Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Institute

Musical?

The dates are: Saturday, July to Sunday August 8, 2010.

The Suzuki Camp / Institute is located just outside the city of Pittsburgh at the Upper St. Clair High School. There is a state-of-the-art theatre facility, many large classrooms and several practice rooms available.

The Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Institute is all in one building making it easier for families with multiple children to attend.

We also offer on sight child care.

Accommodations are available at special rates at two nearby hotels: Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South, 164 Fort Couch Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 412-833-5300

Knights Inn (at I79 & S.R. 50), 111 Hickory Grade Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017, 412-221-8110

Teacher Institute courses are as follows:

Every Child Can!© with Katherine Monsour Barley

Violin

Unit 1 with Carrie Reuning-Hummel

Unit 3 with Marilyn O’Boyle

Cello

Units 2 & 3 with Nancy Hair

Flute

Units 2 & 3 with David Gerry

Guitar

Units 2 & 3 with Andrea Cannon

Piano

Unit 1 with Patricia Schaefer Pavlack

Changes and Additions to the Suzuki Piano Repertoire with Katherine Monsour Barley

Piano Plus with Jacqueline Herbein

Student Institute runs from August 1st – August 6th. We teach violin, viola, cello, flute, guitar and piano. The courses are as follows:

Pre-Twinkle Program  (age 5 and under) The fee is $200.00 for the week. The Pre-Twinkle program is for children who have begun lessons, but have not yet mastered the Twinkle variations. Parents must be present during all classes.

Book 1 Program  (age 5 and under) The fee is $240.00 for the week. The Book 1 program is for students already taking lessons in books 1 or 2 and includes: a one-hour master class, a one-hour group class and one elective.

Books 1 & 2 Program  (age 6 +) The fee is $255.00 for the week. The Books 1 & 2 program is for students age 6 and older who are already taking lessons in books 1 or 2 and includes: a one-hour master class, a one-hour group class and one elective.

Books 3 & Up Program  The fee is $285.00 for the week. The Books 3 & Up program is for students who are already taking lessons in books 3 and beyond and includes: a one-hour master class, a one-hour group class, a one-hour ensemble class, and one elective.

Parent Education These programs will be offered daily from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Under the direction of Enid Wood, these lectures by faculty members will enhance the institute experience for families.

The electives and ensembles include:

Music Together ®

Music Games

Musicianship

Choir

Musical Theatre

Folk Dancing

Piano for Other Instrumentalists

Guitar for Other Instrumentalists

Viola for Violinists

Sight Reading

Music and Movement

Chamber Music

Jazz and Fiddling Orchestra

Piano Ensemble

Guitar Ensemble

Flute Choir

Wishing Chair played Here!

House concert: hosts and talent!

Fw: Tea Party Battle Hymns Celebrated in Spin Magazine

By, Angie Ress, Staff Writer, http://RestoreTheRepublic.com

On page 28 of the 25th anniversary edition of Spin Magazine, Ted Nugent says, "Basically, these guys are telling the government to 'Leave me the f*** alone.'" in reference to the "Band of Patriots" single "Take Our Freedom Back" written by Glenn Hudson, Gary Franchi and Billy Worley.

"The Nuge" was on hand to provide punditry and interpretation for the April issue of Spin in the article titled, "Battle Hymns of the Republic". Spencer Kornhaber who penned the article provides a guide to the top 5 most popular Tea Party Anthems where the song produced by Franchi came in number #1.

Kornhaber writes of the Restore the Republic produced "Band of Patriots" song "Take Our Freedom Back", "It sounds like if Lynyrd Skynard cut their hair and featured pennywhistle solos."

"We wanted something that would evoke songs of old and inspire people to stand up," says Franchi on the pages of Spin Magazine. Kornhaber further clarifies Franchi's statements by pointing out the Revolutionary War as the founding inspiration for the Tea Party tune.

