by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 31, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
Though we all know the incredible value of doing warm-up and ensemble development exercises with our ensembles, when I ask teachers why they don’t spend more time doing them, the answer is most often one word: percussion. The recurring question is, “What do I do with...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 24, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
Some years ago, I noticed that I had developed a bad habit on the podium. I was using the word “okay” all the time. It drove me nuts. I’m guessing it drove my students nuts too. I just couldn’t stop myself. I tried putting sticky notes on my...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 17, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
So often, I walk into band rooms and see vast numbers of necks wrenching to see the conductor. Those poor students all trying to get a glimpse of their teacher by slumping, turning, twisting, bending, and contorting their heads, necks, and bodies in an effort to watch...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 10, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
My last blog referenced basketball superstar Stephen Curry. And though I have the athletic prowess of a houseplant, watching what this phenomenal player can do is like watching the laws of science being suspended before your very eyes. What he can do defies...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 3, 2023 | Boonshaft's Blog
I recently heard an interview with basketball legend Stephen Curry. He described his less-than-stellar start as a player, reminding listeners that he had thirteen turnovers in his first college game. When asked how he went from those humble beginnings to a superstar...