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First Ever Touring Youth Rock & Roll Music Camp Now Offering Two Popular Rock & Electronic Summer Programs for 2008

By admin on Nov. 15, 2009.
Adv. Vikram Swaran Singh Chadha asked:


Parents of youth, age 12-18, looking for a creative environment for their budding young musicians, will now have more opportunity to grab a spot in The Collective Sound (TCS) Music Academy’s signature touring Summer Rock & Roll Music Camp with, not one, but two Summer Sessions for 2008. An expected 100 youth will gather from around the globe at the CSU Chico campus for three-week sessions running from July 6th-25th and July 20th-August 8th, to write, record, and perform their own collaborations, create music videos, epks, and band photos, and open for headliners along the three-stop Element Youth Movement Coop Tour – a collaborative art, music, and educational event with the Boys and Girls Club of America and Element Skateboards. The co-ed music camps accept all levels of musicians with a focus on guitar, bass, drums, voice, keyboard/piano and electronic music. Visit www.thecollectivesound.com for registration and scholarship information. Registration ends July 1, 2008.



The Collective Sound Summer Music Academy

The Collective Sound Music Academy, a non-profit, has been filling a gap in youth music education for over a decade, with programming that focuses on collaboration and creativity in current music genre. Working with music industry leaders such as Capitol Records, Volcom Entertainment, Sabian, the D’Addario Foundation, Gallien-Krueger, Gretsch Drums, Gibraltar, Dunlop, Roland, Digidesign, Yamaha, and Genz-Benz as well as music teachers, students will not only experience the creative process and hone their instrumental and technical skills, but will get a good look at the music industry.

 

“Much of what’s taught in school music programs today is repetition of selected traditional music…with little emphasis on the collaborative process that is inherent in writing and performing music” says TCS Founder, Zac Smith. “In today’s scene, creativity is key and the use of a sampler or software application is as relevant as, say, the use of a trumpet. Our goal is to present youth from varying socio-economic backgrounds with an outlet for creative expression through the vehicle of current music trends.”

According to Smith, kids not only compose their music for live performance, they also produce additional creative media content in the form of band photos, recordings, midi compositions, music videos, electronic press kits, and online profiles, giving them the tools needed by today’s do-it-yourself musicians.

“TCS showed me that playing the drums is not just a hobby, but something that I can actually do for the rest of my life,” says student Lane Beckstrom. “There are a variety of youth based programs out there that involve sports and other activities, yet it is peculiar that creative expression through music has few guided and funded options. It is a valid plight to offer youth a platform to conceptualize and bring to fruition their musical ideas, while teaching them the value working and communicating with others in developing an idea. Our foundation is promoting and empowering young musicians and developing their confidence in their creative and musical potential.”

Highlights from last year’s summer music camp, including watching the kids work on a music video for award-winning Australian artist, Ben Lee, can be seen in the Web Series “Let it Be Heard…” – The Story of the Collective Sound at: www.thecollectivesound.com.

“As soon as camp was over, I couldn’t wait for it to start up again,” says last year student, Andrew Rywak.

For more information, visit www.thecollectivesound.com, email info @ thecollectivesound.com, or call 530-354-4045.



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Music Education Resources and Tips for Teachers

By admin on Oct. 19, 2009.
Music Teacher asked:


Music education has been included in many curricula in different nations around the globe. However, since not all students are musically-inclined, not all of them are motivated to learn music. As a result, they are no longer excited to experience formal music schooling inside their classrooms. With this conflict of interests, music teachers are then challenged or pressured on how they could make their students learn and love music at the same time.

To basically adhere to the problem, they are determined to research the latest music teachers’ resources. Since both teaching and learning are two dynamic processes, music teachers and their students should meet half way – adjusting to the kind of individuals they are.

And because they are up to music education, these music teachers need to update their lists and records with the most modern trends and techniques, which are believed to be very effective and influential with the kind of students they have right now. From time to time, there could have been new music teachers’ resources that could improve their teaching strategies as well as their way of relating to their dear students.

