NEWSLETTER OF THE MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION OF …

CRESCENDOIn pursuit of quality music education for all children

NEWSLETTER OF THE MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY Vol. 22 No. 3 Spring 2014

Check out our newly-designed website:www.meanyc.org

Members gathered at the Astoria World Manor on the evening of Thursday, May 1 to recognize three individu-als who have exhibited exceptional support and promotion of music education in New York City. The honorees were Marc Greene, Immediate Past President of NYSSMA, Steven E. Schopp, NYSSMA Executive Director, and Ted Wiprud, Education Director for the NY Philharmonic. In the prepared comments that each recipient delivered fol-lowing the award presentation, they conveyed a common ideal. Simply put, each one stated that music unites us in a familial relationship. It seemed that in their parallel com-ments, they underlined that truth.

Dinner guests were treated to a performance by a quin-tet of string players from the Frank Sinatra High School under the direction of MEANYC member Laura Epstein. They played repertoire by Bloch, Gershwin and Vivaldi confidently and expressively. A sixth student, shared his virtuosic skill on a bouzouki, which is an ornately deco-rated Greek string instrument reminiscent of a mandolin, but with a bowl-shaped body and a longer neck. He shared a pair of lively pieces from traditional folk repertoire.

The fun evening ended with a slice of cake that had been decorated to look like the new MEANYC logo.

MEANYC Celebrates Once Again!

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This is your newsletter. Keep us informed of your concerts, special programs, activi-

ties, awards, etc. If you can contribute tips, methods or techniques that work for you, we would like to share them with our members.

Mail items for publication to: Michelle Turner

508 East 78th Street; #2iNew York, NY 10075

or email [email protected]

MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATIONOF NEW YORK CITY

www.meanyc.org

Michelle TurnerPresident

Steven UnderhillPresident-Elect

Membership Chair

Patricia GluntPast President

Alan LevineTreasurer

Elena ForondaRecording Secretary

Michael PittNYSSMA Representative

Maria SchwabGovernment Relations Chair

Jeffrey LanceCrescendo Editor

Roberta FeldhusenSharon Golub

Workshops Co-chairs

Barbara NovickHospitality Chair

Advisory MembersBernice Fleischer

Richard KlingensmithDavid LaMorte

Lisha LercariBarbara Murray

Penny PrinceJennifer Schecter

Ira ShankmanNancy Shankman

Janice SmithRonald ThompsonThomas Zlabinger

Dorian GittlitzGraphic Designer

Dear Colleagues,

This has been quite an eventful year for this or-ganization, thanks to the combined efforts of many devoted people whose names are listed on the side of this very page. Take a moment now to read them and be reminded that each one has committed many hours to insure the success of every program or project undertaken for you and your students.

MEANYC can boast of a current and com-prehensive website, newly launched in January, along with our new logo. Our updated banner was unveiled at the Awards Dinner on May 1 and future membership cards and pins will use the newer logo.

At the end of April, we concluded another successful series of fine professional develop-ment workshops, ranging in topics from teach-ing through technology to choral conducting and South African dance. Both the All-County Middle School Festival and the Honors Festival for High School Students recorded the highest numbers of participants to date with repre-sentation from all five boroughs, truly all-city endeavors. Early in March, a delegation was sent to the New York State legislature to sound the alarm to the adverse effects of the Com-mon Core and APPR mandates. In addition to our annual Fall cocktail party and the Spring Awards Dinner, MEANYC organized a special member tour of the Steinway Factory in Febru-ary. Our last two issues of Crescendo expanded by 50% with increased member submissions and photographs of events.

As we look ahead to the coming year, it is our aim to increase our focus and effectiveness in the “pursuit of quality music education for all children.” Crescendo is going green. A new regular column under consideration would an-swer practical questions for managing a thriv-ing music program. Ideas are being developed for the launch of a peer partnership or men-toring network. A particular focus will be on

following the transition of our student mem-bers as they make the transition into fulltime service to insure that they stay connected to a professional support system. Fundamental to propelling this organization forward will be the cultivation of new leaders with fresh ideas and perspectives to help us to fill in more gaps. That could mean you! If you have ever entertained thoughts of getting more involved, please con-tact me to discuss what shape that might take.