Three members of the "Band of Patriots", Glenn Hudson, Gary Franchi and Billy Worley stand out on a star spangled backdrop along with four other leading music figures of the Tea Party Revolution. Lisa Mei Norton, an Air Force vet who came in at number two and sang "A Revolution is Brewing".  Steve Vaus, a.k.a. Buck Howdy, came in third place with "We Must Take America Back". Nashville's Brion Butterbaugh who was inspired by Rick Santelli's now famous statements on CNBC in 2009 rounded out 4th place with "It's Time to Party". The self-described "proud black conservative" Lloyd Marcus, took fifth place with his song "American Tea Party Anthem".

When asked about the recent spotlight on the dedication of the "Band of Patriots" Franchi stated, "We're moving in fast, and we're going to take our freedom back town by town, iPod by iPod. The song is free but freedom isn't. Those who came before us paid a price so we could sing songs like this and I'll be damned before the 'War on Terror' is turned into the 'War on Liberty.'" Franchi's statements were made in light of the recent advisory, by security industry professionals to DHS, to raise the Terror Alert in response to the public outcry against the health care bill.

He continued, "This song is the anthem we march behind on the front lines of the new revolution and we're crossing over into popular culture thanks to Spin Magazine."

The "Band of Patriots" are:

Glenn Hudson - Songwriter, Lead Singer, Guitars, Vocals.
Billy Worley - Songwriter, Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals.
Gary Franchi - Lyricist, Poet, Video Director, Producer.
Bito Cruz - Guitars
Berto Gonzalez - Drums

Spin Magazine enjoys a monthly circulation volume of 462,000 and an audience of 1.8 million. Spin Magazine Online traffic reaches 4.2 million unique visitors and 48 million monthly page views.

Restore the Republic was co-founded by the late producer Aaron Russo who managed Bette Midler and is credited for booking Led Zepplin's first American gig at the famous Chicago hot spot the Kinetic Playground.

The music video of the "Band of Patriots" single, "Take Our Freedom Back" can be seen and downloaded in MP3 format at http://BandOfPatriots.US

# # #

RestoreTheRepublic.com, 3149 Dundee Rd #176, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, USA

Does it scale?

I went to a meeting about afterschool activities in Pittsburgh the other day.

By the way, another open informational meeting will be held for all and any afterschool providers on Friday, tomorrow, at 9 am (to 10) on the South Side on Sarah Street at the Brashear Association, right next to Phillips Elementary School. Join me there if you can.

There are lots of questions and issues that swirl around the whole concept of afterschool and getting the best for our kids -- while they are in school and out of it.

One of the questions was about scaling programs.

I look at swimming as an afterschool activity that scales -- and I don't mean like the skin of a fish either. Rather, we need to teach swimming to kids of all ages and even can have masters (adults) swimming. Plus, we can have and should have swim lessons at all our city pools -- in the schools. I want to lead a learn to swim enterprise that teaches swimming from the east end to the west end -- and all the places in between.

Here is another way to look at scales in a fun light.

CD Release Concert & Party at Our House on the South Side - Soon.

Feel invited:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpMGJjNDZkNTItN2U5Yi00ZTc3LWExMDAtZGRmYWI0MjVmOTM4&hl=en

Click the link to a one page PDF hosted as a public Google Document.

Wishing Chair

Flashback to 2007. Singers knock the prior administration. Never seen before music video!

Hearing Protection for Instrumental Student and Instructors

Loud sounds are the number one cause of permanent hearing loss and this type of hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. 

The result of noise exposure is ringing in the ears (tinnitus), poor pitch and loudness perception, and hearing loss.  Hearing loss impacts individuals across life activities – social, school, work, and home. 

School age children are the fastest growing population of noise-exposed individuals suffering from permanent hearing loss.  Day in and day out, instrumental music students (e.g., band and orchestra members) and their instructors are being exposed to potentially damaging levels of noise during practices and performances. 

