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Music Education

Music Education

Music for Your Mind and Body

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on May 22, 2017 1

Music for Your Mind by Alex Paramo

Music for Your MindMusic, Literature, Art: we all know how wonderful the arts make our lives, the lives of our families, friends and community members.

Check out these amazing benefits music has on our health (found in an article by Jill Suttle at the Huffington Post,):

  • Music reduces stress/anxiety
  • Music decreases pain
  • Music improves immune functioning
  • Music Aids Memory
  • Music helps us exercise

Music also helps in brain as documented in this PBS article:

  • Increased IQ
  • Brain Works Harder
  • Spatial-Temporal Skills
  • Higher Test Scores

Cutting the Future

Music programs in our schools are being cut at a steady and scary pace. Unfortunately this trend does not show any sign of waning. I am confounded by the lack of foresight from our public administrators, leaders and decision-makers. If education of our children is the stated goal, why aren’t studies showing the incredible benefits of music education taken into greater consideration when decision about program cuts are being made? Could it be that our paradigms of education are outdated and obsolete?

Music Instruction is for Everyone

Investing in the FutureDuring these challenging times, parents often turn to outside arts education programs to augment their child’s education. Many of these programs are very expensive and out of the reach of working class folks The New Mexico Academy of Rock & Blues (NMARB) was founded on the principle that music (instruction) is for everyone. Under the direction of visionaries Keith and Ana Sanchez, they have assembled an all-star cast including singer-songwriter Keith Sanchez, percussionist Ragon Espinoza, Guitarist/Bassist Glenn Buddha Benavidez, Elizabeth Marie Berry, Vocals/Guitar/Ukulele, Brian Shonerd, Piano and a plethora of guest instructors. Fin;d more information about the NMARB here.

Investing in the Future

The NMARB provides lessons in not only instrument performance but also in songwriting, and poetry. Of course in our current economic reality programs of this nature are expensive to operate.

To ameliorate costs, the NMARB will be holding its annual fundraiser Saturday May 27 at Rio Bravo Brewery in Albuquerque New Mexico. On the bill include the Big Spank, Red Light Cameras, Keith Sanchez & the Moon Thieves and Le Chat Lunatique.

The event will also include live art and vendors! Please check out the event page and consider donating/investing in the future.

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Alex Paramo Community Publishing

Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo is a native New Yorker of Colombian descent. He is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. He currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. Read More about him here.

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our CP Logo Finalcommunities. We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market and the Monte Vista Fire Station. Need help with your web presence and social media marketing? Click here to find out how we can help you!

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Collection of Human Noise: Music is Boundless

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on December 17, 2015 Respond

Music is Boundless by Ana Romero Sanchez

Music is Boundless

It seems it should be a simple task to answer why music is so important, but it’s rare that we actually stop to think about how it really fills our lives. Since ancient times the sounds around which we’ve gathered in the name of community, spirituality, ritual, and celebration, is music. It is the evocation of emotion, power, and drama in many areas of life; triumphant or melancholic, music brings the world and human emotion to life in ways that no other human creation can.

 Plato said “ music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

Musical Inspiration

Music is BoundlessPowerful as it is, music is not esoteric but part of existence for the joy and inspiration of all. Large segments of our society are beginning to lose sight of the importance of music in every day life and instead relegating it to pop culture. Children, on the other hand, understand music instinctively. Whether it be a toddler moving his head in perfect rhythm, a young child beating on a makeshift drum, or a group of young people singing without fear of being heard, they possess a natural rhythm, a dance choreographed by the heart alone, that adults have difficulty recreating, but by which they are absolutely delighted.

A child’s channels of comprehension are untainted and wide open, and as they grow we slowly lead them to close these channels and instead utilize only those that allow for logic and pragmatism. The arts are not a priority and  are whittled away by legislation year after year. Music and creativity, in terms of imagination, awaken not only our creative selves, but also our mathematical and scientific selves.

Music is BoundlessEinstein said: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

As music and arts programs become less accessible to kids, a greater need for grass roots programs exists. Our education system does not value the power music has to help children learn and become confident students, and private instruction and camps are out of reach for many families. We want music to be attainable to all children in the community, and it’s for this reason that we’ve created the New Mexico Academy of Rock and Blues (NMARB).

At NMARB, our mission is to create a program for creativity that is affordable to all families. This is why we put together fundraisers; it’s our community effort to create a space that doesn’t exclude anyone merely based on finances.