May your school year end on a positive note! May your summer be harmonious!

Best,Michelle TurnerMEANYC President

From the President

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NYSSMA News

The first step towards government  action for any reason  is comparing it to “Houston we have a problem.” Those of you who are regular readers of this column have been kept apprised of our efforts in educating all concerned of the intentional and unintentional consequences of educational policy that has denied anything like a well rounded education for many of New York City’s students. It is with great pleasure that I share news of three positive develop-ments that have come about, in part, through our advocacy efforts.

Two are in the form of audits:  one by the State Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli; the oth-er by the City Comptroller Scott Stringer.  The third is the changes in policies  at  the city DOE that have been recently been articulated by Chancellor Carmen Farina.

The  state audit sampled students at 166 public high schools and noted that 46- 64% of the 310 sampled high school students “may not  have obtained a high school Arts educa-tion in compliance with State Education De-partment Regulations.”  In addition, the high error rate that we found indicates a notable risk that students throughout the NYC pub-lic  high school system may not be obtaining Arts education as required by SED.” Certifica-tion to teach Arts Education was lacking for 99 of the 205 instructors (48% of the sample). Documentation to prove that students had the required 180 minutes of instructional time was not available for one third of the sample.  The audit recommended that NYC high school stu-dents receive an Arts education that complies with SED regulations and maintain documen-tation to support compliance with SED regula-tions.

The city Comptroller’s audit relied upon the data contained in the “Art Counts” report and was far more reaching.  Three areas of inquiry were examined:

1. The employment of full time or part time certified arts teachers

2. Formal partnerships with Arts institu-tions

3. Dedicated Arts instruction rooms, solely used for instruction in the core Arts areas.

 The audits findings included:n 28% of schools lack a full time certified

Arts teacher.  n 20% have no Arts teachers at all includ-

ing one out of seven middle and high schools.

n 10% do not have a dedicated Arts room.  Lack of Arts instruction disproportion-ately affects low-income neighborhoods. 

n “42% of these schools are concentrated in the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn.”

  Funding for Arts Education in NYC has been on a steady decline over the last seven years. It is time for us to draw up a plan so that we can give all of our children in every corner of the city a quality comprehensive arts education. (Do I hear a chorus of AMEN?)

The city comptroller’s audit noted a 47% decline in Arts program funding in 2006-2013 and an 84% drop in dedicated support for sup-plies such as musical instruments and other equipment.  Spending on the above was $10.7 million in 2006-07 and $1.7 million in 2012-2013.

He noted that Principals have access to supplemental Arts funding money but many have diverted these funds to non-Arts areas.  Other observations included the «Lack of certi-fied teachers violate the DOEs stated principles and it runs afoul of State Education Law.»  He also cited a study he did as Borough President of Manhattan that noted the city›s histori-cal failure to adequately plan for Arts space in schools.  Stringer pegs the cost of having one Arts teacher in every school at 26 million dol-lars.

Page 6 of the report has an accurate his-tory (to my mind) of Arts Education in NYC.  Stringer recommends that the DOE  REIN-STATE A DEDICATED FUNDING LINE FOR THE ARTS  noting that Arts education

grew while the dedicated funding line (Project Arts) was in place and has stagnated since.  He also  quoted Chancellor Carmen Farina as stat-ing, “I am a firm believer in the Arts.... If you have a band, if you have a chorus, if you have a drama club or a debate club many kids come to school the day of these particular activities.”

Which bring  me to Part Three of my re-port to you.   At the invitation of Jerry Ross (Dean of St. Johns University,  past chair  of music education at NYU, MEANYC honoree and a long standing friend of arts education in NYC), I attended a forum at which our new Chancellor was the guest presenter.  To quote Dr. Ross, “The symposium was designed to shed light without heat.” All questions were to be submitted in writing upon entrance and mine was not one of the three that were cho-sen.  Dr. Ross felt that a new Arts initiative was to be announced at this meeting but this was not to be.

 What we did hear was music to the ears of anyone who has survived the Bloomberg years: Respect for all students, teachers and parents.