Our goal is to educate instructors about these dangers and equip them and their students with appropriate non-custom musician earplugs.  The overall goal is to promote healthy listening habits in students that will last their whole lives.  This work is part of the Musicians’ Hearing Center which is part of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  We provide this program at no charge to the Pittsburgh Public Schools.  We are happy to come to schools and educate music instructors, students, and/or parents.  We supply non-custom musician earplugs to instrumental students and instructors (instructors are welcome to re-order each year and during the year if more earplugs are needed). 

A number of elementary, middle, and high schools already take advantage of this program.  If your school is interested in this program, contact Catherine Palmer (Director, Audiology, UPMC) at palmercv@upmc.edu or 412-647-6089. 

Providing hearing protection during instrumental practice and performance is no different from providing safety goggles during chemistry instruction or football helmets during football activities.  The sound levels achieved in group practice and performance (orchestra and band) are loud enough to damage hearing permanently over time.  Musician earplugs allow students and instructors to be exposed to a safe level of sound and maintains the fidelity of the sound so they can play and hear the music correctly.

Please feel free to forward this/advertise this wherever you think appropriate.

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas letter has turned into a Happy New Year letter.



Click the above -- as it is only 14 seconds long. Taken from my fuzzy, but new, Blackberry camera phone. I think I'm going to get another one as the camera is not working at all now.

Jazz Time

To enjoy, before her visit to Pittsburgh this weekend.

Parade in Bloomfield

Tribute to the Moon Walk

Our dear friend, Meg, from South Carolina, visits Pittsburgh for concert, July 8, in Mt. Lebo

National Public Radio commentator and acoustic singer-songwriter Meg Barnhouse (www.megbarnhouse.com), with Kiya Heartwood of Wishing Chair, will present songs, stories, and illumination at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 8, at 1240 Washington Road, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon (15228). $10. One Pittsburgh-area gig only, seating limited; e-mail amy4bruce8@verizon.net for reservations.

Bashing the guy on day 2

Yesterday, on election day, Kevin Acklin, I, went to the Allegheny County Election Department. He passed the papers necessary to get onto the ballot for the mayor's race in November 2009 as an Independent.

Today, the bashing has begun.

Folks, we don't need perfect.

Folks. Don't put him in a box either.

This song, "Don't Put Me In a Box" -- by Johnsmith, recorded at our house concert, fits for Kevin too.

Chris Chandler's MUSE AND WHIRLED RETORT April 2009

Updated from yesterday, keep reading:

Chris is one of my folk music friends. He always has something fun to report. This month bring some big news for him. We'll need to get him to perform again for us in Pittsburgh.

T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D.. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.

April 1, 2009
Vol X Issue vI
Silver Spring, MD

As I am sure by now most of you have heard, things are pretty a buzz here in chandler land. So I want to first say thanks all of the letters of congratulations for my most recent little blip of recognition on the National Radar screen. Thank you Thank You THANK YOU! It has been a trip!

For those of you who don't know, In Barack Obama's recent national town hall meeting, a question was asked to The President of the United States by YES! Little ol me! I couldnt believe it either, I am still kind of in shock. But all the hype at home afterwards made it even wilder.

It was a simple question really. It was about breaking up the banks. I guess that is why they picked it. But still - Wow! Truthfully, I logged on to ask the question more or less on a lark and didn't think much about it. Then I got an email (a You-Tube message actually) saying it was going to be used!

I mean it's not like I asked all of you to go out there and vote for my question like the people wanting him to address Marijuana legalization. My favorite oxymoron BTW: Marijuana Initiative.

Anyway, I digress. I asked that if the financial institutes are too big to fail what steps are being taken to break them up so they will no longer be too big to fail. His answer, you will recall (at least I thought) was pretty lame. Basically he said, "Tougher regulation." At first I was (honestly) kind of pissed. But then, the phone started ringing and emails started pouring in. Sheeze, I have been trying to get national attention for 20, now 21 years (technically 20 years and 11 months, but who is counting?) and I get more attention for this one thing I did as a lark than the 13 albums I have put out combined!