Instructional Diversity

Our instructors are not only Albuquerque Public Schools educators but also some of the Southwest’s most talented musicians, like Reviva’s Glenn “Buddha” Benavidez and Singer/Songwriter Keith Sanchez. We also bring in New Mexico’s renowned poets, such as Albuquerque Poet Laureate Jessica Helen Lopez, Swimming With Elephants Publisher and educator Katrina Guarascio, and nationally published poet Zachary Kluckman.

We know that music is not just about the sounds created, but the creative expression they shape. Be it though lyrical execution, composition, or instrumental mastery, we want kids to express their true selves as they build their musical ability, their self-esteem, their ability to work as a team, and their confidence.
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This article was originally published on January 8, 2015 in the Music Corner page found on the NMARB website. Community Publishing will be re-publishing this collection of articles by Keith and Ana Sanchez.
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Sanchez FamilyAna Romero Sanchez and Keith Sanchez are the founders of the New Mexico Academy of Rock & Blues, which is dedicated to granting equal access to the arts for children from all walks of life. Please contribute whatever you can by visiting: http://nmarb.org/

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.

#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.

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Discovering Wellness

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on June 27, 2015 Respond

Discovering Wellness by Alex Paramo

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin uttered these words many moons ago and most educators today would agree. In Albuquerque NM, the Rail Yards Market provide just that opportunity to immerse yourself in learning using the hands-on approach. This week the Rail Yards Market is focusing on Wellness with activities surrounding this theme.

Food & You

In our STEAM Zone we are featuring the folks from YOU&FOOD! YOU&FOOD was founded in April 2012 by Christine Smith, they are dedicated to combating our country’s current obesity epidemic.  YOU&FOOD serves as a voice to counter the processed food industry—this in turn helps people live healthier lives. Christine has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry (MB&B) from Yale University, a B.S. in Chemistry from Indiana University, and is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant (CNWC) from American Fitness and Professionals & Associates (AFPA).

Discovering Wellness at the Rail Yards Market

In the Children’s Zone there will be Zhenya of Circus Yoga for Kids at High Desert Yoga leading kiddos of any age and yoga experience level! Zhenya has been teaching yoga to adults, teens, children, families, mommas to be and even mommas and babies since 2011. She believes in the power of play to enliven community, trust, co-creation and radical inclusion. Circus Yoga artfully blends the wisdom of yoga, with the communal celebration of circus.

Singing and Dancing

On our Main Stage we have singing, belly dancing and Internationally known musician Keith Sanchez leads students from his music camp, the New Mexico Academy of Rock & Blues. For complete schedule and more info on each act, visit http://railyardsmarket.org and click on our calendar!

Wellness Matters

Wellness Matters because it affects everything we do and feel. We exist as individuals in a circular pattern where our physical health dictates our emotions which guide our actions which either lead to taking care of our bodies or not. Learn about wellness this Sunday at the Rail Yards Market and choose health for your life.

Find more health and wellness articles by Community Publishing by clicking here.

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Alex Paramo is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. Community Publishing brings Alex Paramo Summer Solsticelocal artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our communities.

We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketers at Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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Seth in New Zealand: Music in Class

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on April 28, 2015 1

By Seth Hoffman

Over the past month I’ve had the good fortune to be a part of so much music. It’s been my experience that music can do a world of good. I’ll begin by telling about what I’ve been doing in the schools here in Wellington.

Sometimes I visit a class or school only one time. I ask about their connection with music. “What’s your favorite song to hear?” “Does anyone in your family play an instrument?” “Do you like to sing?” “Who is your favorite musical artist or group?”

Music Conversations

We may go off on a brief tangent on any of these topics, and then I start playing a song. Often times I begin with “The Color Song.” The first part of this song I sing to them. Then, I sing the song again, and everybody helps create new verses.Finally, we all sing the new song altogether. I tell you, and it’s good fun, and it can really bring the room together.

Music in Class

Sometimes I play “The Color Song” on the Strumstick. I then give a brief background about myself, and the role music has played in my own life. I share how I used to be very much an introvert. I was quite shy, and I did’t connect easily with people or new situations. Music has helped me come outside of my head.

I share about how music takes down walls. Normally when we walk down the street, we typically don’t interact with strangers.

