Brent Holl's Busy Season of Orff Workshops and Marimba Building

I'm sitting in the airport in Charlotte eating a little afternoon snack at Phillips Seafood waiting for my flight to Tampa.  I'll be leading a workshop for the good folk in the Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of the AOSA tomorrow from 9 til 3.  I'm looking forward to it.  If you'd like to take a look at the notes, feel free!

We'll go through some of my favorite activities that begin the year.  Some of them will be taken from Canons Too!, some from Ensemble, and one will be a very cool piece from Steven Kennedy's new book, The Crescent City Collection, just released this week.  In fact, the first 5 copies are in my suitcase for the bookstore at the Tampa Workshop.

This is the beginning of a very busy workshop season for me.  In addition to this session in Tampa, I'll be leading three marimba-making workshops around Virginia.  These sessions are wonderful because they let me get back into the music classes and work with kids.  I help them make beautiful new marimbas for their music classrooms based on the great book from Jon Madin, Make Your Own Marimbas. At the end of September I'll be in Rural Retreat, Virginia at the elementary school there and in October I'll be near my hometown of Bridgewater working with Cub Run Elementary in East Rockingham County before heading off to Roanoke to help the kids at Highland Park Elementary.

This is what we do at the Marimba workshops.  Enjoy!

After all of that, I'm off to the North Carolina MEA in Winston-Salem to help Michael Nichols do a couple of sessions and then we head off together to the AOSA conference in St. Louis.  The time will go quickly, but it seems like a looooong time till Thanksgiving. Off we go!

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Rob Amchin in China Part 2

Beatin' Path author and composer, Rob Amchin, has been in China for almost 2 weeks now, touring and teaching at various sites throughout the country.  Here are some of his observations.

We've been traveling on three lane roads turning into five lanes with pedestrians walking with babies across the street. Motorcycles and bicycles are everywhere and everyone seems to be honking their horns for no apparent reason except to warn the other guys that they are cutting into the traffic. (They are close enough that you can put your arm into the window of the next car.)  It's amazing, wild, and so crazy that we are holding our breath most of the time we're moving along the roads.

The taxi was a buck to go cross town

And oh my the dirt... street cleaners always have streets to broom.  Floors are washed with dirty mops.  I love it! And the people are beautiful.

Fireworks every other night..... Wedding celebrations bring fireworks. This does not make for happy sleeping but it is festive, exciting  and memorable.

For this in-service Deb had them playing stick games with chop sticks.... pretty funny replacement for rhythm sticks but they have billions of chop sticks here!

Exploring legato movement to traditional music

Attendees to the training session--Rob presented the first three days of the 10 day training session.

Teachers here have responded well to my teaching because of my work in the past two years.  Working last year in the Xiang-e mountain school helping the victims of the 2008 earthwake has been recognized and applauded.  I am still receiving gifts of appreciation for this.

I will write about the Xiang-e school, which was destroyed in the horrible earthquake in Sichuan province in May 2008.  Many children died as a result of school dormitories being destroyed during the devastation.  With an international determination, the school was rebuilt and became the most structurally sound building in the small mountain village just 10 minutes from Dujianyan, a city near Chengdu.  The reconstructed school was built with a fine arts wing with the goal of using the arts to help students heal in the horrible disaster.  An Orff program and music therapy training was suggested and I was the first westerner to go the newly constructed school.  I helped the music volunteers unload their instruments and to begin learning how the Orff approach could be of musical and therapeutic benefit to children.  I was able to present an in-service to teachers in the region about Orff pedagogy.  While we were not able to go to Xiang-e school this trip since it was summer recess, I'm hoping to return to this community and be a partner in the healing of this community.

Discussing Orff Schulwerk with the President of the China Orff Schulwerk Association.

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Rob Amchin Goes to China!

Rob Amchin has been writing books for Beatin' Path Publications since 1997. His titles include, Recorder Frolics, Alto Antics, Moods & Modes, Spring Songs, Autumn Songs and a currently underway project with the working title, Mixed Pickles. He's taught many times overseas including courses and workshops in Russia and Poland. This week he's in China with his wife Deb touring and presenting Orff workshops for the teachers there.

Rob was an invited presenter to the National Conference on Art Education for Rural Children in China. He gave three 6-hour presentations focusing on fundamental strategies in Schulwerk pedagogy. The conference took place in Xining, the capital of Qinhia Province in Central China from July 27-29, 2012. The Qinghai Normal Universtiy hosted the event. The 150 participants sang, folk danced, sang, improvised using movement, body percussion and instruments, made new discoveries using their own poetry and children's games, created new choreographies to music by Handel and Saint-Saëns, while learning the fundamental pedagogical goals of Orff teaching.

Rob taught a children's group as part of the event. Rob's wife, Deb, helped in giving short lectures on early childhood, Montessori, and children's singing voice. As a closing activity, participants shared their native folk songs and children's games and sang Viva la Musica.