It was nice hearing from a bunch of people I hadn't heard from in a long time. My mother was impressed. I got a bunch of extra hits on my web page (although not as many as you would think after kind of having a conversation with the President of the United States.) OK, it wasn't in real time or linear, and wasn't really even a conversation at all, I just had my name and home town of Stone Mtn, GA read and then a little U-Tube clip of me reading a from a piece of paper in my bed room. But it was on national TV.

Can't I say I had a conversation with the President of the United States? Can't I have my little moment, just for a second? OK maybe not. It is pretty amazing how many people will contact you just from one little blip on the national media.

Three different people went to my website and then telephoned me to ask if we were related because we had the same last name. Really. One of them called at 2 AM in the morning! I am going to have to remove my cell number from my website.

Well, thats the way I thought about it. It was cool. (except for that) But then, I get an email to the chandler.org account from a company called Schwartz and Lowman who handle advertising for Wachovia Bank. They liked the question too.

Ya see Wachovia was recently bought by Wells-Fargo. They want people to know, that they have heard our concerns and they understand. So they are launching an ad campaign. "Wachovia, we are still in the neighborhood!"

These guys had gone as far as researching my past little newsletters and found the one where I talk about the bank account I had when I was a teenager, and how it got bought by someone and then by someone else and then by First Union and then by Wachovia. Now that Wachovia has been bought by Wells Fargo and they received TARP money, AND in the wake of the AIG bonus brew-ha-ha they want to launch an add campaign. That's where the ad company comes in.

They want me to tell MY story in an ad. "Wachovia, We're still the same bank."

They liked me -- Chris Chandler taking his concerns to the president, and They want people to know that they too are listening.

It's cool I read the first draft of the script day before yesterday. They liked the angle, of little ol broke nobody folk singer trying to make a living and taking his little bits of money to his neighborhood bank and then the bank gets bought and sold. So he manages to get on National Television to ask the president about his concerns. There is a shot of Wachovia executives watching in a big board room and then deciding to invest in a play ground at an inner city elementary school. WAY COOL!

I start the shoot in two weeks here in Silver Spring. So, to any of my stage hand friends that are reading this, I know where you can get some work. I kind of have an in!

Twenty years on the road and FINALLY Chandler catches a break. I am going to be featured in a national TV ad for Wachovia- Wells Fargo. "Wachovia, investing in Neighborhoods since 1953." The thing that honestly excites me, aside from a national Bank hearing my concerns and doing something about it, is the pay. I will make more from this one ad than I did in all of 2008 and 2007 combined!

If any of you know any entertainment lawyers out there I could use a hand because honesty I am in a little bit over my head. There is all this stuff in this contract I just got about my likeness being owned, and what happens if there are repeat commercials. Like what happens if I become like the "Mr Whipple." of Wachovia? Or The Maytag Repairman?

I mean stranger things have happened. But I can't think of any. Wow what a weird two weeks!

Yes, I am still doing the tour in May with Danny Dolinger. I don't think it is going to change that much its just I will be able to make a bit more of a comfortable living for this one commercial. YAY! To comfort. But, don't worry. I will still be keeping it on the road. Speaking of such I will see you between the white lines!

*************************
A.n.n.o.n.c.m.e.n.t.s.

The TV commercial should be running by late spring. I hope to be able to put an advance copy on my web site!
*****************************

As part of my contract Wachovia has agreed to forgive the $800 in bounced check charges was complaining about a few months ago. In exchange I have agreed to run an ad for them in this news letter for one year.

****************************

Danny Dolinger and I are STILL doing the NE tour in May. We have some holes in our calendar and would be willing to extend the tour on either end. See dates below.
In particular we would like something in Baltimore and DC.

