by Peter Boonshaft | Dec 5, 2016 | Boonshaft's Blog
As you walk into your classroom today, remember these words of Anatole France, “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” We can follow the advice of the remarkable sentiment: “To achieve all...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 28, 2016 | Boonshaft's Blog
When I start to feel the weight of all that we have to teach our students, and the tiny amount of time we have to do it in, my pace starts to get faster and faster. Often the casualty of that haste is my doing less review, practice and reinforcement, all in an effort...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 21, 2016 | Boonshaft's Blog
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...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 14, 2016 | Boonshaft's Blog
At a music education symposium last week, I was asked a question that really gave me pause. Actually, it stopped me dead in my tracks. Ready? Here it is: “Dr. Boonshaft, if you could change one thing about yourself as a teacher, what would it be?” See why I was...
by Peter Boonshaft | Nov 7, 2016 | Boonshaft's Blog
One of my favorite sayings is the wonderful African proverb that reminds us that “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago, the next best time is today.” I know of no better – or more true – advice. Peter Loel Boonshaft, Director of Education KHS...
by Peter Boonshaft | Oct 31, 2016 | Boonshaft's Blog
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...