Great Picture

Just love this shot. So peaceful.

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Employee Wanted

Are you a Tertiary Music Student looking for Part-Time Work to do from home?
Crescendo Music is looking for you.

To apply for this job, you will need a computer (and good computing skills), access to the internet and Sibelius.

To have a look at what Crescendo does, pop onto www.crescendo.com.au.

For more information about this work, please contact Debbie O'Shea - debbie@crescendo.com.au.

Being present in the moment

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007
The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes: a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw the money in the hat without stopping and continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

Findings; No one knew this, but:
+ The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world
+ He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written
+ With a violin worth $3.5 million dollars
+ Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theatre in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro Station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people’s priorities.

The questions raised: ”In a common place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?”

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... How many other things are we missing?

September Newsletter Out Now

September newsletter is out now. If you missed your copy you can download it here. If you're not on the mailing list and would like to be, email debbie@crescendo.com.au and we'll make sure you dont miss out again.

Win a Rain Stick

Would you like to win one of these fantastic Rain Stick musical instruments? Have you ever used an Interactive White Board in your classroom? If the answer is yes to both these then we would love to hear from you.

We will be running a competition from now till 21st October, 2010. To win just let us know your ideas for using Interactive White Boards in your classroom. All entries go into the draw to win this cool Rain Stick.

This fantastic Rain Stick makes a great noise when tipped from one end to the other, making the sound of rain falling. Kids love this instrument. The Rain Stick is 60cm long and will make an excellent addition to your music classroom. Easy to use and lots of fun and it's a FREE TRADE Product.

To enter send your comment to debbie@crescendo.com.au or leave a comment here on the blog. All entries will be collated and put on the crescendo website to share. The winner will be announced in the October newsletter and here on the blog. Good luck. Let the entries roll in.

Jammin' with Jarms

Join highly acclaimed performer and composer, Paul Jarman as he bursts onto the stage with some of Brisbane's finest young singers.

Hear music which will excite, inspire and most of all send you away with a sense of joy in your soul!


Tickets $20 Adult $18 conc. at the door
Pre-booked tickets $18 Adult $15 conc.
Phone 3352 3200
emai:l rick@birralee.org

Featuring:
Brisbane Birralee Voices
The Birralee Blokes
Brisbane Boys College Singers
Brisbane Grammar School Chamber Choir
Eatons Hill State School Seniou Cjhoir
St Margaret's Anglican Girls School Senior Choir
Wellers Hill State School Senior Choir
Wellers Hill State School Vocal Ensemble