On our trip to Plymouth, MA, we attended a stunning performance of The Wizard of Oz at this very charming theater. Also, the rainstorm had just ended when we arrived, and a rainbow then appeared over us. How apropos!
Eric Zanconato
@ericzanconato.bsky.social
Proud dad of two boys, educator, keyboardist, drummer, music theory tutor, voracious reader, book club member, kayaker, hiker, cyclist, runner (when it doesn’t hurt my poor knees!), walker, beach lover, liberal, NPR listener, and proud New Englander.
I just watched a segment on the news this morning about school security drones to combat shooters with pepper spray. I verified it on Google. It looks good in theory, but I can only imagine the cute techie students hacking them and spraying the class for “fun.” www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Several US schools to install pepper-spraying drones to respond to school shootings
Company supplying drones said Ukraine-war inspired effort, where technique was effective in face of Russian attack
theguardian.com
That’s smoke, not clouds. Still think that climate change is a hoax? This is the Berkshire’s of Western MA from just a few minutes ago. I stepped outside, and it smelled like a big camp fire. The air quality index is 158, a dangerous level.
To say this is surreal is an understatement; furthermore, ignoring the effects of climate change got us here. I wish we lived in a nation that was helping our own people and neighbors. Instead, our money is going to shooting immigrants and starting wars. Thinking of you, my neighbors to the north. ❤️
Luke LeBrun@lukelebrun.ca · 3w agoThese images of First Nations community members evacuating Collins, Ontario on motorboats are absolutely surreal www.facebook.com/reel/1548244...
My 12 yo son got braces today, and he was a trooper. I’m also impressed with how responsible he is about caring for his teeth, as it’s a whole different ballgame with braces. And, thank goodness that MA offers generous dental plans through its connector; his plan helped a lot with the high cost.
Fellow musicians who majored in music, as I did— is it because of music that you were equipped with the drive and discipline to become great at whatever you ended up doing for a living? Granted most of still play, not all of us made a living in music, but we’re better off for having majored in it.
Kristin Kuster@kristinkuster.bsky.social · 4w agoFFS. “Some of the US’s most prestigious music programs are among the 14% of bachelor music programs predicted to fail the new earnings test, according to Education Department data—The Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, & Indiana University Bloomington's Jacobs School of Music.”
Keep in mind that Team USA Women’s Soccer has brought back four titles to date to the men’s zero championships. Let’s show appreciation for our women; no matter the job, they get it done! ⚽️
On Friday, I joined my friend’s book club, and we meet at her cafe on Tuesday night at 6:00. We are reading “The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick. It’s nearly 400 pages, but I have it on Audible for my car rides, too. I can barely put this book down! Every man should read this!
Off to the round of 16; what an absolute thriller of a game!!! See you Monday night! ⚽️
If you’re a teacher today, I highly suggest that you watch this entire video. I student-taught third grade last fall, and this is what happens when education shifts to analytics and high-stakes testing and away from accountability and respect in the classroom. EYE-OPENING! youtu.be/JtO-BxAT3zA?...
This goes so much deeper than Gen Alpha can’t read...
YouTube video by Ashley Embers
youtu.be
My dad and I have been working on this project little by little over the years. I’m confident to say that it has fully come to completion. It is also quite fitting that it is right in time for Father’s Day and my birthday, both of which are tomorrow. Have a great weekend, everyone!
My son’s official last day of sixth grade was today, capped off with a sneak preview of Toy Story 5; coincidentally, he will begin to delve into jazz clarinet, beginning with Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend In Me,” with my piano accompaniment. The recital will be mid August and posted here. 🎼
What a nearly perfect FIFA World Cup game tonight; that was truly the best soccer game I’ve seen yet! Onward! USA! 🇺🇸 ⚽️
This week, my son will begin to explore jazz and pop music on his clarinet, beginning with initial preparations of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.” He will perform the vocal part on clarinet while I perform the piano part. We’re hoping to post our performance by mid July!
Yesterday, my son had to get pulled from his clarinet recital. He had another headache that reached down into his jaw area. It’s believed to be a 12-year molar, so we’re off to the dentist this morning to get relief. His accompanist invited him to perform this Sunday at another recital. So grateful!
My 12 yo son had his final practice session today with his piano accompanist in preparation for his spring clarinet recital this Sunday. This will be the first piece he will have played that spans all three registers of the clarinet. His rhythm, pitch, and intonation were near perfection. Proud dad!
Good news, the audio version of Neurodiversity: A Very Short Introduction is out now on Audible, Spotify, etc.! I also have three codes for free Spotify copies, so we can do a competition. Just share and like this and I'll pick three people at random to get the codes this weekend.
It’ll be a busy upcoming week next week. I will be supervising the drum line for my son’s school marching band in the Memorial Day parade and helping him prepare for a major clarinet recital next weekend. Game on!
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day! Without many of my past teachers, most notably my public school music teachers, I would’ve slipped through the cracks and achieved nothing in life. A teacher can and often does change the world for every student’s life they touch. We love and support you! 👩🏫🧑🏫
“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” It’s cool to be kind, everyone. No exceptions! ❤️
Simply because, we all know someone who deserves this in an email!
Denice (Dee), the Red Witch@deetheredwitch.bsky.social · 3mo agoGood Morning, World.
My eldest son finished theater camp today, which culminated in a musical performed this afternoon, one that he and his fellow students co-wrote and -produced in less than a week! Lifelong friendships were forged, and these students will also reconvene this August for another round over two weeks!
Last night, I was mesmerized by my son’s technical proficiency on his clarinet repertoire for his upcoming recital. The growth he’s shown in a little under two years is absolutely stunning.
So, when the right can’t ban the books, they’ll “ban” the librarians? Is this a new nadir? Yes, indeed.
JoeMyGod@joemygod.bsky.social · 4mo ago