Everything’s a Song: A Conversation With Lea Morris
Lea and I spoke via Zoom (how else?) about the ingenuity and creativity that arises in this time of restriction, about kids and their gifts, and the intertwining of music and spirituality. She was generous with her stories, insights, and humor, and it’s my pleasure to pass them on.
Radio Active Life
When I began producing my kids’ music radio show, Radio Active Kids, four years ago, I had no idea quite what I was getting into. I knew that kids’ music had made a positive impact on my life and that I wanted to share that positivity with others.
Because of Fred Rogers
It still hurts to think about Fred Rogers. It’s been seventeen years since his passing, and the thought of him still brings tears to my eyes.
Music in the Time of Corona
As waves of school closings and concert cancellations swept the nation this past March, the CMN member listserv lit up with urgent questions about What to Do. Of course, the community responded by discovering ways to exploit technology and ingenuity so they could temporarily replace the irreplaceable experience of live music making.
Publishing Your Picture Book
Like many educators and artists, I’ve had a few ideas for picture books kicking around in my head for years. I suppose it’s inevitable. This past fall I finally decided to make my long-ignored dreams of authorship a reality.
The Kindness of Sanctuary
We measure our lives through the people we encounter as we make our way. The friendships and personal connections we make are really what gives meaning to our lives.
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Social Justice Music For Kids
When Pete Seeger was blacklisted in the 1950s, he was no longer allowed to perform in the kind of venues in which he and the Weavers had been appearing. He discovered a new network of places flying under the radar and brought his music to those schools, summer camps, church basements, synagogues, and more. In the process, he inadvertently created a new career path
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Music That Makes Change
Social issues, such as gender identity and racism, are influencing children’s music. This article is about creative ways that two groups of performers address social issues to bring positive change to children’s lives, and to the lives of adults.
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A Visit to the Musical Instrument Museum
In a world divided by ethnicity, religion, politics, and so much more, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix is a strong reminder of the cultural ties that bind us.
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In Memoriam: Sol Weber
Longtime CMN member and beloved friend Sol Weber passed away on June 26, 2019, at the age of eighty-five. Sol was best known for his rounds collection, earning him the nickname “Roundman.”
Fall 2019
Music, Story, Activism: An Interview With Nancy Schimmel
Planting Seeds of Love in South Sudan
In Demand: Music Specialist for Children With Special Needs
Our Human Legacy: Enhancing Seven Generations
Singing New Stories
The Many Faces of Facebook Groups
Wonder and Surprise
Songwriting Geeks Love Critiques
Ah-Ha! Songs
Spring 2019
Make a Rainbow: Musicians of Color Reflect on the World of Children’s Music
Free Music Lessons: Building Community on the Streets
Finding Friends in Many Languages, Thanks to John Taylor
Resources For Renewal, Part III
Stay Awake: Reflections on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workshop
Open the Circle
Rituals and Rhythms, Part II
Making Your Audience Part of the Show
Cultivate Our Humanness
Fall 2018
Where Music Makes a Difference: An Interview With Kim and Reggie Harris
Walking Each Other Home: Threshold Choir
Doing the Hambone
An Interview With Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates
Seeing Through Music, Part II
Technology Tips & Tricks
The Transition Train
Rituals and Rhythms, Part I
Bringing History to Life in Song
Play?
Spring 2018
Seeing Through Music: Songwriting at the Maryland School for the Blind
All Around This World
Music With Children Who Have Experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
I Love My Fluke
Ten Things I Love About You, Kulele
In Search of the Wild Ukulele
We Are All Connected
Passionate People Inspire Extraordinary Songs, Part II
Framing Our Songs
Fall 2017
Sally Rogers: No Time to Feel Hopeless
Make a Joyful Noise (More Quietly)
Pounding for Peace
Sharing a New Song
And Peace Runs Through It: From Peace Resources to the CMN Song Library
Resources for Renewal: Part II
Padlet Power
Culture Bearer
Ten Top Performing Tips
Passionate People Inspire Extraordinary Songs, Part I
Safe Spaces for the Audience, the Song, and the Performer
Spring 2017
A Musical Pilgrimage: Six Countries, Eight Months, and a Song
Medicine of Music: The Songs of Love Foundation
Everybody Wins! TAFFY PRESENTS Brings Song, and More, to Underserved Families
Resources for Renewal
The Gift of Your Honest Self: An Interview with Fred Rogers
Melanie DeMore: Music as Community Connector and Food for the Soul
Sock Talk!
The Social Media Monster
In Praise of Organization
Teaching Fourth and Fifth Grade Music, Part II
Rules for Breaking Rules
A Key to the Story Vault
Fall 2016
Culture, Connection, & the Magic of Music: An Interview With José-Luis Orozco
Creating Safe Musical Spaces, Part II: Building Inclusive Communities Through the Arts
Can You Stop the Birds From Singing?: The Afghan Children’s Songbook & the Power of Music
Choruses and Song Swaps: A Way to Bring Singing Into Our Communities
Walking the Talk: You Just Have to Have a Big Heart: An Interview With Judith Cook Tucker
Adventures in YouTubing
Music and Sounds From Around the World
Teaching Fourth and Fifth Grade Music
Advanced Zippering
Skin Color
Spring 2016
Building CMN: Preserving the History of the Early Years
An Interview with Frankie and Doug Quimby: The Georgia Sea Island Singers
Bedside Bridges: Earning My Bronx Cheer
Creating Safe Musical Spaces: Teaching and Performing for Integrated Audiences
Music and Inclusion: Building a Vision Through Song
Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice
An Interview With Lisa Yannucci
Building Bridges from School to Home
Hearts and Voices of the Pihcintu Chorus
Ten Lessons I Learned About Collaboration
How We Do What We Do
Fall 2015
A Conversation With Stuart Stotts
Resources for Teaching the Music of Native American Peoples
Sharing Our Strengths: The CMN Song Library
Brave New World: Twitter for Children's Musicians
Seeking Out the Real Roots
A Continuing Song: Notes on the Life of Ruth Crawford Seeger
An Interview With Katie Wardrobe
In Tune With Babies
Passing On the Love of Music
Competition
Strive to Surprise
Spring 2015
The Unseen Children's Music Side of an Award-Winning Career
Haunted House: A Guided Exploration
Multigenerational Music Making
Tapping Into Musical Power
Song > Lyric + Melody
Gun Control
Fall 2014
Sharing a Musical Vision of Humanity: An Interview with Ruth Pelham
In Memory of Faith Petric
Music—the Universal Language
Farewell and Best Wishes to Jan Graves
A World Class Boys Choir
The Most Amazing Musical Instruments
Break the Barrier
Living in Dynamic Mode