I discovered that using the simplest version, free now, of Finale Notepad, that if I selected cello, it actually made my piano compositions sound more like I imagined them without all the intricacies of perfect score writing.  Even acapella SATB sounded good with the cello reading of each part.  

I'm beginning to wonder if listening to the piano compositions played by the electronic cello might not help students learn how to play the piano.  I'm looking at a video where a pianist explains that you approach the piano with your whole body and not just from the wrist down.  He said that the modern folks, even with classical music, seem to approach it from the wrist.  He also stated that being technical about the directions instead of approaching it with strategy isn't a good idea.
That's what brought to mind my observation about the cello and my compositions.  

Now during my lifetime I've read that Blacks resent it that Jews took over their music.  Well, I wish that the Blacks would take over the cdrom THE TROPE TRAINER.  I think it could be used all the metro D.C. Black Church Choirs and they would really make it entertaining.  Turnabout is fair play.  It would be fun for me.  I haven't been given the gift of childhood music.  My mother and father were but they denied me.  Most Blacks excel at this.  I think they could do innovations we haven't yet experienced in the Jewish community.  Poor Blacks would have the time to do it too along with the sounds of gun shots.  I'd not even mind it blaring out of their cars as they whiz by.  Nothing like music to make one feel universally sound;)    How about it Black Caucus and Black Chamber of Commerce?

I can only speak from my own anatomical experience.  If it weren't for Life Long Learning, I could not have afforded a college music education.  I was 69 YO when my private voice teacher showed me the Circle of 5ths.  I was intrigued and so entered Richland Community College, Dallas, TX to find "What's it all about".  It was as if my brain had been deprived all my life.  I felt completely whole for the first time.  It gave me courage and strength.  I entered the hallowed building of "culture" for the first time. What a new environment.  That strange building called Fannin I used to see across the brook from the Science Building.

I had already known of a theory from observation that there is a way to tell if a child is gifted.  It's like a "bump" in the cortex.  It disappears if the child isn't exercising it by the time the child is 12 YO.  That was 15 years ago.  I don't know if there is such research today in genetics.  Can this be determined inside the womb?  Already they are experimenting with creating human-non-human creatures.  What will they be called? Human Monkeys or Human Canines or Human Felines?  

So right now, can a mom with a huge belly full of a human being with all the photgraphic monitoring know ahead of time if the baby inside her has the gift of music?  Shouldn't we expect all humans to be given an equal evolution in music.  The universal pendulum of time, the timekeeper, the bass line, the drum beat. Music, as far as I know, is only an Earth Science.  That's because it needs a medium to exist.  Humans create this Earth science.  

There is a lot of critism of the hip hop culture and urban music these days.  You'll hear people saying that the lyrics and images send the wrong image about women, drugs and violence.  Images we want to keep our young people away from.  Well there are also concerned people raising these questions and seeking answers.  Local teacher and vocalist Lori Williams-Chisolm  is one of those people.  I want to tell you about an event that  I have been invited to be a part of.

It's called "Positive Music For Positive Minds."  Lori has assembled a panel of music experts to talk about the issues facing hip hop and its role in a lot of young lives.  The event is this Friday (5/30) at Wilson High School at 1:30 and put on with the support of the Wolf Trap Foundation Scholarship Program.  I applaud Lori and others like her trying to make a difference that will hopefully be reflected in the future generation.

Below is a list of the participants.  Hope to see you there!

Allison Seymour - News Anchor; FOX 5 News
Chuck Brown – Professional Recording Artist; Recognized as the Godfather of
Go-Go Sylver Logan Sharp - Professional Recording Artist William E. Smith, Ph.D. – American University Professor, Author - Hip Hop as Performance and Ritual Angie Ange - Radio Disc Jockey, 93.9 WKYS-FM                          Sugar Bear – Professional Go-Go Recording Artist                         James Jas. Funk Thomas – Professional Recording Artist                         Rev. Delman L. Coates – Founder of the Enough is Enough Campaign                         Kenneth Barnes - President of The ROOTS, Inc.