This is Rob's second trip to China and he's hoping to return annually to plant the seeds for more Orff studies for the teachers there. There is a wide interest in Orff teaching and Rob's hoping to help it's development in China.
Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Great News and New Products

Drum It Up! a great new book by Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg should arrive any day now. Pre-orders have been coming in and folks are really going to be pleased with this new book. Sandy and Gretchen's conference sessions and level courses have been hugely popular for many years and the activities in this book are the best of the best activities for drums of all kinds in the elementary music classroom. The extra bonus in this book are the extensive lesson plans written in a beautiful, sequential, easy-to-understand style using the Orff process.

The newest publication from Beatin' Path is well underway. Steven Kennedy, a native of New Orleans and lead music teacher at the Wilson Charter School in New Orleans, is writing a new marimba book of original tunes and arrangements of songs from New Orleans. These tunes echo the grooves of music legends, Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair, James Booker, Buddy Bolden, and John Boutte. It also includes some widely known folk tunes associated with New Orleans like, "When the Saints go Marching in" and "Great Big House in New Orleans." Steve is hard at work on this new volume and we expect it to go to press in just a few weeks. Check back here for more news!

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Free Stuff on Judy Sills' Website

There's some treasure to be found in them thar hills friends...  A pretty well kept secret is ready to see the light of day. Buried deep in the Beatin' Path website is a new FREE collection of activities, songs for elementary music classes with Orff process and complete lesson plans.  Free Web Songs is a pdf file that can be downloaded and printed on your own printer.

Download free songs and lesson plans here.

Judy used this as a free testing ground for new materials that she has presented at workshops and level courses both in the USA and Canada.  Some of these materials may find their way into publications in the future, some may stay free forever!  All of these songs have full Orff orchestrations and full lesson plans written by a true Orff master teacher. 

All of these songs and activities are previously unpublished. Judy says,  "Help yourself!"

Download Free Web Songs by Judy Sills 

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Jon Madin's First Book, Marimba Music 1 Now Available!

Marimba Music 1 (book/CD) is a collection of easy pieces for diatonic marimbas, xylophones and other instruments. Each piece has simple and more challenging parts. All pieces have been extensively classroom tested and are suitable for children aged 8 to adults.

Included is a professionally produced audio CD of complete performances of each song.  The arrangements are suitable for movement, listening, or playing along. View and listen to a preview on his website.

http://www.beatinpathpublications.com/JMadin/home.html

Marimba Music 1 was first published in Australia in 1994 and has proven it’s value over and over.  During Jon Madin’s visit to the USA in 1997, this book along with several of his following publications were introduced.  They have been available on a limited basis in North America but now Beatin’ Path Publications is the publisher and distributor in North America for all of Jon Madin’s wonderful publications for elementary school music classes. To see all of his publications visit his website.

I was lucky enough to attend Jon's sessions at the Seattle AOSA conference in 1997 and was completely won over by his friendly, inclusive style of teaching.  I immediately came back to my home school and began to make marimbas and play these wonderful songs.  I've helped build 16 Aussies and Bass Marimbas since that wonderful conference.  I recommend this as well as his other fine books.


Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Marimba Music 1 Now Available from Beatin' Path Publications, LLC

The long wait is over!  Jon Madin's very first book of marimba tunes for kids is now available from Beatin' Path Publications.  Since Jon decided to distribute his books in North America with us, his six  books have come online one at a time.  They are all now available for music teachers all over the country.

Marimba Music 1 is full of great tunes with complete lesson plan suggestions.  Some of the tunes are songs that are accompanied with marimbas, some are instrumentals for dancing.  I used this book and Marimba Music 2 as 'go to' materials during my career at Stewart Middle school ever since I saw and met Jon in 1997 at the Seattle national Orff conference.  Talk about a life changer! Jon is an incredible teacher, inventor and writer and his work made a huge difference in my teaching.  This one, as well as his other 5 books, are well worth checking out.

http://www.beatinpathpublications.com/JMadin/home.html

Marimba Music - 1 (Book/CD) - is a collection of easy pieces for diatonic marimbas, xylophones and other instruments. Each piece has simple and more challenging parts. All pieces have been extensively classroom tested and are suitable for children aged 8 to adults. Each piece has extensive suggestions for lesson plans and includes instrumentals, songs, and dances.

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

New Releases and New Projects at Beatin' Path

Well, Drum It Up, that fantastic new book of drumming activities is off to the printer this morning.  Sandy and Gretchen are ecstatic with the birth of this new 'baby.' Both of these fine musicians have been teaching for 25 years+, have lead workshops and sessions nationally and at the state level, and are very highly regarded as Orff Levels Instructors.  They've finished their first opus and are looking forward to publishing more of their tried and true classroom tested material.  Look for much more from this dynamic duo!

