CTO ... Music Trumps Reading

Jamming with toddlers is a fun thing to do! But did you know that a recent study funded by the Australian Research Council shows that regular informal music-making with very young children may even have benefits above and beyond those of reading?

Check This Out ... In an analysis of data generated from a study involving more than 3,000 children, a University of Queensland team investigated the associations between informal home music education for very young children and later cognitive and social-emotional outcomes.

The team found that informal music-making in the home from the ages of two and three can lead to better literacy, numeracy, social skills, and attention / emotion regulation by the age of five. Last month, the team was awarded the inaugural Music Trust Award for Research into the Benefits of Music Education.

It's really all about the interaction. Whether banging on pots and pan, making up silly songs, dancing to a current favorite song ... just do it. Have fun playing with music!

Read all about it here: Benefits of Jamming with your Toddler

Witness a little informal toddler jam here:

Monday's Music

The earth has music for those who listen.  ~ Shakespeare

CTO ... Follow up to dulcimer use in tv / movie scores

Check This Out ... Theme from Game of Thrones on tandem dulcimer. Actually,  a cimbalom. Check it out! https://www.facebook.com/kaboompercussion87/?rc=p

Monday's Muse

If something is worth doing, do it now!  ~ Martha Stewart

CTO ... Hammered Dulcimer in Film Scores

Have you noticed? Apparently , the hammered dulcimer is getting more and more cameos in tv shows and films.

Check This Out ... Christy Mooers has put together a collection of examples of our favorite instrument being used in movie and tv scores, adding her commentary. Her article is posted on the Dusty Strings website blog. Read all about it and take a listen!

Monday's Muse

A great work of art is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty.  ~ Nadia Boulanger

CTO ... Dropping the Protective Armor of Stage Fright

Check This Out ... Miranda Wilson, cellist and writer, blogs about performance anxiety.

"Performance is one of the most vulnerable experiences known to humankind. And performance anxiety, its shadow side, is a universal experience. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or at the very top of your profession: you are up in front of others, exposing the most vulnerable part of yourself for the scrutiny of seemingly judgmental observers."

Read the entire article here: Miranda Wilson

Monday's Muse

When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have.  ~ E. W. Howe

CTO ... 2016 Tiny Desk Concert Contest Winner

Gaelynn Lea is the 2016 winner of npr's Tiny Desk concert contest. Tiny Desk features intimate video performances, recorded live at the desk of "All Songs Considered" host, Bob Boilen.

Check This Out ... From the Tiny Desk web site: "Gaelynn Lea has been playing violin for more than 20 years. She builds on a repertoire of traditional Celtic and American fiddle music, writing original songs that incorporate folk-rock influences, looping tracks, and an inventive improvisatory style. Gaelynn performs throughout northern Minnesota and Wisconsin and has collaborated with fellow Midwestern musicians Alan Sparhawk and Charlie Parr. She's also a dedicated fiddle teachaer and an advocate for artists an other people with disabilities."

"I love performing, but the thing that I try to remember — because I believe it's true — is that any kind of performance is really valuable, because every person is valuable. So I like playing at that pizza shop — I play there every other week. I've done that for like a year and a half. And I like playing on the boardwalk, because you get to play for little kids, and they always want you to play, like, "Itsy-Bitsy Spider," but they're excited about it and that's what matters.

I just think music in general is something that can really connect people, and it's just an honor and joy to be able to tap into that." ~ Gaelynn Lea

Gaelynn Lea's performance, March 11, 2016

Audie Cornish's interview with Gaelynn Lea