***********************

Paul Benoit and I are looking for dates on the West coast for July for the Wachovia in your neighborhood House Concert Tour.
I haven't posted much but we have a lot of irons in the fire. We are looking for shows anywhere from Santa Cruz to Courtney, BC.
As well as a date in DC/Balto/Philly June 13 14ish He will be playing with me at X-Fest.

********************************

Paul Benoit and I are looking for dates in England and or Holland for August. Again, nothing is posted but We have some irons in the fire. If you can be of some help here please let us know.

*********************************

The Box set continues to do well. If you are interested in obtaining a boxed set featuring the best of the past twenty years on the road click here.
I can still sell the ones I have before I have to add the Wachovia Logo to it.

**********************************

I hope to have a book out for the summer that is a compendium of the best of the past ten years of this news letter. T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.

*********************************

I have a different featured video on my home page each month. I have not completed a new one since the last George Mann Project. I am still working on one for Anne Feeney.

*********************************

T.H.A.N.K. .Y.O.U.!
Edward Lowman and Neil Schwartz at Lowman and Schwartz, Barack Obama for answering and staff for picking my question, Jill Hirshorn at Wachovia, Shirley Myers, Anne Feeney, Celene de Loach, The Baltimore Poetry Slam, Brian QTN, Joe and Jay, EEQ, Pat Barnes, CD Baby

H.E.R.E.S. .D.A. .D.A.T.E.S.
(see comments)

http://chrischandler.org/

---

Here is the update:

The April 2nd Edition of The Muse and Whirled Retort from Chris Chandler
T.h.e. .M.u.s.e. .a.n.d. .W.h.i.r.l.e.d. .R.e.t.o.r.t.

The April the 2nd edition
April 2, 2009
Vol X Issue vi supplemental
Silver Spring, MD

APRIL FOOLS!

No, ladies and gentlemen - I am not now the Mr Whipple of Wachovia. But thanks so much for believing I was (those of you who did)

I am not sure if I enjoyed the letters of congratulations or the lengthy multi-paged screeds on the evils of Wachovia and how I am a major sell out.

Or even the little walks down memory lane from April Fools 5 years ago when I managed to convince many of you that I was now a motivational speaker for Lockheed Martin and would be opening for the Charley Daniels Band at the Paul Wolfowitz theatre in Langley, VA.

This time around, I managed to fool some of the smartest people I know. Zoinks!

I think my favorite might have been my own entertainment lawyer writing me asking, "What do you mean you need an entertainment lawyer?!"

Someone told me they had read it out in the blog-o-sphere first. HA! I have trouble traversing the Chandler-o-sphere so I will just imagine that part to be true.

OK OK. If any one of you had written me to say you asked a question in Barack Obama's town hall meeting I would have bought it.

Maybe I would have bought that anyone of you was becoming a spokes person for Wachovia. Where my BULL SH@#%*! Flag would have gone up is the fact that Wachovia Bank would hear our concerns and start investing in neighborhoods.

Now that IS a Whopper .

Well, in any event, I felt a second E-Mail is in order. Feel free to reply.

OK OK - I promise not to bug you guys with two E-Mails in a row like this often. I really try to make this strictly a once a month thing. I really do appreciate your kind words and thoughts.

I am going to wait to unsubscribe those of you who did so until after tomorrow in the hopes that this note will at least change some of your minds.

I won't bore y'all with another newsletter - other than to say

THANKS for all the responses.

I swear the people on this list are the absolute coolest folks on the planet!

And since so many of the coolest folks on the planet have asked -I

will give you a few highlights of what is really going on.

They tried to kills us. But we won. So, let's eat.

Words from the refrain from a Purim song by Dave Nachmanoff.