It might even feel a little bit strange or threatening if a stranger strikes up a conversation with you out of the blue. When we add a musical instrument into the equation, that wall often comes magically down.

Instrumental Role Playing

I do a role playing activity where I have one student pretend to walk past another another down the street. First, this is done with no instrument. Then they repeat the same activity where one or both will have an instrument.

Music has been part of almost every culture since the beginning of time. It’s not surprising that it “resonantes” with so many people. We talk about the different parts to a song. We listen to a song and identify the:

beat – rhythm – chord progression – melody – feel – mood – lyrics – chorus – verse – dynamics.

Next, I demonstrate building a song using the loop pedal. I start with a beat to set the rhythm. Then, I add a basic chord progression. Next, I add a simple melody. I might add some different sounds and layers to give the song texture and set the mood. Finally, with the help of the group, we add some words.

Here’s a video of me doing some song building in a bar in Wellington. I do basically the same thing in classes, though the song topic and lyrics may vary.

Collaboration

I am so impressed at the way that students are able to work together, collaborate, listen to each other, and present their creations. Some students who don’t typically get to shine became the stars of the class. Students who might not normally work together discovered that they could make incredible sounds together. Everybody got to be included, and everyone could participate in a way they felt comfortable and successful.
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Seth in New Zealand

Seth Hoffman

Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. 

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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NMARB: the Gift of Music

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on April 20, 2015 1

By Alex Paramo

As schools across the country face ever-increasing budget cuts, a common strategy that school districts employ is cutting arts programs. As increases in standardized testing become the norm in public schools, the unfortunate victim becomes arts-education. This is an unfortunate strategy due to the fact that the overwhelming evidence points to arts education as being a great benefit to the overall education of children.

Benefits of Music Instruction

The Gift of MusicFor younger children (2-9) music aides significantly in language development. Additionally, a link between music and spatial intelligence, which is essential for everyday tasks and is crucial in mathematics, has been discovered. Music instruction also helps students with aspects of math by enhancing their pattern recognition skills. A foundation of music instruction is founded upon memorization, therefore music students develop a mastery of memorization which greatly benefits them in all areas of education. Of course there are many more advantages that would exhaust the space I have here but please check out this presentation (Music Matters) by the folks at the Arts Education Partnership which outlines many more of these benefits.

New Mexico Academy of Rock & Blues

Sanchez Family

Ana, Tobias and Keith – Photo by Nareen Al-Timimi

New Mexico Academy of Rock and Blues (NMARB) is a not-for-profit arts program focused on teaching young people the craft of music and lyrical performance and writing. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the NMARB is led by husband and wife team Keith Sanchez and Ana Romero Sanchez.

Ana was a teacher in Oakland, CA and is currently pursuing a MA in Counseling. Ana is the Co-founder, Program Director and Administrator for NMARB.  Keith is a career musician having traveled the world as a performing artist. Keith works as a teacher for RFK Charter High School in Albuquerque’s south valley. Keith is the Co-founder, Director of Music and Curriculum, and lead instructor for NMARB. Read more about Keith and Ana here.

The NMARB includes lessons from Musician/Educator Elizabeth Marie Berry, Percussionist Ragon Espinoza and artists in other mediums such as poetry, spoken-word and literature from instructors such as Albuquerque Poet Laureate Jessica Helen Lopez and Poet/Educator Katrina Guarascio. Ana stated that, “Art has always been a huge part of our lives and we wanted to share that with our community by bringing in other artists. We know that art builds confidence and give the students a platform to speak their own words out loud.”

Motivational Mission

The motivation for founding the NMARB sprang from the desire by Keith and Ana to teach music to children in a fun environment. According to Ana, you can “learn while having fun, and it is about more than music. The students build friendships and find common bonds with other youth from around their city.”

New Mexico Academy of Rock & Blues

Keith adds, “I was inspired to found the NMARB because music can provide kids with a sense of purpose. I strive to give the kids a cultural experience, a historical perspective. Music instruction is not about showcasing talent, its about kids feeling that everyone has something to contribute to music, to society.” Additionally Keith states, “Music is a gateway to math, science, and literature.”

The NMARB is hosted by the FUSION Theatre Company at the Cell Theatre in Downtown Albuquerque, NM. Ana states that, “FUSION Theatre Company’s Executive Director Dennis Gromelski has been a tremendous proponent of the NMARB and we would not have accomplished as much without his continual support.”

