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Reflections: Julius String Quartet on their MacPhail Fall Residency
Date: Nov 24, 2021

A short interview with the Julius String Quartet and Beth Nault-Warner, MacPhail Director of Marketing   As part of the 2021 Madeline Island Chamber Music Emerging Artist Quartet-in-Residence, this year’s program award recipients, the Julius …

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Barbara Cohen, Intro to Scoring for Film and Visual Media
Date: Nov 23, 2021

Imagine the opening credits of a movie. The musical score begins with plucky strings, light drums, and a bouncy glockenspiel. What genre of film are you about to see? Judging …

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Time To Practice: Good Practice Makes Good Habits with Tamara Gonzalez
Date: Nov 16, 2021

Practice makes perfect. Practice makes permanent. The more I practice, the luckier I get. You’ve heard the cliches. But what do they say about practicing? Not much. MacPhail’s Tamara Gonzalez …

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Prelude: Singer-Actor Performance Lab
Date: Nov 11, 2021

“Never pass up an opportunity to tell the story.” For voice and acting teacher Manon Gimlett, these are words to live by. As the program director of MacPhail’s Prelude: Singer-Actor …

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Musical Minute: Louise Farrenc
Date: Nov 4, 2021

with Andrea Leap Join instructor Andrea Leap for a fun glimpse into the life and music of Louise Farrenc, composer, pianist, teacher, and feminist.

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The Mandolin Mantle | Richard Kriehn
Date: Nov 3, 2021

“It’s not just about a right or wrong note,” Richard Kriehn explains. He believes music is about expressing yourself – expanding your vocabulary and giving the world a glimpse of …

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MacPhail Story: Vicky Mountain, MacPhail Music for Life™ Teaching Artist
Date: Oct 29, 2021

Vicky Mountain is celebrating her 70th Birthday and her 35-year Anniversary teaching at MacPhail this month. In celebration her incredible work and career, we invite you to watch Vicky’s story …

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Garrett McQueen
Date: Oct 29, 2021

Garrett McQueenBassoonist | Composer | Radio Host | Producer Twitter Garrett McQueen is an active advocate for diversity in classical music. The only Black classical announcer (formerly) at Minnesota Public …

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GMI Artist In Residence: Greg Byers
Date: Oct 28, 2021

A Chance to Play Modern Music  As a longtime video gamer, cello teaching artist Greg Byers wanted to explore modern styles of their music for his Artist-in-Residence project, a video game music orchestra.  “We talked …

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An Electronic Approach to Music Making…with MacPhail’s EMRA Director Michael Cain
Date: Oct 26, 2021

How many ways can you make music? At MacPhail Center for Music, we believe there’s no limit. Playing an orchestral instrument is one method. Programming digital technology is another. We’re …

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MacPhail Story: Brian and David Muhs
Date: Oct 15, 2021

Heidi and Merrill Muhs knew they wanted their sons to get into band in high school. Thinking ahead, they brought their son Brian to MacPhail when he was in 5th …

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How to Make a Monolin at Home
Date: Oct 14, 2021

 How to make a Monolin (single-stringed instrument) at home. Items needed:    Large Milk or Juice Carton (one with a screw top works best and can act as a sound hole)  Fishing …

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Bluegrass Rhapsody with Poet Anthony Ceballos
Date: Oct 12, 2021

Upcoming MacPhail Spotlight Series Performance, October 23, 2021 As music genres go, bluegrass is all its own. Its melodies and messages spring from a particular soil: the hardscrabble land of …

Young child wearing a striped shirt playing a ukulele
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The Story of a Young Boy and His Ukulele
Date: Oct 6, 2021

During the pandemic, as was the case with so many children, one of our young students (we will call him O) missed starting pre-kindergarten. O spent weekdays with his grandparents …

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Let Music Fill the Air
Date: Oct 4, 2021

Let Music Fill the Air is a collection of works by MacPhail piano teacher, Ginger Reynolds. Performing Artists on the album include Ruth Palmer, Clara Osowski, mezzo, Bob Adney, Marc …

Young student playing saxophone into a microphone
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When Little Things Lead to BIG Possibilities | Sophia Kickhofel
Date: Sep 30, 2021

The little things. That’s what Sophia Kickhofel enjoys most about life. If she could trace all the little things back to childhood, she would realize they brought her to where …

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Blooming in the Desert
Date: Sep 28, 2021

By Sue Ruby As educators and performers, many of us lack exposure to and knowledge of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) composers. Even before the pandemic and death of George …

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MacPhail Center for Music’s “Light in the Well”
Date: Sep 23, 2021

Five years ago, Ferol Grode showed up to her first day of music therapy in a “Life is good” T-shirt. Her mother, Patty, had one on, too. To a stranger, …

Cover artwork for "You'll Sing a Song"
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Alternatives to Problematic Children’s Songs
Date: Sep 22, 2021

The Sing Play Learn department at MacPhail Center for Music has been busy revamping parts of our curricula for the last couple of years. Our goal was to research the origins of the songs …

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Sing Play Learn Podcast – Alternatives to Problematic Children’s Songs
Date: Sep 13, 2021

Learn about the new songs that have been added to the Sing Play Learn classes in this podcast with Cari Gregerson, Amanda Breininger, and Erika Bennett.