“Arts are not fluff, not a frill, they are part of everyone’s being.” Farina voiced support for the Common Core, but we need to step back to look at the implementation “Demonstration lessons to show what works is the only way to foster change.”

[There is] a strong belief in collaboration between teachers and sister schools with shared visits. The C-30 process has been changed in line with her belief that one needs seven years in the schools to develop the empathy and communication skills with parents before be-coming a principal (five years for assistant prin-cipals). “We do not need to bring in outsiders, (consultants) we have the answers.” There was more of course, but I thought these would help raise your spirits.

We have been raising these issues and sug-gesting the same remedies for near two decades, but having government finally trumpet these at a time of  seemingly positive change at Tweed gives at least  this old guy some hope; maybe you too!

 Michael Pitt

“It is time for us to draw up a plan so that we can give all of our children in every corner of the city a quality comprehensive arts education.”

—Scott Stringer, Comptroller New York City

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Advocating For Our Cause In Albany

A small, yet hearty contingent of members made the trip to the state capital on Monday, March 3, to participate in the annual NYSSMA Day/Joe Sugar Day. MEANYC Government Relations Chair Maria Schwab organized visits to the offices of specific legislators because of their work on the Education committee or because of the NYC district they represent.

Our three main talking points were: 1. Be aware of the adverse consequences to music programs as a re-

sult of the high stakes testing, causing their reduction or elimination and preventing students from continuing their participation. Therefore, please support the bills under consideration in both the Senate and the Assembly, which ask for a delay or a more gradual implementation of Common Core mandates.

2. Music teachers should be evaluated solely on their ability to teach music. The APPR should be revised to reflect this.

3. With the recent release of the NYS Comptroller DiNapoli’s audit on NYCDOE compliance with the State Arts Education Requirements that reported that 46-64% of the sampled population of H.S. students did not meet one or more of the SED requirements, we underlined the need for greater accountability and oversight in the schools. In order for students to earn the needed arts credits for a diploma, it is necessary to uphold the mandates that include certified teachers, a minimum of 180 minutes of instruction/week and the use of an SED approved curriculum.

What do you get when you put more than forty music educators in one room with someone who made history? You get to sing and dance of course, plus adventures through time as you learn about the history of South Africa. And who was this person who made his-tory? That would be Sharon Katz who was instrumental in bringing 150 student musicians from four different schools on The Peace Train for a cross-country tour supporting South Africa’s movement to end apartheid. Students from different backgrounds and races met for the first time and sang together in harmony. We learned about Nelson Mandela who never gave up hope for South Africa even through his long imprisonment.

This was augmented by teaching the music educators various songs and dances from Africa like Siyajabula and the Gum Boot Dance. One participant stated that this was an entirely new experience even though she had previously sung or danced in other school related events. She was so motivated that she participated where she would never have thought it possible. The experience was not just one of learning but one of joy.—Brian Klasewitz

Pictures below are from the Drum Circles workshop.

Workshop: Music & Dance of South Africa

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YES, I want to be in on the fun of BROADWAY NIGHT with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Monday, June 23, 2014

Name (please print CLEARLY) ______________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number________________________________

Number of tickets_________ x $15.00 =_______________(total enclosed)

Please make checks payable to “MEANYC”

Tickets will be mailed to you. See you at the park!

MEANYC Goes to the Ballgame!

AND. . . .it’s BROADWAY NIGHT!!! MEANYC members will be gathering to sing/play a Broadway show tune during

the game. We’ll let you know ahead of time what song it is and provide a lead sheet

to sing or play with us!

Come early. . . ride the Cyclone. . . visit the new Scream Zone. . .have a Nathan’s hot dog!

It’s easy to get there by train, bus or car (and the parking is reasonable!). A limited number of seats are available for MEANYC members and their family and friends.

Order your tickets now and don’t miss out on the fun!

Send ticket orders to: Maria Schwab, MEANYC

133 Avenue VBrooklyn, NY 11223

Questions? Call Maria at 516-680-7934

Come to MCU Park in Coney Island to root for the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Monday June 23, 2014 Game time: 7pm

Tickets: $15.00 each, which includes a free hat!

