Boonshaft’s Blog
#259. Really?
I had a dream the other night that we, as music teachers, were completely insulated from budget reductions, and staff and program cuts. In short, we had it made, never to worry...
#258. Elephants?
If your young students are anything like mine were, getting them to understand the concept of first and second endings created a challenge, to say the least. Let’s face it, it is...
#257. Why?
The astounding author Mark Twain said that “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Each of us experienced those...
#256. “Every day…”
On Tuesday, December 16, 2014, a contestant by the name of Alysha Rooks on the TV game show Jeopardy offered words that are at once stunningly true and remarkably empowering....
#255. “The Thing That Happens…”
For many of us, we recently started a new school year. A new start full of promise. It represents a clean slate for us to write a new story. It is a time of renewal, reflection,...
#254. Spock Understood
The renowned actor Leonard Nimoy is best known for playing the Star Trek character Spock on television and in movies. The thoughtful, half-human, half-Vulcan Science Officer...
#253. A Joy To Read
I was recently asked to rattle off a list of some of my favorite books about education. Toward the top of my list, I mentioned “Teacher & Child” by Dr. Haim G. Ginott...
#252. How Many Times?
Some years ago, while attending a holiday party, I had a conversation with a gentleman who worked in advertising. It was fascinating. The most interesting thing to me was hearing...
#251. Confirmation Bias
One of my greatest worries when rehearsing an ensemble is whether I am hearing reality, or hearing what I want to hear. It is an extremely common problem we should all guard...