Sunday, May 19, 2013

Evolution of Music



Ok, I am a former music teacher, so maybe this speaks to me more than most.  But, that was an amazing 4 minutes by an incredibly talented group.  It would be very difficult indeed to take “music” and smash it into 4 minutes.  They literally left out millions of songs and probably 10’s of thousands of music that could be considered “revolutionary.”  They had an impossible task it seems, but they did it in a way that seemed fun and built anticipation. 

What I think makes this video “mush worthy” is basically two things.  #1.  It shows the evolution from style to style to style without as much “clash” as you would expect.  “Pachelbel’s canon” to the 1960’s to “I Kissed a Girl” seemed almost like it was supposed to be that way.  Like the “new” was just an extension or part of the “old.”  I think that it is.  How many times in education have we heard “just wait around a few years and it will be back again.”  We see similar trends, methods, or strategies with a new “twist” or flair.  But, I would argue that “flair” is what makes them better.    If we only did things the “old way” we would only get the “old results.”  But, if we don’t change everything, and just add that twist, we get something new and unique.  We can blend the new with the old.  I think you see the obvious path for us as educators.  You don’t have to “write a whole new song,” but you do need to “learn to fit new things/elements into what has been working.”

#2 It shows the power of teamwork.  Each of those 5 people is very different in looks, personality, and sound.  Very unique talents that are vastly displayed in that 4 minutes.  If you asked the guy in the top left to switch with the guy in the bottom left, it would have all fallen apart.  It wouldn’t work.  They each had to use their talent/gift in a way that was supported by the others.  They each knew what each person could and could not do.  They built their 4 minutes on those very things.  Do you do that as a team?  Do you build your team/grade level/content area by supporting one another’s strengths and weaknesses? 

You guys are all amazingly talented.  I am lucky to work with you, and I know it isn’t always easy to do what we do.  But, there is something pretty amazing when we work together and enjoy using our strengths.  Continue pushing towards that last day…we aren’t there yet, but we are close!

Happy Monday!

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