Lesson Plan

In the last week or so, I’ve encountered two “music stories” in The New York Times and Bangkok Post, one of which filled me with hope and the other with dread.

I know you’re busy, so here is a short summary. Dig deeper if you are interested.

The Dread: Women are prohibited from ceremonial drumming in Burundi. What a disgrace for a country to treat music and women with such disrespect in the 21st century.

The Hope: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Two Thai teen sisters know the answer. The support these young women receive, from parents, schools, etc., is exemplary. If only this story could be replicated hundreds or thousands of times across the Land of Smiles.

Short [but powerful] lessons to be learned by reading each article.

Published by billpaige

Interested parties are first directed to my memoir, “Everything I Know I Learned From Rock Stars” (Eckhartz Press). While I have taken music therapy classes and read extensively about music’s effect on the brain, I am NOT professionally trained -- just a music lover who recognizes that everyone benefits from music. Giving that gift to special needs youth is highly rewarding, but again, my process is intuitive, not academic. I draw largely on personal experience. I’ve spent most of my 67 years observing a wide world of music, from working as a music critic professionally for 20 years, and holding positions in music companies in the 1970s and 1990s. Since 1990, however, I have focused on learning more about music and improving as a singer, guitarist, and performer, both solo and in ensemble settings.

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