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Music

Every year we have Orchestra assessment and during that process as a teacher it gets us to doubt our actions, makes us think, "Why are we doing this?". We second guess ourselves a million times over.  We hope that we are doing the right thing and for me hopefully focusing on what matters. I also need to remind myself that it IS the process. I have to hear the progress and except when it's getting better. It's fine line between accepting and knowing when it's "good enough" and knowing "no we can do better".

I am reminded of a quote, "You be you because no matter what, people will have something to say"....a good thing to remember because my interpretation and my approach is for me and I hope that what I do and say will result in positive things bc my intent is coming from a place of honesty and the desire for my students and myself for better. That could mean giving it all the attention I could to just playing it correctly.

I didn't intend to reflect on all this the day after, but after a great night's sleep. I woke up and fixed a cup of coffee and watched Yo Yo Ma's documentary on his Silk Road Ensemble was on TV and all I can say is wow...

"We are are not our political identities. No one remembers who was the king when Beethoven was alive, but culture stays, language and music stays as a part of culture." Kayhan Kalhor

"The arts is more about the possibility. Possibility leads to hope. We all need hope." Kojiro Umezaki

"How do you deal with fear and doubts? Can you put yourself out there, and get behind something and be absolutely authentic and do it to the best of your ability?"..Yo Yo Ma

Such timely messages when there are people who don't seem to value the importance of music and the arts.
UPDATE: since the 45 took office it seems that we could all use this not only to value music, but to get hope to keep up the fight.

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