Today, music educators incorporate theories and application to give a well-rounded musical experience and to teach music in various perspectives intended for international understanding. To meet many demands and expectations of their students, music teachers keep on upgrading their available music teachers’ resources by doing some researches over the Internet. In just a matter of few clicks, they would be aware of what is really the latest in the music academe as well as the newest style and approach in teaching that they can utilize in their everyday instruction.

The perceived effort to enhance music teachers’ resources also results in a greater number of students, who are now more motivated and determined to learn and love music. When their music teachers use some personal touches as part of their resources – sharing their own insights, thoughts and experiences on a particular topic, the learners become more eager to attend to their music classes and listen to their classroom discussions. This happens simply because they feel that they have something to relate to and such experience could also happen to them in time.

Indeed, teaching and learning music can be both fun and enjoyable. Just like in real life and in our daily activities, when we integrate music into anything that we do, it amazingly turns out to be more special and a lot of fun. After all, music gives most of us such inspiration and motivation to look forward to something better and brighter. Love music and enjoy tomorrow. 

This music education website offers many useful music teachers resources and tips. Visit it now.



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Creative Music Teachers Resources: Effective Ways to Motivation

By admin on Sep. 28, 2009.
Music Teacher asked:


Most music teachers consider teaching music to their dear students both their profession and passion. Most of them have the heart for arts and music – making each student love learning music and music as a whole. With this kind of outlook and disposition in teaching music, the inspired and motivated music teacher tends to begin his search for consistent improvement in his teaching strategies as well as his effort for personal and professional growth.

Indeed, there is a wide variety of creative music teachers resources that students can certainly enjoy and get excited working on with. According to studies, the integration of audio and video recording in music education has been an effective technique to catch the attention and grab the interest of the learners. This is believed to be an effective tool in raising the level of interest and motivation among music learners.

Current practice in music teaching favors a practical and a hands-on approach in emphasizing performance and composition. The use of recorded music as a teaching resource has tended to take a back seat. However, recordings are the predominant vehicle of musical experience today. As the students are expert listeners to recorded sound, major developments in the access to and presentation of recorded music are opening up new educational possibilities to most of them.

Targeted to be implemented in most music classrooms, the production and engineering aspects of recorded sound to online music libraries and teachers’ experiences of using recordings in the classroom have been randomly practiced and taken into consideration.

When a classroom setting has a relaxed atmosphere, informal learning may take place yet anxiety, tension and pressure would neither rule the learning situation. Hence, when there is relaxed supervision with no teachers behind the desk, the students would be more eager and interested to learn music. Students may also work in groups – giving them more chances of friendship and peer support. In this case, cooperative learning is found effective. The music teacher may encourage the students choose various musical instruments of their choice and eventually master such.

After they finish recording, they may organize or set-up a short play or a mini-concert to show their rendition of songs and other performances. These activities can heighten the learning process as they get too excited in meeting their objectives and getting high grades. These can also help them boost enough self-confidence and self-esteem. Through these music teachers’ resources, the music teacher tends to meet most of his objectives all at the same time.

These creative techniques in music education intend to motivate the learners from different ages and with different lifestyles. So start your quest to amazingly creative music teachers resources now. Be inspired to share your knowledge as well as the joys of music to your students. Make them realize that learning music is fun so they have to do it all by heart. Happy teaching!

Get to know more music teachers resources, visit this music teacher’s website.

A Teacher’s Passion for Music



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Internet Radio Networks – the Brave New Face of Online Entertainment

By admin on Sep. 15, 2009.
Simon Churchgate asked:


Internet radios are the latest rage in cyberspace. It is but a natural culmination in the continuing evolution of the Internet. This is the era of e-mails, e-commerce, e-shopping, and e-radios or Internet radio. Internet radio networks are what everybody is talking about these days. And rightly so. After e-mails and e-commerce, e-radios are poised to be the next big thing.

