Category: Music

An Especially Beautiful Version of Pharrell Williams’ Video, Happy

World Down Syndrome DayHere’s another remake of Pharrell William’s video, Happy. This one is especially beautiful as it’s a celebration of World Down Syndrome Day (March 21st). Lance Ulanoff, aptly describes the experience of watching this video.

“Watching people dance to almost any song is usually a happy experience. Watching those living with Down syndrome dance to the snappy beats of Pharrell’s soon-to-be-played-out “Happy” is something approaching joy” (Source).

The Art of Possibility

Benjamin Zander is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and on the faculty of the New England Conservatory. “Zander is a prophet of human potential…Watch as he helps unlock the boundless potential of a 15 year old cellist and teaches the entire…audience what it means to live in a world of possibility” (Source: Pop! Tech). Zander’s presentation is high-octane and will challenge your thinking about teaching and learning.



Here are just a few of the things that I really like about the presentation.

  • It’s low-tech (or no-tech) yet his message is clear and powerful.
  • I appreciate the downward spiral analogy and his point that negative comments are not statements of circumstances but rather a reflection of one’s attitude.
  • I’m a believer in goal setting and like the notion of learning contracts (as a means of students taking responsibility for their learning, setting their own goals and motivating students). I’ve approached this with a variety of strategies in my classes throughout the years, but I’ve never used the exact strategy that Zander shares. I’ve made a mental note of his idea, though, because I, as a learner, would really, really like his approach.
  • “Michelangelo…said in each piece of marble there is a beautiful statue. All you need is a hammer and a chisel just to get rid of the stone that is in the way of that beautiful statue. That is a theory of education! It’s not the one we use.”
  • I like his suggestion about how we should react to mistakes. What a change in attitude that would foster.
  • I cracked-up about the whole one-buttock-playing aside. You’ll have to watch it to find out what I’m talking about.
  • Kudos to his young participant, Nikolai, for his talent and bravery!
  • “Time doesn’t matter in possibility.” This rings true with me in so many ways.
  • A leader is one that can distinguish the downward spiral and has the capacity to refocus the nay-sayers on the possibilities and the vision.

Expand Your Music by Using Simplify

By Trevor Acy

Since getting an iPhone 3G back in July I have not stopped downloading applications. I could go on and on about tons of useful apps from social networking to utilities to sports, but that’s for another post. Last week another iPhone addicted friend of mine tuned me in to Simplifymedia and I’m about to try and do the same for you.

I shouldn’t describe this as a iPhone application, since it isn’t only that, but that is how I was introduced to it. It is actually a computer application. It is a quick and simple download from the Simplifymedia website that works a lot like an instant messenger program. You choose a screen name and then can add friends that have also created an account (up to 30 people!). It should be noted that Simplifymedia works on PC, Mac, and Linux systems. Now when you set up your account you can choose to share music from your iTunes, Winamp, or Rhythmbox accounts with your friends (and only your friends). When you are on your computer, any of your friends on Simplify can see that you’re active and can choose any of the music you have decided to share to listen to. No longer do you have to rip endless amounts of music from CDs, or spend a fortune on iTunes to get albums your friends already have. They are all yours, and for free.

Back to the iPhone. With an iPhone or iPod Touch you can download the Simplifymedia application from the application store and it works just like it does on your computer. Not only when you are home can you listen to your friends’ music but on the go as well. When you listen to as much music as I do, being able to expand your music library this quickly and for free was fantastic. And because you can have up to thirty friends on your account, it behooves you to get more people to download Simplify. Because the more friends you have on the larger your music library becomes. Again, it’s free and shares your music with only people you accept to share with.