Here we
are, fully into summer. In the Midwest, days are filled with
swimming, biking, and trips to the zoo while nights are for star-gazing and
fireflies. Have you ventured out into the community to take in all the free
community concerts you can find in your area? Or taken a trip to the library to
find related literature about the works performed, composers represented, or
geographic/historical references found in the music as a preparation for or
follow-up to the event?
Oppressive
heat brings everyone inside for movie watching and book reading. Yet, if you
awake to “another summer day” in the “in-door stage” of summer, consider adding
something musically new to your traditions. Make a game of it. See who can
listen or watch the most for a trip to the local ice cream store for the
winner!
- Netflix: Try a new musical you’ve never seen before like Across
the Universe that uses music of the Beatles or revisit some
oldies like Fantasia or White Christmas for
vicariously cooling off! You will also find interesting music
documentaries on everything from Nina Simone to Tony Bennet, Pentatonix to
Back Street Boys.
- YouTube: Pick anything at all and you’ll find a hit on
YouTube! If that is too much from which to choose, visit the
Focus On Piano YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dbwY0Oyn_53XiUCoyrubg. Here, you will find a variety of
performances to widen your musical horizons: Music on the Trail, works
written by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Mozart and Gershwin. Special related
playlists have been created to make the search easier and to get you
started: Eastman School of Music graduate and former Piano Place student
Rosa Egge, fortepianists Malcolm Bilson and Tom Beghin.
- Pandora: Pandora, Spotify, GooglePlay, and other similar
sites offer the entire spectrum of music from which to listen and
grow.
If you
are lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with several young musicians,
consider creating a Young People’s Neighborhood Orchestra or Band in someone’s
backyard or basement. Participants meet each week for a 30-minute jam session!
Another
Summer Day…another chance to make music in a new way. What new summer tradition
will you create this year?