Internet radio, however, is not a very novel innovation. In other words, Internet radio networks have been around for quite some time now. It is only recently, with the proliferation of Internet technology and faster connectivity, that the phenomenon called Internet radio has truly come of age. Today, the listener is pampered with a bevy of channels (or stations), catering to specific areas of interest. This is becoming a standard feature of Internet radio networks that serve music online. The listener can tune into any of dozens of stations covering such genres as Classic Rock, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Jazz, 80s music, 70s music, Oldies, New Age, Reggae, Country, Latin, Euro, Ambient, Lounge, Progressive, Techno and what not. Hours and hours of uninterrupted music at no cost – that’s the magnitude of the entertainment provided by Internet radio networks.

Among the most popular Internet radio networks are the ones that feature Internet Talk Radio. Streaming talk shows and discussions on a wide range of subjects have made them popular among serious listeners or those who carve for something more than just music from their e-radios. Internet talk radio programs host various talk shows with specialists on different subject matters who anchor the show.

While traditional radio broadcasters have often used the Internet to advertise or promote their shows, Internet radio technology has actually revolutionized the concept and simple programming requirements have taken it to the extent where individuals, organizations or anyone for that matter, can easily host their own Internet talk radio station from the comfort of their home.

Internet radio networks use many different methods for creating the audio stream source. Some of these include using the SHOUTcast service, which utilizes Winamp and the SHOUTcast DSP plugin to deliver MP3 audio at higher bitrates. Other methods include open source technologies such as Streamcast, stream-db, IceS, and MuSE, and patent-free data formats such as Ogg Vorbis. Using open source stream source tools allows for interesting web interface possibilities like phpStreamcast. Other applications include Broadwave which delivers audio in mp3 and relies on the listener’s default media player to open the stream.

Internet radio networks like Voice America make it easier to host your own Internet talk radio show. Such Internet radio networks not only provide you with the technology to host your Internet radio show but also give you a complete package of Internet streaming media broadcasting, proven support services in web, marketing, and interactive solutions that help you to make your mark and your presence known to the ever increasing Internet audience. If you are planning to host your own Internet talk radio, it’s worth contacting Internet radio networks like Voice America.



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Halloween Radion Online

By admin on Sep. 10, 2009.

Online radio is booming. Are you looking for some spooky streams to listen to for a Halloween party? Or to broadcast out your window on Halloween night? Then check out Musique Macabre here you’ll find music all the time, old favorites, monster novelties, horror movie soundtracts or  just plane ol horror rock.

Did you know that Halloween came from the Celts of Ireland? American emigrants brought over this wonderful celebration a long time ago. Get more information about the History of Halloween in America here.

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Why Would People Talk About Potty Training Puppies On The Radio?

By admin on Jul. 18, 2009.

Potty training puppies, aliens, cheating husbands, politics, movie stars and numerous other topics are all fair game for talk radio.  Why?  Because these are the things people talk about everyday.

Ever since 1895 when Guglielmo Marconi (who has been called the father of radio) introduced the radio, broadcasters have been looking for content to send out over the airwaves.

At first, it was live musicians, singers, announcers, actors and comedians who provided entertainment for the people who crowed around their radios.  When the phonograph/record player became popular, records and then CDs replaced live musicians.

As time went on, local stations were swallowed by networks and the stops on the radio dial started to all sound the same as music was programmed according to the demographics and physcographics.

Then, campus and college radio stations broke the mold by doing it their way through individuality.  These stations started to attract listeners from the cookie-cutter stations.  Networks took notice of this and started to humanize and personalize with the introduction of talk radio and ‘personalities’ talking about anything and everything.

Internet radio took this one step further by targeting smaller, niche markets.  While the networks must generalize because of costs, internet radio can operate on a show string budget.

So, there you have it, there is room for talking about potty training a puppy along side of a discussion of aliens and the latest entertainment news.  Radio truly is ‘a something for everyone’ medium.