 

I got the privelege of being one of Mr. Chisolm's students at Hardy Middle School. In fact i arrived to Hardy Middle School the same year he did. With us he created Hardy Middle School's first music bands (marching, concert, honors and jazz band). When I first walked into the music class he asked us all what instruments we would like to learn to play and what instruments we have played in the past. I knew I wanted to play the flute, I had always dremed of playing the flute. We started off with the basics (learnin how to place our mouths on the mouth pieces and how to blow to create sound). Once Mr. Chisolm had taught us the basic we began learning to read music and play the different notes on our instruments. Mr. Chisolm shows a passion for music which motivates us as students to work with him and learn how to play the instruments and be as passionate as he is. Mr. Chisolm was a great music teacher in my eyes. Although I have not played since leaving Hardy I still have the passion for music. In fact I went to the 2008 Spring Concert and was so impressed with the performances and seeing that Mr. Chilson was still conducting his magic by teaching the new generations at Hardy to play instruments so wonderfully. I went up to him and told him that he has to teach me how to play once again because I have no where to practice, Hardy was the only place where I could practice playing my the flute and having him there for support and as a director.

I loved the show last night!  It reminded me of the tv shows that we use to watch as kids.  Variety shows..remember those?  It was cool to be able to watch with my kids and have them dance around and sing with the show. 

My favorite moment was the winning moment for David Cook.  It was touching to see his family and his pure happiness at the announcement.  I also liked how gracious he was to David Archuletta.  He's what they call a real class act.

 

David A. or David C.?   Either way they have both already won, let's face it.  The exposure that they have gotten on American Idol is invaluable!  If they never record an album they have seen more fame than most people will ever have right?!  But alas, they are "in it to win it" as the saying goes and I think David A. really brought his A game last night.  David C. seemed to be holding back something and I just didn't get the same level of enthusiasm or excitement  from the "rocker." 

Still it is America's choice with the 75 million votes cast after last night's show.  I really hope David A. takes the crown...we'll see!!!

We are only hours to the American Idol Season 7 first finale show and it is very obvious that the idol excitement is building.  Die-hard fans have come as early as FIVE hours before the show starts and many have their signs ready to support their favorite finalist!

So that brings us to the BIG question...Which David is it going to be?  Emphasis on WHICH. If I hear another person in an interview say 'David is definitely going to win', 'bet on a David', 'my money is on David'...I may go crazy. We get it...they are both named David...very funny...but not really.  Ok enough ranting.

So who is it going to be and how important is tonight's performance?

The fans seem to be split and each performer attracts a different fan base. I think big question is who are the Syesha fans going to support. In My opinion, the singer who is better tonight will gain the popularity of AI fans who once voted for Syesha.

Enough about what I think...tell me what you think? Cook or Archuletta?

If you didn't catch us today on FOX-5 Morning News and the Midday show...don't worry there is much more to come from out here in Cali! Holly, Mike and I have hit the road...well the skies...and are living large in LA for the American Idol Season 7 Finale. It is my first trip to the west coast and although we are all business this week you can imagine I'm still super excited.

Today through Thursday we'll be talking to stars, former idols, and the people who make AI happen each week. Not only can you see all our interviews and stories on TV but I will also be taking behind the scenes pics so you can see everything that goes on leading up to the finale and afterwards.

Check out our first pics posted at: http://media.myfoxdc.com/IDOL/monday_idol/album/index
.html

I will continue to upload them throughout our trip. Send me picture requests and I'll do my best to show it all.

I've finally gone and done it! 

I have released my first two singles on Itunes, Amazon and wherever music is sold on the Internet, if you search using my name BARNZsongwriter my first two songs are available to be purchased, Critiqued etc.

With everything that I've had to say about the performers on American Idol, well now it's my turn.

All of the songs were written, produced & performed by me, so if you don't like them I have no one to blame, but myself.

Enjoy.

They are both named David but their styles are night and day.  Young David Archuleta has had a solid run.  He does better when he doesn't take any chances and it has paid off.  David Cook takes all sorts of risks.  He changes songs up...and is not afraid to belt it out and show originality.  I think David Cook should and will win but I am sure that David A. has a HUGE fan base and I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls it off.

