Archive | Band and Orchestra

What Does it Take at Juilliard? Some Kind of Spark

Regular readers know that music education is an important issue to me. In fact, it reminds me of that old Barack Obama quote, “You didn’t build that” (tongue firmly in cheek). If you’ve been successful in music (or just gotten pretty good at an instrument), chances are someone along the way helped you. It might have been a parent, older sibling, music store employee, or teacher. Whomever it was, you know that reaching your goals is easier with support.

I’m asking you to support an independent filmmaker, Ben Niles, get more exposure for his new film Some Kind of Spark, which follows kids in Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program. It’s up for Indiewire’s Film of the Month against three other films. If Some Kind of Spark wins this competition, Ben will receive a consultation from the Tribeca Film Institute!

Pick Education is Dead, Long Live Pick Education

For those of you not following the story, we did not win the GOOD Magazine grant, which would have funded our Pick Education program.

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t disappointed. We could have done a lot of good with the $2,500 prize, but it was not meant to be. Nevertheless, I think this program’s potential for good is too great to ignore, and I think now is the time in my life to start giving back.