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Above: the four ensembles performing at the High School Festival.Below: MEANYC members tour the Steinway Factory in Astoria.

[email protected] – 938 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, NY, 11050 – 516.883.0043

PROUDLY SERVING THE NYC SCHOOL MUSIC COMMUNITY FOR OVER 10 YEARS!

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The New York Pops is dedicated to lifelong learning, and collaborates with public schools, community organizations, children’s hospitals and senior centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Pops Education allows thousands of New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds to participate in fully customizable music programs that blend traditional education with pure fun.

We make music open to all, and use tools like composition, lyric writing, performance and mentorship to foster learning and unbridled creativity. In doing so, we excite students and give them skills they can apply to all areas of their lives.

For information on the PopsEd programs, contact:

Kathryn Rudolph, Associate Director of Education 212-765-7677 • [email protected] www.newyorkpops.org

2013-14 Kids On Stage Students with Music Director Steven Reineke

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This year’s Honors Music Festival for H.S. Students held at the Grand Street Campus H.S., Brooklyn, grew in size by nearly one hundred more participants than last year to include 330 students. These young musi-cians represented 22 schools from all five boroughs and 39 teachers. Each of the four ensembles (orchestra, chorus, concert band and jazz band) performed skillfully and expressively left their audience wanting more.

This two-day event that began on the evening of Friday, March 7 and culminated with the concert on Saturday afternoon at 2:30PM under the watchful eye of Festival Chair, Michael Pitt, and Site Coordinator, Jeff Ball.

Notable guests in the audience were Paul King, Executive Director from the Office of Arts and Special Projects, Barbara Murray, Director of Music and Co-sponsor of the Festival, Eric Adams, Brooklyn Bor-ough President and David Gaines, President of NYSSMA. President Gaines offered a few words and left us with these inspiring words:

“This is why I teach music…Not because I expect you to major in music, Not because I expect you to play or sing all your life,Not so you can relax,Not so you can have fun.

But so you will be human,So you will recognize beauty,So you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world,So you will have something to cling to,So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good.”

Some of that good is reflected with the following student testimonials:

BIGGER AND BETTER IN THE SECOND YEAR

“My experience in the NYC Honors music festival was so amazing!  The preparation for the performance was all on me. I had to be able to sight sing right off the page making sure to correct myself where needed. We had to be together: there’s no room for mistakes, just for improvement. The music was so amazing and super beautiful. We broke up into groups (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass). Each voice had a unique place in the music.  I feel that from this experience I have improved. The honors music festival motivates you to do your very best. I loved it and wish I had done it before I was a junior in high school because I would have learned even more!  I hope to have the opportunity to participate again next year!” —Briya Beltran, Celia Cruz High School of Music

The experience was amazing. I loved working with all the extremely talented people from other schools in New York. The environment was very professional and intense, but the performance made it all worth it. I am look-ing forward to being in it again next year. —Tyler Bernstein, Tottenville High School

The program was phenomenal. We all learned beautiful music and put on an excellent performance. It was an amazing experience. While all the students were from different places and backgrounds, we all united through music. —Jess Fargo, Tottenville High School

I was so glad to have the opportunity to work with such an amazingly talented group of people. It makes music so much more enjoyable when surrounded by people who share the same passion as you. —Juliet Leung, Totten-ville High School

“My experience at the NYC honors music festival was amazing.  The conductor was very helpful, and her tech-niques she used were affective for my voice personally, and I’m pretty sure for the others as well! I wish the pro-gram was longer however, and we could get to know the other students that participated even more. The perfor-mance was well prepared, and was handled quite well.  Everyone did an amazing job, and the show had a great turn out!  I hope to participate in this program again next year, because it was a lovely experience!” —Kiana Reyes, Celia Cruz High School of Music

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Crescendo Goes Green!Starting this fall, Crescendo will only be distrib-uted digitally via email and on our website. Mem-bers can still request a hard copy issue.

For years, MEANYC had to rely mostly on sharing information via Crescendo and the internet. With more savy people (a.k.a. “younger”) and electronic networking via FaceBook, Twitter, etc., communi-cating will become more frequent.

Perhaps a few of our readers have ideas for regular columns that would encourage or advise that we might add. If that is you, we invite you to join the team!