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The Lead of Music Teaching Resources Today

By admin on Jul. 8, 2009.
Music Teacher asked:


Have you experienced holding a guitar or any musical instruments? Do you know something about it aside from its being a musical instrument? Do you know how to play it? Or have you asked a friend to tutor you and yet you see yourself so upset because you can’t still figure out how it goes?

For those who have just acquired the interest in music as well as for those who have been music enthusiasts for quite a long time, you should not worry anymore! There are abundant resources available in the present that can be used to learn music easily.

Afar from the traditional way of teaching music which is purely theoretical, it evolves from a complex approach to a more practical type. Such happens with the help of the advanced technology.

Consequently, there are new trends of teaching and learning music as well as those musical instruments. One is by utilizing advanced music teaching gadgets, which are considered as some of the most useful music teaching resources nowadays.

For an instance, there is this digital piano that lights its teeth up while playing a recorded music piece. The user will just have to press the keys that light and in an instant – he can now play a music piece with his high-tech keyboard. It is no wonder how these gadgets brought an enormous impact to the music industry!

It is also true that the Internet can also be one of the helpful music teaching resources at the present. One can simply know more about the latest gadgets, updated inputs and much innovation by just browsing the net with some few clicks. That surely makes such easy access to music teaching resources. Now, isn’t it really amazing?

The web or the Internet is highly regarded as an effective medium to provide a wide scope of information in almost any subjects. It is renowned globally for it caters to the need of everyone especially in terms of communication and research. Undoubtedly, it is another functional music teaching resource; certainly, something that music educators can exploit with when it comes to obtaining music teaching strategies.

Most music teaching resources in the recent past such as books and fellow music teachers seem to be just references while these new advanced ones are combined ‘references’ with great  ‘advantages’ and accessibility.

With this channel, burden in teaching is almost eliminated or lessened by web and online venture on the part of music educators. As a result, they can easily download activities, quizzes, and games to be used as their teaching instruments and techniques – unlike before when they needed to improvise on their own.

On the other light, students can learn music and other related matters on their own. They can surely enjoy music more while learning it with interactive activities online. As they put in their full attention into it and be able to give in time and effort, these kinds of innovative activities truly promote both rational and creative thinking.

The new technology of music – teaching and learning – is definitely more effective than those conventional ones.

For the most credible and helpful music teaching resources, log on to Music Teachers blog.



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How Boomers Can Sing Rock & Roll Instead of the Blues

By admin on Jun. 14, 2009.
Phyllis Goldberg asked:


The new Pew Research Center Social and Demographic Trends survey measured dissatisfaction and pessimism in close to 2500 participants. The data indicates that Baby Boomers worry more than any other generation. And a recent study from the University of Chicago suggests that the boomer generation has never really been happy. One hypothesis is that they grew up wanting to make the world a better place – and it’s not.

No one could deny that the national conversation has become depressing. Some find it hard to get up in the morning, when all they hear about is tumbling home prices, the war in Afghanistan or Iraq and record oil prices. Pundits exclaim that the American dream is dying on the vine and we are all suffering from bankrupt spirits.

But are things really that bad? What’s happening may be a natural change in the seasons of life. Cultural pain is normal in crises and perhaps the Baby Boomers just haven’t been adversity-tested. After all, isn’t necessity the mother of invention? Follow some of these suggestions as you develop your inner strength and resiliency:

1. You know about physical fitness. Apply some of these principals to becoming more emotionally fit. Discover your usual emotional pattern and start a training program. In addition to nutritious eating and regular exercise, practice noticing the negative concerns that get your attention, how you end up feeling and what active steps you can take to change your thoughts.

2. Rather than seeing the glass half empty, turn your challenges into opportunities. Release your mind from worries, most of which never happen anyway. Take it one day at a time and accomplish what you can without dwelling on the ‘what ifs.’ Worrying takes a lot of time and energy – it’s counterproductive and destroys your peace of mind.

