What Music Means to Me

Sunday, Sep 20, 2009

Episode 38: So You Wanna Be a Music Major?

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Over the years many aspiring musicians, and their parents, have approached me with various questions pertaining to preparing to major in music in college. I encourage anyone considering such a career path to check out this episode, entitled "So You Wanna Be a Music Major." In less than 20 minutes I present and explain six important things you can do to prepare for a university course of study in music.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 5:36 PM | 3 comments

Friday, Aug 14, 2009

Episode 37 - More Music Lessons: 1) Everyone Matters, and 2) Making the Most of Your Time

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Music really has so much to offer even beyond the joy and satisfaction that comes from performing. In this episode, part of our continuing Music Lessons series, we take a look at two more important character lessons: #1 that EVERYONE matters, and #2 to make the MOST of your TIME.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 8:31 AM | MAKE A COMMENT

Tuesday, Jul 07, 2009

Episode 36: Bad Boys of Classical Music

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There are some very visible examples of classical musicians who get into some pretty silly situations in their personal life. In this episode of What Music Means to Me, which I’m calling “Bad Boys of Classical Music,” I’ve decided to focus on a couple infamous artist-musicians whose excellence in music doesn’t seem to carry over to their personal life. Listen in to hear the wild exploits of composers Carlo Gesualdo, Niccolo Paganini, Richard Wagner, Claude Debussy, and George Antheil. Perhaps there's even something we can learn from the conflicted yet remarkable lives of these diverse musical personalities!

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 5:12 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Friday, Jun 05, 2009

Episode 35: Everyday Wisdom for Inspired Teaching (Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser)

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Music education speaker and author, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, discusses themes that run through his work, including his most recent book, EVERYDAY WISDOM FOR INSPIRED TEACHING (GIA Publications). Topics touched upon in our June 2, 2009 interview include: traits of great teachers, what even our toughest students can teach us, the relationship of action to attitude, the danger of getting too caught up in our programs, the importance of content and context, and important lessons learned through participation in school music programs.

The next best thing to reading one of Dr. Tim's books or hearing him speak in person is to listen in on this informal, yet heartfelt, conversation with one of music education's most effective and encouraging advocates.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 6:57 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Episode 34: "Music Lessons" (Value of Things Bigger Than Yourself and Delayed Gratification)

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In episode 32 I began a continuing series called “Music Lessons,” in which I'll highlight some of the life-lessons you are bound to learn when you formally study music. In this episode, as we continue that series, we take a look at two more important character lessons music teaches us. One of these is the value of contributing your efforts to something bigger than yourself. The other “music lesson” involves the benefits of delayed gratification. Tune in and find out why music is particularly suited to delivering these lessons in a subtle yet compelling way.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 5:14 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Episode 33: "What Music Means to Me" Welcomes New Listeners!

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Recently, I’ve been hearing from newer listeners and subscribers to “What Music Means to Me”, which has prompted me to look back on why I started the podcast in the first place, and how it has developed thus far. Please join me as we look back and describe anew just what “What Music Means to Me” is.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 5:10 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Monday, Apr 20, 2009

Episode 32: "Music Lessons" (Tenacity and Diligence)

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In this episode of WMM2M we begin a new series called “Music Lessons.” Aside from the obvious benefits of music study (pleasure and intellectual enhancements) music additionally teaches valuable life lessons. Stick with studying an instrument and years later you will have learned far more than how to play some songs.
In the “Music Lessons” series I will share some of the lessons music has taught me which, looking back over the years, I appreciate so much. In this first installment of "Music Lessons," we look at two very closely-related traits that music teaches: The value of tenacity and diligence.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 7:15 PM | MAKE A COMMENT

Wednesday, Mar 18, 2009

Episode 31: Copyright or Copy Wrong, Part 2

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James Frankel is the author of THE TEACHER'S GUIDE TO MUSIC, MEDIA, AND COPYRIGHT LAW published by Hal Leonard Books (in association with the Technology Institute for Music Educators). In this episode, Part 2 of our conversation, Frankel discusses copyright issues related to recording, media on the Internet, and the ethical dilemmas before each of us working with students in this digital age.

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 8:26 PM | 2 comments

Friday, Feb 27, 2009

Episode 30: Copyright or Copy Wrong, Part 1

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Copyright - or, the right to copy - should concern anyone who listens to, performs, or creates music of any kind - especially in this digital age. In this episode, the first of a two-part series with Dr. James Frankel, we discuss Frankel's new book, THE TEACHER'S GUIDE TO MUSIC, MEDIA, AND COPYRIGHT LAW (Hal Leonard). In our conversation, we touch on topics including a relevant history of copyright, the concepts of "fair use" and "public domain," and a few scenarios that give life to the law. (This interview took place February 25, 2009.)

Posted by Dr. Scott Watson at 1:50 AM |

Sunday, Feb 01, 2009

Episode 29: Interview with Robert Sheldon, Part 2

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In this 2nd part of my conversation with noted composer, Robert Sheldon, we discuss more of his music for concert band, a little about his compositional work process, and his insightful outlook for the future of school band programs.