[needadietcoke]

I just knew there was a reason I liked Ro even though I haven't met her in real life or on line- just throught the videos. But there's something special about her- besides the obvious. It takes a strong woman to be a band and orchestra teacher! I should know since I did it for 14 years. Go Ro! Scrap Girls is fab.

[AmandaFace]

i played flute all through school and was very involved in music ... i love it, but theres no way i could teach it! (little patience here )

[angelaNussbaum]

I never played an instrument.. wanted to.. but never had an opportunity. So i just sang my heart out. From my experiances with my choir instructor.. wow.. it does take a strong woman to teach those topics!!

Good morning Ro.

angela

[Kricket]

I was not into music at all - we all had to be in the choir (small school)but I was told to mouth the words only - I threw everyone else off key.
To this day I never sing out loud if there is anyone around! Bet, Ro would never have done that!!!!

Love you too, Ro!!!!

[Ro]

Oh horror... You're right, Kricket. I would never have told you that. I actually was a certified Kodaly teacher and could have made a difference with you!

I loved being a music teacher but now it seems like a dream.

I sold my 1770 German violin and all of my recording equipment (I used to write music, orchestrations, etc.) to start Scrap Girls. Someday, I want to buy myself an upright grand. My current house isn't big enough for a regular grand. I used to have one of those, too.

Ahhhh.... days gone by.

But I love this new adventure I am on and I've met all of you COOL people because of it!

[Wags]

Does Kodaly work for adults? My hubby would love to be able to sing on key. (And I'd love it too!!)

[Ro]

Well, the trick is to find a teacher that is certified in Kodaly. There aren't huge amounts of them...

I was the only one I knew of in Utah. But it is growing. There are more of them in the East and Central states. It is a philosophy that came from Hungry in whic skills are carefully taught from the most basic levels up to more complicated. It works.

[MaryJo]

I just love learning about people. Everytime I hear more about Ro I am just awed. What an accomplishment !! My hat is off to you! I have a hard time just transporting my musicans around from lesson to lesson to practice, to concert and then do it all over again.

And that's only 3 of the 6..... Ro you are an excellent person to do a change of profession like you did. You did it right and your planning has paid off...
I'll pray for the grand ! I'd love one for my daughter, but that's way down the list right now !!!

[TracEy]

I loved being in a band. I used to play drums. Fiddled around with the guitar but didnt like the caluses it created so I stuck to my hearts love "the drums". Had a good time. At the time, there were not many girl drummers so it was pretty cool. I miss those days.

[Wags]

Ro, on Oct 2 2007, 10:13 AM, said:

Well, the trick is to find a teacher that is certified in Kodaly. There aren't huge amounts of them...

I was the only one I knew of in Utah. But it is growing. There are more of them in the East and Central states. It is a philosophy that came from Hungry in whic skills are carefully taught from the most basic levels up to more complicated. It works.

Thanks Ro - I will try and find one in our area.

[Vaughnde]

That is awesome. Deaf or not, I loved playing the bongo drums. My siblings both did the clairnet and choir in high school. mY youngest daughter also did Choir...she has a good voice but didn't stick to it. I was never in a band or choir in school but played the bongos at church because I love beats.

A lot of people think deaf people are quiet...NOT! go to a deaf club meeting sometime. Its loud hehe...and the signs are awesome of course.

Vaughnde

[sheriL]

I played flute in jr high/high school - it definitely takes a special person to stick with leading a bunch of teenagers playing instruments most of them have never held before band class! 14 years - you must be amazingly patient!

[HeidiD]

Ha! I was the girl trombone player in my high school... And have always wanted to be able to sing well. I do sing, but not when other people are around!

Ro is just cool, isn't she?

[Ladyandthejudge]

Ro:
I sent you a PM (I think!) about how meaningful the 6 Impossibles and chalkboard erasers references were to me personally today. I know it sounds silly, but it's very true. And my friend, Sandra, can corroborate. Five years ago, we came across the Lewis Caroll line and began making that our daily prayer theme: to ask God for answers to 6 impossible situations before breakfast. We can both tell you that we have seen miracles in people's lives. I'm trying to be brief here, and fear I'm leaving out details that make this make sense. Let me go on to the next reference: chalkboard erasers were featured in one of my very first layouts which I just created last month. I was creating a page for school chum I'd just seen at our reunion and recalled "The Woodland Incident" when she got in trouble in 1958 for dusting the erasers on the side of the building! I made a page showing how she dusted her name onto the bricks and would love to show it to you, but don't know how. The principal admonished her, "You can dust the erasers, just don't do it decoratively!" Linda is an artist in Georgia today. Also, if I may add a third reference to why your newsletter today was so meaningful to me: I have been thinking about starting a business of my own, after having had similar life experiences as you expressed so well. ---Ann (I'm really new at all this...can you tell!)