What do you think as we head into next week's big finale?  One thing is for sure...it'll be a David :)

So it comes down to this...David A., David C. and Syesha.  I think its a good top three.  My gut tells me that it will be the two David's left standing after tonight but Syesha has come so far and, in my opinion, is a better performer than young David. 

Which begs the question...

Has the show become too predictible?  We all said that the two David's would be the finalist a long time ago.  The show is still a powerhouse in the ratings  but the numbers have been down.  I think it'll be the two David's left standing tonight but I hope a shake-up will happen instead!

I just saw Slatkin for the first time on TV National Press Club, I was enthralled at every word that came out of his mouth. What a wonderful human being. Economy of words at its best. So I googled to find out more about him. This article told me more of the same kind of observation. It's music as a museum indeed. It's what the real word "capitalism" can mean. One is All and All is One. Communitize using music.

 http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200803
30/ENT04/803300508/1035/RSS04 

For incoming DSO music director Leonard Slatkin, conducting is only part of the job BY MARK STRYKER • FREE PRESS MUSIC WRITER • MARCH 30, 2008 

"If we're going to play music on the home page, we need to say what it is and why it's there," said Slatkin, dressed casually in plaid shirt and slacks. "This morning I got the Beethoven Violin Concerto, and I thought, 'Why is that there? We're not playing it this week.' " 

Slatkin, who conducts his first DSO subscription concerts this week since being appointed music director last fall, doesn't officially begin his tenure until fall. But he is already putting his stamp on the orchestra's daily life. He has visited Detroit six times since October, each trip stuffed to the gills with orchestra business. From new education initiatives and artistic planning to a promising early bump in fund-raising and ticket sales, the Slatkin era is underway. 

Music directors of major orchestras rarely concern themselves with minutiae like an orchestra's Web site. They are artistic CEOs, with broad power over programming, hiring musicians and creating an institutional vision. But the American-born Slatkin, 63, has a reputation for rolling up his sleeves and digging into the nitty-gritty of audience building, education and fund-raising. He is, in other words, a hands-on maestro. American orchestras have been wrestling with redefining the role of their music directors, placing increasing emphasis on community involvement alongside traditional values of musical excellence, star power, touring and recording.

 Slatkin is not unique -- Michael Tilson Thomas at the San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Los Angeles Philharmonic have similar temperaments, for instance -- but Slatkin has been a model of civic engagement for longer than just about anyone. His hands-on style dates back to his landmark tenure from 1979-96 with the St. Louis Symphony, which he built into a world-class ensemble while famously bonding with the city.

 To Slatkin, tweaking the DSO's Web site, massaging donors and brainstorming with the marketing staff is as much a part of his job as conducting concerts. "I like to be involved on every level," said Slatkin, who completes a 12-year tenure with the National Symphony in Washington, D.C., in June. "That's the way I work. People are going to blame me, anyway. The music director becomes the voice of the orchestra. If something goes wrong, people are not going to say, 'Well, it's the manager.' They'll say, 'It's under the music director's watch.' If I'm going to be held responsible, I want to be involved in it."

 The DSO at a crossroads Slatkin arrives in Detroit with the orchestra at a crossroads. It has been three years since former music director Neeme Järvi completed his historic 15-year tenure, and the search that landed Slatkin dragged on for 5 1/2 years. The orchestra misplaced its artistic compass for several seasons until appointing Peter Oundjian artistic adviser in 2006 and launching the 8 Days in June festival in 2007. But it has yet to build on the artistry and growth of the Järvi years, especially the opening of the $60-million Max M. Fisher Music Center in 2003. For all of Järvi's charisma and adventurous repertoire, his laissez-faire temperament was ill-suited to building stronger bridges into the community and establishing a sweeping artistic vision for the orchestra that transcended the brilliance of individual concerts. He was a great conductor, but not always a great music director. Slatkin's charge is to be both. "We need the leadership and the focus of his vision," said DSO president Anne Parsons. "We can't get there without a great music director and a great partner and collaborator." 