Kids on the radio on Saturday playing violin

Tune in to the Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show on Saturday from 10-10:30 AM to hear us do our new Irish music set as well as other fiddle, jazz and rock tunes. You can hear the show on the following stations

WRCT 88.3 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh
WIUP 90.1 Indiana University Indiana PA
WMCO 90.7 Muskingum U. Ohio
WSAJ 91.1 Grove City PA
WNJR 91.7 Washington & Jefferson U.
WCUV 91.7

Or on the internet from their site http://www.slbradio.com/

You may also come to see us do this remote broadcast at the Pittsburgh Center For The Arts at the corner of Fifth Ave. and Shady Ave. in Shadyside. It's their open house and open to the public free. We may also stick around for awhile and play a few more tunes in another area of the center.

Joe Jencks in Friendship House Concert, Feb 15

Friendship House Concerts

is proud to present

Joe Jencks

Sunday, February 15

4:00 p.m.

"Joe Jencks is the type of musician that will cause you to drop that morning newspaper or pull your car to the side of the road when you hear his songs. He is the type of artist that will turn heads in his direction when he walks onto a stage. His voice will instantly draw you into his passionate songs. He is the type of musician whose music will become part of you. His craft and artistry will remind you of the best efforts of Phil Ochs, Stan Rogers, and Woody Guthrie. The troubadour tradition is alive and well in the 21st century with the music of Joe Jencks." — Ron Olesko, WFDU–FM Teaneck, NJ

"A Joe Jencks concert is definitely not a visit to the inner world of some guy with a guitar who would like us all to sit still and listen politely. It's an occasion for singing, a contagious rising up of voices, an act of joy and defiance! …Tapping into the latent, nearly mystical beauty that a roomful of people can unleash by singing together." – Seattle Folklore Society

Joe Jencks is an award-winning songwriter. His career is based as much in ministering to the human spirit as it is in the performance of music. Joe has earned wide recognition for his songs about working people, and for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Joe manages to make everyone feel welcomed, valued, and part of a community.

Joe's latest release, The Candle And The Flame, combines the many facets of Joe's diverse musical background and weaves them all together into an aural tapestry that is stark and exquisite. Joe sings with the passion of an R & B/Gospel singer, the knowledge of a classical vocalist, the soul of an Irish Tenor, and the conscience of a troubadour. And at the center of Joe's music is an abiding love for all humanity, a love that transcends the everyday and boarders on the mystical.

Joe is a dual US/Irish citizen living in the US, and merges traditions from both countries in his eclectic and vibrant musical presentation. Joe has had the unique pleasure of sharing the stage with numerous folk artists including Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, Holly Near, John McCutcheon, Pat Humphries, and Bill Staines.

Check out Joe and his music at http://www.joejencks.com

Seating is limited.
For information and/or an invitation, call or email:

Llouise & Jim Altes

412.361.6051

friendshiphouseconcerts@gmail.com

Suggested donation: $10.00. All proceeds go to the performer.

After the concert, there will be a pot luck dinner. Please bring an entree, an hors d'oeuvre, a salad, a side dish, or dessert to share.

Other House Concerts we're aware of:

February 12 Allison Williams with Chance McCoy, 7:30 pm at Cindy & Ricks

March 22 Friction Farm http://www.frictionfarm.com

April 19 Jay Mankita http://www.jaymankita.com

May 17 Andrew McKnight http://www.andrewmcknight.net

Keep doing those deep knee bends!

This song is #1 in some distant planet out there.

Univ. of Florida has 49 alto sax players. One, Andrew, is my relative.

Andrew is playing at the game and is in the band. The Gator band will also be playing in the Super Bowl, pregame. Opportunities of a lifetime, says his mom, my cousin, Linda.

Linda played in the Florida Gator Band for three years when she was an undergrad. The first year, the team didn't win a game. The second year in the band, the team did slightly better. The third year, Florida football was on probation and the band didn't play at all.

I'm cheering for the Gators! Chomp, chomp.

Twitter is not 'Sooner-ish' today.