3. Free yourself from resentment and practice how to forgive. If you hold on to grudges toward your business partner or past hurts from your friends, you’re the only one who will be miserable. Let go of feeling sorry for yourself and you’ll make room for more positive experiences. As your attitude changes, your day-to-day life will become more pleasant.

4. Embrace simplicity and appreciate what you have. Enjoy your family and colleagues. Go outside on a cloudless night and look at the beautiful sky. Take your family camping for the weekend and roast marshmallows over the fire. Eat sandwiches on a park bench with a co-worker and visit during lunch hour. Give back by volunteering at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or a boys and girls club.

5. If you’re feeling gloomy in these roller coaster times, invite friends over for a potluck dinner and have everyone bring their signature dish. Turn the conversation into a creative and supportive revival of the spirit. Discuss innovative ways to save on groceries, to use less gas, to network for a new job.

6. Don’t expect so much. Unrealistic expectations about things and people lead to disappointment. Stuff loses its shine and appeal. Built-in obsolescence makes you a slave to the latest style and the next upgrade. It never ends, and then you feel dissatisfied with what you have. In some situations try not to expect anything, and whatever comes your way will be a blessing.

It is true that, as financial crises go, this one is very personal. But perception doesn’t always match reality. According to the Pew Research results, the boomer generation enjoys the highest incomes of any age group surveyed. They are less likely to have been laid off and less likely to have trouble paying for medical care or housing. In fact, fewer of them said that someone in their household had to go to work in the past year or take on an extra job to make ends meet.

Home prices will stabilize, oil prices could stop going up and, for all we know, the global economy may be resilient. The bottom line is that contentment is elusive for some people. In the end, it’s important to realize that fulfillment isn’t to be achieved as a goal in itself, but rather as the result of living a good life.

(C)2008, Her Mentor Center



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Text Message Marketing for Radio Stations — Interactivity on a New Frequency

By admin on May. 20, 2009.

There are three things that we never leave home without any more–your keys, wallet, and mobile phone.

Note that we no longer have a need for a watch. Those of us who still wear watches do so only because it’s a nice piece of jewelry; it’s no longer a functional item with a cell phone in your pocket.

There were 157 billion text messages sent in the United States last year! That’s up 61% over the 98 billion text messages sent in 2005! There are now more cell phones in the United States than there are internet connections.

And, if you’re trying to reach teens and young adults with email, that is just so yesterday. Text messaging represents 48% of all written communication by 15 to 24-year-olds. Remember pen and paper? Only 5% of 15 to 24-year-olds written communication is done the old fashioned way.

But, perhaps the greatest advantage of text message marketing is that you can reach your audience anytime, anywhere, any place. 84% of all consumers keep their cell phone on and with them 24 hours per day and 94% of all text messages are opened and read. That’s why The New York Times called mobile marketing “the most powerful advertising medium of all time.”

We all know teens love to text; 29% of teens send more than ten texts per day. But, if you think text messaging is just for teens, think again. 39% of active text message users (those sending more than ten messages per week) are over the age of 35. Even Grandma does it now–8% of those over the age of 70 are now considered active text messagers. All told, 95 million Americans are in this elite group of active text messagers today.

Another invention going the way of the typewriter is the landline phone. 15% of all cell phone owners don’t bother to have a landline phone anymore and 31% are considering giving up their home phone in the next three years.

If you’re a radio station executive and you’re not offering text messaging by now, you may still be living in the Marconi era. The beauty of text messaging to radio listeners is that since so much of radio listening is done outside of access to general media, text may be the only medium available. If they’re in their car, on the beach, or at the office, there’s probably no competition from television or internet. Hence, radio and the cell phone are the means to reaching your target audience.

What do radio listeners want to do with text messaging? According to the Pew Study, they want to request songs, enter contests, and obtain station play lists. It’s not surprising then that the top text message applications for radio stations to date have been contests, song requests and dedications, vote lines, station play lists, and enhanced advertising.