The Future

nmarb-2014

Among the long-term goals of the NMARB include:

  • Expansion in capacity (amount of students)
  • Create an year-round after-school program
  • Scholarships to lower the costs to all students
  • Expansion in arts courses offered/curriculum
  • Creating a model and opening up chapters nationally and in Latin America

 Mission Possible

The NMARB’s mission is to provide music and arts education to young people throughout the community. Their goal is to inspire creativity, build confidence and self-esteem, help create friendships and community bonds, and to foster the ability to accomplish dreams in all aspects of their lives. If you cannot make the fundraiser please visit the NMARB website at http://nmarb.org (Donate Button) and/or learn how to Sponsor a Child.

“if each of us felt the confidence to give of our abilities, and we all have them…to share that with society…we could make big changes.”  – Ana Romero Sanchez

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Alex Paramo Community Publishing

Alex Paramo

Alex Paramo is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as Multimedia Books while promoting literacy in our communities.

We are proud to be a community partner and Marketing Coordinator at Rail Yards Market. #JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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Seth In New Zealand: One Connection Leads to Another

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on March 25, 2015 Respond

By Seth Hoffman

I’ve been a busy fella here in Wellington. I’m going to try and sum up the past few weeks in this entry. The focus of today’s blog entry is “connections.” You never know where, what, or who one connection will lead to. When I first arrived in Wellington, I was lucky enough to stay in the apartment of Fulbright Alumni Malcolm McKinnon.

Through Malcolm, I met his wonderful friend Keith. After telling Keith that I am seeking out musical outlets and community, he connected me with his friend Patricia, who is part of a ukulele club. Here is a little clip of the magic that happens here.

IMG_2611This group is facilitated by the talented, hardworking, encouraging, and inspirational Shane McAlister. He is a musical soul brother of mine. He spreads joy through teaching and performing music to the world.

Check out his sweet ride.

Now that’s what I call arriving to the gig in style.One day I was walking down the road to find a nice place to do some busking (playing music on the street).

I found a nice place to play by the water. This lady approached me and told me I could not play there. She pointed to some places not far away that I was allowed to play music. I thanked her, and we got to talking. She detected my accent (yes I have an accent, I was quite excited to learn this) and asked what I was doing here in New Zealand. I explained that I am here to look at the role of music and the arts in education. She told me about her son and his work with teaching Maori and Kapa Haka.

Kapa Haka

IMG_2564Kapa Haka is the term for Māori performing arts and literally means to form a line (kapa) and dance (haka). Kapa haka is an avenue for Maori people to express and showcase their heritage and cultural Polynesian identity through song and dance. So, I connected with her son Matiu. I contacted Matiu over Facebook and explained who I am and what I’m doing (and that I met his mother).

I asked if I might sit in on some of his classes. He told me to meet him outside the Paekakariki train station a few days later, and I could accompany on a full day of teaching.

Ticket to Ride

IMG_2534

I got my train ticket to Paekakariki (about an hour ride north of Central Wellington). As you may know or remember about the “hongi” from my earlier blog entry: A hongi is a traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one’s nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person at an encounter.It is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies and serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake in modern western culture, and indeed a hongi is often used in conjunction with one.

In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party’s souls.

He taught hongi to some students. The students are very respectful and the connection they have with each other is beautiful. It was powerful to see these kids doing Kapa Haka.

IMG_2556

Between classes, I met the school principal who told me to feel free to walk around and check out the campus. He encouraged me to look at the school garden. I was curious to see how it compared with our lovely garden at Mountain Mahogany Community School.

IMG_2551 IMG_2554

I met these great kids who gave me a tour of the garden. They snacked on various plants (just like the kids at MMCS). After a full day of teaching students,

IMG_2562Matiu was asked to present at the staff meeting to teach some Maori to the teachers. The teachers and principal really wanted to improve their Maori pronunciation and understanding.

This man is a hard worker, a talented musician and teacher, and he is really passionate about what he does.

These schools are truly fortunate to have him working with their community.

Connecting Opportunities

My Fulbright host family is the couple Bill and Sally Barrett. Sally happens to be the wonderful principal at Wadestown School. She welcomed me to do some musical activities with some classes here.

IMG_2403 IMG_2601

Another connection I made is with the advisor or my fellow Fulbrighter, Shahnaz. His name is Bruce Carey. He’s not only a great professor, but he’s also a great songwriter and performer.