Michigan's sputtering economy is putting a premium on the orchestra's ability to run at peak efficiency, from programming to fund-raising, marketing and outreach. The DSO ran a slight deficit in 2007, its first red ink since 2003, but it came within a whisker of a frightening $2-million shortfall. Only some 11th hour largesse from several key donors kept the bleeding to a minimum. Classical ticket sales have also been declining. Four years ago classical attendance was 76% of capacity; last season it was 71% and it has dipped to 59% so far this season. On another front: Last summer's contentious contract negotiations, which raised musician salaries in the long run but also included $1 million in concessions, left a cloud of bitterness in the locker room.

 Auto show and baseball games Slatkin's visits to Detroit have been as long as two days and as short as four hours. He has met with programming, fund-raising, marketing, musician, education and strategic planning committees. He has taped radio promotions, greeted patrons in the Green Room and dropped in on DSO rehearsals to hear what the orchestra sounds like from a seat in Orchestra Hall rather than the podium. On Saturday, he's scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the Tigers game at Comerica Park, a special thrill since he's such a rabid baseball fan. In January he and his 13-year-old son Daniel, a car nut, spent an afternoon touring the auto show. This was private time with his son, but he still dropped by the Honda exhibit to personally thank a company executive for Honda's recent $1-million gift for student outreach. Slatkin hit the ground running in terms of fund-raising. He has met a parade of major donors at one private dinner after another. His unpretentious air, sharp mind and varied interests -- from music to the world of ideas and baseball -- has had a charming effect, and his passion is contagious, said board chair Jim Nicholson. When Slatkin headlined a fund-raising brunch at the MGM Grand Detroit casino for donors who have given $6,000 or more, he helped spark $1.7 million in early commitments to the annual fund, including $200,000 in new gifts. The buzz surrounding a new music director typically leads to increased ticket sales. One good early sign for the DSO is that classical subscription sales are coming in at double last year's pace. DSO patrons who have heard Slatkin's stump speech are excited. At the MGM Grand, Betty Blazok of Grosse Ile was taken by his plans to move his family to Detroit next year -- a sign he won't treat the DSO simply as a port-of-call. "He was so positive about the symphony and Detroit," she said. "He'll certainly help raise more money and draw attention to the DSO because of his personality and desire to be here." Getting the audience back Most of the 2008-09 season was settled before Slatkin's appointment, but the details, announced in February, preview several of his priorities.


 The five weeks that Slatkin will conduct -- he'll lead 13 weeks in 2009-10 -- survey a wide variety of styles, with a careful balance of old and new music, plenty of American fare and three world premieres by accessible composers. Slatkin is moving on parallel tracks, trying to quickly build a rapport with the players in a diverse repertoire and rebuilding the audience by making sure each concert has a hook -- whether it's repertoire, a guest artist or a theme. "I'm trying to get a lot of the audience back," said Slatkin. "We're thinking very much about how we can market ourselves to the total population. The audience is going to have to learn to trust me, so I need to bring them along slowly." One area in which Slatkin was able to move swiftly was education and family programming, a priority during his tenures in both Washington and St. Louis. He'll conduct three Young People's Concerts, two of them free, and he has talked several big-name artists into appearing with him. Behind the scenes, Slatkin and DSO management have begun talking about touring as early as 2010-11. There have been casual conversations with the Naxos label about recording. (Slatkin won two Grammy Awards in February for a CD on Naxos of music by Joan Tower.) Slatkin has also hired an artistic lieutenant, Jim Berdahl, a former colleague from the Aspen (Colo.) Music Festival. He'll serve as the DSO's vice president for artistic planning. Slatkin has spent time outlining ideas with the principal players in the orchestra too. To create a richer, darker sound in the hall, he may reseat the strings by having the cellos and violas switch places, placing the cellos inside the ensemble and the violas outside. He also wants to feature more DSO players, not just principals, in solo roles, said Stephen Molina, acting principal bass and the orchestra's personnel manager. Slatkin's arrival has been a shot in the arm for morale among the players, helping heal the post-contract bruises. "One of the best things to happen to us was to get a music director like him who knows what we need to do to get where we want to go," said Molina. "It's the best thing to wash away some of the clouds and wipe away some question marks." 