Enhanced advertising is where the game is starting to change for radio stations. What was once a promotional tool has now become a sales tool. What was once a cost center for a radio station has now become a revenue center.

94% of all text messages are opened and read. No other medium can make that claim, not even radio. That’s why forward looking radio station sales teams are now up-selling their customers with text programs. And, it’s working because the advertising works. It’s no longer just a spot buy when you add an interactive text promotion to the on-air commercial. Some account executives are getting in on buys in demos where they were once shutout. Others are gaining additional market share on the buy by bundling spot buys with a station text message campaign. Mobile marketing offers the sales team a weapon that others in the market simply don’t have.

Here’s how it works. Next time the radio station plans to give away tickets to a concert, why have 999 frustrated callers reaching busy signals and one lucky winner? With text messaging, all 1000 listeners get through to the station. There’s still only one lucky winner, but all the entrants receive the station advertiser’s marketing message. More importantly, the station now has a database of 1000 opt-in P-1 listeners.

Next time the station has breaking news or a pre-sale buy of concert tickets, it will want to notify the opt-in database, thus providing another opportunity to put your advertiser’s message into the palm of the hands of your loyal station listeners. Your advertiser’s message gets through and your P-1’s feel like VIP’s.

According to Forrester Research, 43% of US marketers will be using mobile marketing within the next year. Mobile marketing is projected to generate $4.8 billion in revenue in 2011.

Radio needs to jump on the mobile marketing train. If it doesn’t, somebody else will.

Robert Bentz
http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/text-message-marketing-for-radio-stations-interactivity-on-a-new-frequency-119385.html

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How to Set Up your Own Fm Radio Station: Licensing and Start Up Issues

By admin on May. 16, 2009.

There are several ways to set up your own radio station. It depends on how serious you are about it. The single most important thing you should know before you get started is why would you need to start your own radio station?

Maybe, it’s because you are a DJ or you have a band and want to reach an audience with your songs. Maybe, you have a huge collection of rock music and want to share it with the world. Maybe you are a member of club and want to make money by broadcasting a certain type of music along with commercials. Maybe you are a candidate and want to spread the word about your nomination and your speeches. Or maybe you are just person who is passionate about radio stations and always wanted to start your own FM radio station. Whatever the case, you need to know what you are doing.

Here are the basics of setting up a new radio station in a nutshell.

First you have to make decisions on two issues. You must choose the right place where your studio will be located. Also you must decide whether your radio transmitter will be placed at your studio or in a remote location.

Next, it’s time to obtain a FM radio station license that will allow you to legally broadcast your signal.

There are two types of FM radio station license:

- The low power FM (Local)

- The full power FM (Commercial)

- License for Internet radio (Streaming Media)

You can start broadcasting your new radio station by obtaining at least one of the licenses mentioned. If you are serious about this then your goal should be to first acquire a low power FM license and then move on to the full power license. There’s also the option to set up a radio station that streams sound on the internet which is the easiest way to go with, if you have no previous experience in FM radio stations.

Here are some issues you must consider after applying for the radio station license:

- How much money are you willing to spend for start up and ongoing costs?

- What type of equipment will you need? For example transmission equipment or a radio automation system etc. Do you know how to choose the best transmitter for your radio station?

- What is the process of getting in the air? Do you know how to use your equipment and go live? For example, do you know how many watts your broadcast equipment can handle?

- How will you deal with music licensing, royalties and copyright issues? Do you know that you actually have to pay for that too?

- How well informed are you on the subject of frequencies? Acquiring a license is one thing and obtaining a frequency for your radio station is a different thing. You have to fill and submit an application to request a new frequency.

- Do you know what kind of personnel you need? Do you have a plan to find the right people for the job?

The idea of broadcasting your messages to others through a radio station becomes more and more popular. These days, we are so empowered with communication possibilities than ever before. For very little money anyone can broadcast their messages to the world.

Mary Mark
http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/how-to-set-up-your-own-fm-radio-station-licensing-and-start-up-issues-124153.html

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