IMG_2192 IMG_2632

Through Bruce, I met this other talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Moses.

IMG_2368 Seth Gig Fringe

Bruce is the person who told me about the great open mic at The Fringe Bar, which led to my first New Zealand gig. Both Bruce and Chris opened for me at the Fringe Bar on Friday March 13th 2015.

I’ll end this entry here for now. Stay tuned for some more photos and video clips of the culture here in Welllington, New Zealand. I’ll be visiting several more schools these next couple weeks.For now, won’t you join me in some delicious gelato?

*****
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Seth in New Zealand

Seth Hoffman

Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. 

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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Seth in New Zealand: Where I Came From

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on March 17, 2015 Respond

I’m a full month and a half into my New Zealand Fulbright Experience.  As the title of this entry says, I will reflect a bit on where I came from before I arrived.

Where I Came From

Mountain Mahogany Community School

For the past 5 years I have been teaching at a beautiful public charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA called Mountain Mahogany Community School. If not for my experience at MMCS, I likely would not be in New Zealand now on this Fulbright Scholarship. Mountain Mahogany Community School is where my integration of music/teaching/learning was truly nurtured. About a week before I began teaching there, Kendra Toth (school director) asked me how I was going to begin my first day of school with the kids. After years in public education, my trained response was, “I will sit everyone down, and I will go over the class rules.” I was surprised to see Kendra’s expression so skeptical.

“Hmmmm. No,” she replied, “I think you should greet them at the door with your guitar and begin by singing them a song.”

Where I Came From

Music Gear

You can imagine how surprised I was to have this most pleasing suggestion from my boss. In the past, I felt I had to “hide” musical activities and only squeeze them in here and there if extra time allowed. This may have been in my own head, but that was the impression I had. Mountain Mahogany was my first experience where I really felt that using music was embraced and encouraged. So, I just want to give a public thank you to Kendra Toth (director), Baylor Del Rosario (administrator), and all the MMCS staff, students, families, and friends for welcoming the music I have been incorporating in my role as a classroom teacher and member of this inspirational community.

That’s a bit about where I came from. Now, stay tuned, and I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to here in New Zealand for the past several weeks.
*****
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Seth in New Zealand

Seth Hoffman

Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. 

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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Travel Blog: Seth in New Zealand

Published by communitypublishingabq@gmail.com on February 3, 2015 1

Seth in New Zealand by Seth Hoffman

Hello friends, it’s me Seth Hoffman (teacher/musician/songwriter) here. I’ve started this blog so folks can follow some of my adventures and discoveries while I am on my Fulbright program here in Wellington, New Zealand. I post much on Facebook, but I wanted to have an option so my well-respected non-Facebook users can also come along for the journey.

Here’s where I am right at the moment. I’m at a little work station at the lovely Wellington Public Library located at 65 Victoria Street in downtown central Wellington.

Bringing Passion into the Classroom

You’re probable wondering, “What in the heck are you doing in Wellington, New Zealand?” Well, the title of my Fulbright Project is called “Bringing Joy and Passion Back Into the Classroom.” You may likely be aware (or maybe you aren’t aware) that budgets for music and the arts in schools are being cut left and right. The focus is almost entirely on raising Standarized Test scores in reading, writing, and math.

Seth in New ZealandI’m very much in favor for of students improving their reading, writing, and math skills. These are no doubt very important life and career skills. However, I believe there are other ways to go about reaching these goals. Throughout my 11 year teaching career, I have observed students thriving and becoming highly engaged through music and drama. This engagement transfers to self esteem and participation, and in the end helps the very skills these high stakes tests are assessing.

Though my focus is music, I want to advocate and encourage teachers to bring their specific passion and interests into the classroom. A highly engaged teacher will likely have highly engaged students. Whether it’s music, drama, dance, cooking, scuba diving, or gardening, there are ways to integrate any of these topics into the curriculum.

Growing Budgets for the Arts

I will be working with and observing various teachers who specialize in integrating music and other art forms in their teaching. My hope is that budgets will grow for the arts in schools everywhere, and teachers will be encouraged and supported to bring their areas of passion into the classroom.

I look forward to sharing my discoveries with you.
*****
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Seth in New Zealand

Seth Hoffman

Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday. 

Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market.
#JoinOurCommunity at http://communitypublishing.org

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