Growing talent...

I had a great experience sharing my music at the Waldorf School of River Valley, Bucks County PA on Dec 11. It was WSRV's annual WINTERFAIR and there was featured some pretty fine young talent that day. Talent in music AND in food... At both the Schools (Bucks and Chester Co...Kimberton PA) there is clearly a knack for the preparation and presentation of ..dam great deserts! FORGET picking one and sticking with it in this place: there were just too many palette-pleasers to settle for such a limit!

I have to say that I don't remember ever experiencing such food at the schools I attended. I DO, however, identify with the support for talent, as I was fortunate enough to have lots in that department while in that formative time.

In High school I had access to a 9-foot Steinway Grand! Yes THAT was a good thing! That ALONE was inspiration enough to stay in school! In my senior year I had 15 study halls a week..ALL of which were spent playing that piano!!

Unlearning.

I've recently had the great pleasure of attending a meeting for the bloggers
on the Daily Local News of West Chester's 'Blogtown', of which I am the newest member . The day before this meeting, I watched the video below: Sir Ken Robinson regarding a "new" educational paradigm. The correlation for me between the two is the amazing spirit of unity between the "empowered" individual and the "health" of the community on a local level ( and beyond).

As a person with a visible "difference" myself (and among those who, in the classroom setting, had a substantially challenging time),I am considerably blown away by this video and Sir Ken!! Major kudos, Sir Kenneth! I can't help but feel I've found the Holy Grail of Validation, in the sense that I have (and probably MILLIONS of others!) felt this way innately as a child and thereafter for years hence.

I feel very grateful for Sir Ken's work and feel that it is part of my own "effort" when I create, perform and pursue what is most precious to me: individual, creative expression/learning tailored to suit my 'style': my 'way'... as part of the rich community of life on Earth...and beyond.

And a Happy.... New ....Year...

And a Happy.... New ....Year...

How many times have you heard these words..and what do they mean ?
With each new year we resolve to make a change, a commitment, a move...
or... not. I mean we may NOT go for anything specific. We may actually avoid
the enter event and carry on as we always have.

I have done both, as I imagine many folks have. I now feel, personally, that each moment asks of me the same thing really. No matter what the current event, season or situation:
Am I happy or not? If I'm happy, why change? If I'm not, THAT's why! Of course this way of thinking can create many questions. I hope you all will post your thoughts on this. Happy Hollandaise and ..enjoy the view...see you on the "other" side : )

best wishes
Stephen DiJoseph

INFLUENCES...

INFLUENCES

My earliest musical recollection is that of a music box in my grandmother's house.
Seems like I spent hours... listening....absorbed in that... mysterious..forlorn...intriguing...captivating
sound-of-a-distant-land melody.

Twenty five years back, I began writing a composition that was eventually called.... RECOLLECTION.
I started writing it while learning (or immediately thereafter) Chopin's Preludes in Eminor and Bminor and, in my mind, I always made an association with those pieces as the primary influence of Recollection. AHHHH...not SO grasshopper!

I inherited that music box when my grandmom passed. Kept it around for years. It wouldn't work so it became
a visual reminder of an amazing woman and a special time. Last week, while blogging about influences, I decided to try and see if it might not ...sing to me again. To my amazement, it...awoke!
Its plaintive, bell-toned melody rang from it's underside and I was drawn right back to that ...feeling...and there is was right before my eyes: the TRUE inspiration of Recollection. Thus the final title .....I have no doubt.