After nearly six months of work off the podium, however, Slatkin is anxious to get back to music-making with his new band. After all, chemistry with the musicians remains the soul of the relationship between an orchestra and its music director -- the artistry that gives meaning to outreach, fund-raising and even the Web site. Slatkin likes his chances. In a letter to the musicians dated Feb. 7 and currently pinned to the bulletin board backstage, Slatkin wrote about eavesdropping on a rehearsal. "For about 25 minutes I was able to sit in awe and listen to all of you," he wrote. "What a glorious sound you make. ... As I sat there I realized how fortunate I am to be able to work with you for many seasons to come." Contact MARK STRYKER at 313-222-6459 or mstryker@freepress.com. I

What's going on with Jason Castro?!  On Tuesday night he delivers two crazy performances...including one where he forgets the words (has he ever done that?) and the other where he doesn't barely even sing.  When it came time to vote it looks like he mouths the words "don't vote."  Well America didn't deliver those votes he needed to stay in the competition but I felt like he was actually relieved.

I know there are some purists who have a problem with American Idol in general, but it is a trememdous platform for young musicians to make a big impact on the music world.  Jason blew that chance.  I just wonder was he just not into it or if the competition just got to be too much.  I just don't think he took it seriously and that's too bad.

"SOUL STATION" THE MUSIC OF HANK MOBLEY

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DON SICKLER - Music Arrangements

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Saturday, May 31, 2008

3 Shows: 10:00 pm - 11:30 - 1:00 - Admission: $20.00

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www.uptownatmintons.com

Founded by tenor saxophonist Henry Minton in 1938, Minton's Playhouse quickly became famous for its role in the development of bebop, featuring a house band and guests comprised of pioneering artists such as Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke, Charlie Christian, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Closing its doors in 1974, Minton's remained shuttered for over 30 years, finally reopening on May 19, 2006 as the Uptown Lounge at Minton's Playhouse. Today, Minton's Playhouse presents a wide range of artists and styles, and continues to feature the late night jam sessions that made it so famous in the 1940s...

 

210 West 118th Street
New York, New York 10026

Watching the Idol contestants sing Neil Diamond songs just reminded me of one thing.  Don't try to sing Neil Diamond songs unless ...of course..you are Neil Diamond.

They all sounded like imitators to me.  David Cook was alright, but he was the exception in my humble opinion. 

On a related note...I really think Jason Castro is going home tonight.

Ok, one thing is clear after last night's American Idol results show.  It is definitely a popularity contest and not a singing competition.  No way Carly and Syesha should have been in the bottom two and NO WAY Carly should have gone home.

Period.

Ok...what do you think?  Did you agree with Paula who told Brooke, don't ever stop during a performance.  Or Simon who basically called it gutsy for Brooke to ask the band to start over because she "lost the words?"

That's one thought after last night's performances..the other is Man, what a voice on that David Cook!

Besides the false start of Brooke, I didn't think her performance was that good.  I think she will be going back home after tonight's elimination show.

I am still so surprised about Michael Johns elimination on American Idol!  I really don't know what to say ...I just  think everybody thought he would be safe so they didn't vote for him and it backfired.  Right?? What a shocker!

Year two of Idol Gives Back...what a night!  I don't think my eyes were dry for more than five minutes during the show.  The performances and the appearances by actors and other stars were all great but the show stood out for other reasons for me. 

Seeing the impoverished and impossible conditions that FAR too many of the world's children live in put all my petty little problems in perspective.  As a mother it breaks my heart to think of children going to bed with an empty stomach or suffering from disease.  It was a very emotional and realistic  look at the condition of the poor and disinfranchised.

It's very moving to see people dig into their pockets and give to children they might never know.  Times are tough for most folks in this economy and it's hard to go to the grocery store or fill your car up today.  Still people gave.  Makes me proud to be an American.