A couple of weeks ago I was alerted to this fantastic Listen and Learn Music Blog that is run by Rachel Rambach, a board-certified music therapist specializing in work with children who are diagnosed with autism. Rachel has a whole collection of educational songs on topics ranging from colors to instruments to technology. Each of […]
Resource Reviews
Interview with Stephen Battaglia
Today I am pleased to welcome Stephen Battaglia, author of the Mr. McSymphony book series, to Music Matters Blog for an exclusive interview. Music Matters Blog (MMB): What is your musical/education background? Stephen Battaglia (SB): Piano lessons for six years and violin lessons for two years. I now play the harmonica, mostly in schools. MMB: […]
Review of Mr. McSymphony Book Series
Originally conceived as school presentations to expand students’ knowledge of music and increase their interest in musical development, the Mr. McSymphony series has been presented to over 25,000 children in over 16 elementary schools in California, Oregon and Washington. The books and teachers guides that are now available for purchase were written by Stephen Battaglia […]
Review of Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora, Vol. 3
I was thrilled when I received the announcement that this third volume of Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora is now available! I quickly made the arrangements to get a review copy and didn’t even care if I disliked every other song in the book, because I knew it had the one I’ve […]
Quotes from Music and Keyboard in the Classroom Teacher’s Manual
In the course of reading the Teacher’s Manual for my review of the Music and Keyboard in the Classroom curriculum, these are some quotes that I found particularly helpful and/or thought-provoking: “To further shape a music curriculum it is essential to know what we believe, as educators. Otherwise we will be irresolute in the delivery […]
Interview with Michael Griffin
Today I am pleased to welcome Michael Griffin, author of the Music and Keyboard in the Classroom curriculum, to Music Matters Blog for an exclusive interview. Music Matters Blog (MMB): What prompted you to write your own classroom curriculum for your music classes? Why did you choose to emphasize keyboard studies? Michael Griffin (MG): For […]