Meanwhile, Steven Kennedy, lead music teacher at the Andrew Wilson Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, is in the midst of a brand new project for his marimba ensemble.  He's arranged and composed 10 tunes from the heritage of New Orleans music.  With such a rich cultural tradition to draw from, his capture of the essence of New Orleans music and it's application to his school kids will be a wonderful addition to the collection of Orff music for marimbas.

The highlight of this new collection is the Treme Song by John Boutte.  This great tune was used on the recent HBO TV hit "Treme." Mr. Boutte has graciously allowed Steve to arrange the tune for his kids and include in this book.  I can't wait to see how it will be received.  It should be a fun piece to play.

We'll work this summer to finish this project and hopefully release the book with a CD in early September.  Stay tuned!


Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Marimba Music for Little Kids - Just Released!

Beatin' Path Publications has just released Marimba Music for Little Kids (book/CD) – 18 songs for younger elementary students to sing and play on diatonic marimbas or xylophones. (BPP-MM4LK) by Jon Madin ($34.95)

Beatin’ Path Publications is now the publisher and distributor in North America for all of Jon Madin’s wonderful publications for elementary school music classes. To see all of his publications visit his website:

http://beatinpathpublications.com/JMadin/home.html

Marimba Music for Little Kids is a collection of songs and pieces of music for diatonic marimbas, xylophones and other instruments. These songs are suitable for children ages 5-10 (some can easily be adapted for older children too). The songs for the youngest children have actions and only a few notes to find.  Suggested retail price for Marimba Music for Little Kids (book/CD) (BPP-MM4LK) is $34.95.

Available NOW from: Beatin' Path Publications LLC, 302 East College Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812 - 540-478-4833 - beatinpath@mac.com

School and dealer discounts available. More Marimba music for schools can be found on the Beatin' Path website.

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Galax Dulcimer Book/CD Already a Best Seller!

Galax Dulcimer by Phyllis Gaskins is an amazing book!  First of all it's beautiful to look through, and the included CD is a wonderful experience in listening, learning and playing along.  With full-color photos and a riveting narrative the book simply cannot be put down until read and perused from cover to cover.

Phyllis has collected pictures and stories about dulcimers and especially, dulcimers from the Galax region of Southwest Virginia, for almost 50 years and has finally taken the time to share her vast experience and knowledge for the huge benefit of her fans, students, and fellow musicians.  She joined forces with Brent Holl at Beatin' Path Publications to finally publish her story and her music.

Galax Dulcimer is a storybook, a photo album, and a historical document all in one. The history section tells the story of her relationship with various dulcimer players/builders in the Galax tradition including, Raymond Melton and Ben Seymour.  Some of the original plans for building dulcimers are included an look as though they've been taken from the original sketchs.  There is even an X-Ray image of the unique construction of the inside bracing of a Galax dulcimer.

There are 42 songs notated in authentic Galax style using Phyllis's own unique tablature.  The strumming pattern she uses is a distinct style with the strong beats strummed toward your body.  Her tab shows exactly how to play the tunes and what strumming strokes enable the tunes to be played in the authentic style. Wow!  Passing on the history and style of this amazing music like this is an incredible gift.

The audio CD is professionally produced at BeArcade Productions in Port Republic, VA and can be enjoyed by listening, but is intended as a teaching tool for playing along.  Phyllis has played each tune slowly once and then twice up to speed.  It's an excellent way to learn these old time tunes.

If you're not a dulcimer player you can enjoy the stories and history, and then play all the tunes on your violin, banjo, mandolin, or any other instrument of your choosing.  Her website has a nice slideshow and preview to see and listen to her music.

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com

Drum It Up! - 20 Classroom Drumming Pieces for K-5 By Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg

Drum it up - (Book) 20 Classroom Drumming Pieces for K-5 By Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg

Work is progressing nicely on the new book of drumming activities for elementary music now being written by Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg.  Drum It Up! includes 20 pieces that have been tried and tested with children in Sandy and Gretchen's respective classrooms and are, hands down, the favorites.

The new book will be available in time for the new school year and you can pre-order your copy to be sure you get yours! You can go to their website and take a look at sessions and workshops they've led using activities in the book.  The new book includes pieces for grades K - 6.

The 20 pieces in this book are sequential drumming pieces for hand drums, barrel drums, tubanos, congas, and small percussion.  You'll find everything from easy hand drum pieces using the echo process, to show stoppers with black light beaters or sock mallets circling and beating on giant barrel drums! 

All of these pieces are tried and true, used many times with great success with children and in Level courses, workshops, and conference sessions. Each piece comes with teaching suggestions that will start your creative juices flowing. 

"Teaching suggestions and form are merely ways for you to begin. As you play with the pieces and teaching processes, you and your students will discover new ways of teaching and learning within your own classroom percussion ensembles. In addition, student feedback can be a phenomenal way to create new and exciting extensions to these pieces. We encourage you to continuously “think outside the box” and to give your students the poetic license to do the same."

~Sandy and Gretchen

More information

Brent Holl - beatinpath@mac.com