NYC Students Also Visit AlbanyAs part of Music in Our Schools Month, the following ensembles presented a concert in the South Concourse of the Nelson R. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza:

March 7: Democracy Prep, Manhattan, Percussion EnsembleM arch 18: Celia Cruz Bronx HS of Music Latin/Jazz Band P.S./M.S. 84, Queens, ChorusMarch 19: P.S. 132, Brooklyn, BandMarch 24: Edward R. Murrow HS Junior Chorus and Concert Band

MEANYC commends your efforts and thanks you for representing all of us so well.

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paul aSh

1929-2014

“I have always felt that the goal is to keep the reputation we inherited

from our father. Enhance it and protect it.

It’s not like we had a generic name like Musicland or something.

This is our family. Our father’s name. It’s the most important thing we own.”

– Paul Ash

great friendly vibe. Getting the opportunity to meet him and work with him was a true honor. Thank you Paul.

Alex Sarkis: As a former Mgr, visits from “Central” were always a mixed bag of emotions. Although when I saw Paul I always breathed a sigh of relief... He was quick to smile and had a peaceful way about him... I’m sure he will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Roland Perez: I had the plea-sure of talking with Paul several times. As we spoke, I pictured Paul as the captain of a huge ship. Navigating the ship that is Sam Ash, a huge family owned company. He kept things honest, true and real. Although i never met him face to face i felt as if i was part of his family. I, as well as everyone here at Sam Ash San Antonio will miss him.

Ralph Agresta: Oh no! This is sad news! Paul was always so nice and helpful to me during my time working at Sam Ash and at times before I worked there. He knew my father who owned and ran both the Mass-apequa Music Center as well as Keyboard Korner in Ronkonko-ma and from what I know they had a respectful relationship! He will be missed! RIP Paul! Now the Angels in heaven are making music, probably with instru-ments from your family’s stores!

Mike Papa: Loved Paul. A sweet gentle soft spoken person. A pleasure to be around and with. Big love to the Ash ex-tended family and for the fond memories of Paul.

Kevin Miller: I will always consider Sam Ash as my go to music store, just from his ideals and the way his employees treat me. Condolences.

Jimmy Brogan: My condolenc-es. He was a true gentleman and a credit to the industry. Spoke with him a few years back and it was wonderful. JB

Thom Sontag: I’m remember-ing the days Paul and I spent together when we were putting up the first two Sam Ash stores in Florida. He’d fly in every Wednesday, early A.M., and hit the ground running. We’d visit both locations to review and plan, and he’d fly home like it was just another day at the office.In his own unique way, he taught us all so much about life, business, and always doing the right thing.He was truly an amazing and wonderful man…Peace....

aTTn: prinCipal anD MuSiC STaFF

Make checks payable to MEANYC. Membership is valid for one year.Mail to: Steve Underhill, 28 Lawrence Ave., Apt. 4, Lynbrook, NY 11563

Music Educators Association of New York City –– Application For Membership(Please Type or Print All Information)

❑ Check here if information has not changed since last year

Salutation (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr)_______ First Name ____________________________ Last Name_____________________________________

Home Address_________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone or Cell ___________________________________________Work Phone _________________________________ Ext _____________Email (Personal) ______________________________ NYCDOE [email protected]

Membership Category (Check One) ❑ Educator $25.00 ❑ Retired $15.00 ❑ School/Corporation $75.00 ❑ College Student (free)

School or Organization __________________________________________________________________________________Level: ❑Elem. ❑MS/JHS ❑High School ❑OtherTeaching Area [s] ❑Vocal ❑ Strings ❑ Winds ❑ Percussion ❑ Other

❑I would like to attend an Executive Board meeting. ❑I am interested in the Mentoring Program.❑I PREFER TO GO GREEN AND RECEIVE LIMITED SNAIL MAIL❑I would like to contribute to the Scholarship Fund. ❑$10 ❑$25 ❑$50 ❑$______ Other Amount

✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄Cut along this line and mail this form with your check . ✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄

Michelle Turner508 East 78th Street; #2iNew York, NY 10075

CRESCENDOIn pursuit of quality music education for all children