(Photo credit: FreeImages.com, photographer Cody Mummau)

I have only the fondest memories of sitting around a fireside with family or friends. On those crisp nights, often roasting marshmallows and engaging in stimulating conversation, these intimate moments were perfect for swapping stories and reminiscing about vacation plans, personal dreams, or even revisiting tales from “the good old days.” Somehow the fire brought us all together, cleared our troubles, and warmed our hearts!

Although I’m too young to have heard them personally, we all know the impact of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s official “fireside chats” during World War II, his interpreting the news, inspiring our hope, giving out assurances, advice, and perspective, while interconnecting the mutual bonds and unity of our citizenry for the common good.

Now that I am happily retired from full-time music teaching, I realize downsizing and eliminating all of the office clutter is absolutely necessary. Cleaning out the file cabinets, I was surprised to see how many articles I wrote specifically for my ensemble members… everything from practicing, goal-setting, and development of leadership skills to selecting a new instrument. When I was teaching in the Upper St. Clair School District, we had online “teacher pages” linked to the school website which allowed me to distribute and archive these “tips and techniques” for students, parents, and colleagues alike.

Relevant today now more than ever, I decided to edit and re-issue these “Fox’s Firesides” for the members of the South Hills Junior Orchestra (SHJO), which rehearses on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Upper St. Clair High School Band Room. (Anytime you’re in the area, stop by and bring your instrument: 1825 McLaughlin Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241).

Hopefully you will find these “gems” helpful. Under the category of “Fox’s Firesides,” this blog-site will warehouse these writings. This is a “Series to Share,” so please feel free to copy and pass them on to other music students, parents, amateur musicians, and teachers “in the trenches.”

SHJO is a nonprofit community orchestra for all ages. New members are welcome to join at any time. Here is our schedule/flier for the SHJO fall season 2019. For more information, go to www.shjo.org.

Feel free to download and share these articles:

FOX’S FIRESIDE #1: Practicing Makes Perfect?  PDF file

FOX’S FIRESIDE #2: Where Are the Models, Mentors, and Motivators?  PDF file

FOX’s FIRESIDE #3: Goals for the Musical Road to Success  PDF file

FOX’S FIRESIDE #4: Pizza, Batting Averages, and the “Ten Times Rule”  PDF file

SHJO.clips

• CLIP01 March 14, 2020
• CLIP02 March 17, 2020
• CLIP03 March 20, 2020
• CLIP04 March 23, 2020 and Sample Music Bingo Cards
• CLIP05 March 26, 2020, Music Reporter and What to Do When You Practice Booklet
• CLIP06 March 29, 2020
• CLIP07 April 1, 2020, I Am My Own Music Teacher Journal (WORD file) or (PDF)
• CLIP08 April 3, 2020
• CLIP09 April 7, 2020
• CLIP10 April 11, 2020
• CLIP11 April 16, 2020 (also click here to see sample practice journals)
• CLIP12 April 20, 2020
• CLIP13 April 24, 2020
• CLIP14 April 28, 2020
• CLIP15 May 1, 2020
• CLIP16 May 5, 2020
• CLIP17 May 10, 2020
• CLIP18 May 14, 2020
• CLIP19 May 18, 2020
• CLIP20 May 25, 2020
• CLIP21 May 31, 2020
• CLIP22 June 8, 2020
• CLIP23 June 16, 2020
• CLIP24 June 23, 2020
• CLIP25 June 30, 2020
• CLIP26 July 7, 2020
• CLIP27 July 14, 2020
• CLIP28 July 21, 2020
• CLIP29 July 28, 2020
• CLIP30 August 4, 2020
• CLIP31 August 10, 2020
• CLIP32 August 18, 2020
• CLIP33 August 25, 2020
• CLIP34 September 1, 2020
• CLIP35 September 8, 2020
• CLIP36 September 15, 2020
• CLIP37 September 22, 2020
• CLIP38 September 29, 2020
• CLIP39 October 5-6, 2020
• CLIP40 October 12-13, 2020
• CLIP41 October 20, 2020
• CLIP42 October 27, 2020
• CLIP43 November 3, 2020
• CLIP44 November 10, 2020
• CLIP45 November 17, 2020
• CLIP46 November 24, 2020
• CLIP47 November 27-28, 2020
• CLIP48 December 7, 2020
• CLIP49 December 13, 2020
• CLIP50 December 28, 2020

CLIP JOURNAL        Interactive Clip Journal 042820

PERSONAL PROJECT

Online Music Reflections – a better way to record your critiques, practice diaries, listening logs, and clip journals.

Use this form for all reflections

Please continue your “online” musical journey, pursuit of artistic enrichment, and consistent “at home” practice!

Rhythm Book for Warmups

Twelve-Tone Sudoku

Plan-A-Concert Project

Music in Our Lives INTERVIEW

What Makes This Song Great – Rubric

Practicing with a Plan (attributed to Dan Urbanowicz from Peters Township)

STUDY AT HOME Music Appreciation – 3 week plan – Grades 9 to 12 PDF

STUDY AT HOME Music Appreciation – 3 week plan – Grades 9 to 12 WORD