonderful quote of Abraham Maslow: “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” How much more creative could our teaching be, how much more variety could we bring to our...