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Executive Functioning and the Role of Music
Date: Sep 8, 2021

Executive Functioning is a term that describes a set of mental skills which includes:  Working memory.  Flexibility in thinking.  Self-control, or impulse control.   As children develop so do their executive functioning skills, however, sometimes …

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Next Steps
Date: Aug 31, 2021

As the summer Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® classes have come to a close, you might be wondering what next?  If you are, you are not alone; we have created this guide to aid you in your next …

Young student wearing a blue polo shirt and jeans, sitting a desk with a computer sitting on it.
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‘Music never really stops’ – Austin Daily Herald
Date: Aug 2, 2021

MacPhail Austin student, Blake Zimmerli, has been using the extra time during COVID-19 to work on his symphonies. He’s currently working on his eight symphony and describes the hobby as, …

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Understanding Electronic and Electroacoustic Music as Foundational in K-12 Music Education
Date: Jul 28, 2021

EMRA Program Director and Teaching Artist, Michael Cain discusses Electronic and Electroacoustic Music in this third of three Professional Development Sessions. Other EMRA Professional Development Sessions:

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Nature Walk with Music
Date: Jul 15, 2021

Join Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® teachers Cari and Jane at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and have fun singing about bee, birds, butterflies, bugs, and more!

keyboard with headphones sitting on top of the keys in front of a computer
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Cultural Competency in Music Education
Date: Jul 12, 2021

EMRA Teaching Artist, Krysta Rayford discusses Cultural Competency in this second of three Professional Development Sessions. Other EMRA Professional Development Sessions:

keyboard with headphones sitting on top of the keys in front of a computer
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Using iMovie for Music and Teaching
Date: Jul 1, 2021

EMRA Studio Coordinator and Teaching Artist, Isaac Rohr discusses how to use iMovie for music and teaching in this first of three Professional Development Sessions. Other EMRA Professional Development Sessions:

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Community Pride Award from Lavender Magazine
Date: Jun 29, 2021

Timothy De Prey, Director of Individual Instruction, is the recipient of a Community Pride Award from Lavender Magazine. Timothy believes that “through music, one can create change, justice, tolerance and …

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Sing Play Learn Podcast – Sleep Hygiene
Date: Jun 29, 2021

Sleep Hygiene is a set of habits that will help establish healthy sleep. Learn more in this podcast with Jane Tate and Cari Gregerson.

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Preparing for Sleep and the Role of Music
Date: Jun 23, 2021

Sleep is one of the most talked about topics for young children. We live in a society that tends to be sleep deprived. Around 25% of young children have sleep problems. …

Two people performing. One is singing and the other is playing piano
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Recognizing Juneteenth at MacPhail w/ JD & Fred Steele
Date: Jun 15, 2021

Each year on Juneteenth, MacPhail will pause to reflect how the monstrous chapter of American slavery has deeply harmed so many over hundreds of years and celebrate one of the most significant …

Group of students playing guitar
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The Importance of Group Class to Suzuki Learning
Date: Jun 2, 2021

Compiled by Ruth BergmanSome points are borrowed from Helping Parents Practice: Ideas for Making it Easier, by Edmund Sprunger Group class is one of the central components of Suzuki Talent …

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Sing Play Learn Podcast – Children’s Books About Inclusivity
Date: Jun 1, 2021

Podcast by Jane Tate and Cari Gregerson featuring Adam Marshall, Ivory Doublette, Stacy Canino

graphic of a bee
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Springtime Fun with Music
Date: May 26, 2021

Now that the weather is warming up, the outdoors are coming alive with music.  There is music all around you!  What do you hear when you go outside?  Listen for birds singing their …

George Floyd Tributes Outside Cup Foods in Minneapolis
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A More Excellent Way
Date: May 25, 2021

Remembering George Floyd, Today we remember an all too familiar pain, but we keep moving forward. We fight to create a better nation than our mothers and fathers, their mothers …

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Adding Fuel to your Practice Parent Engine
Date: May 19, 2021

By Kamini LaRusso. Transcript from 2019 Suzuki Association of the Americas: “Parents as Partners Videos” Hello! My name is Kamini LaRusso. I live in Minneapolis, MN. I am a Suzuki …

Teacher holding a ukulele
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Hello Song in Mandarin
Date: May 19, 2021

Let’s sing a “Hello Song” in Mandarin with Music Therapist, Yuffie Hu!

Students sitting in a classroom with their hands raised
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Sing Play Learn Podcast – School Readiness
Date: May 17, 2021
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Dismantling Dissonance
Date: May 14, 2021

A podcast by Bailey Poesnecker, MacPhail Suzuki Viola and Violin Faculty, Dismantling Dissonance is described as, disrupting the status quo for 21st century performers and educators, “Dismantling Dissonance” is a …

Child sitting in a parent's lap and looking up at them.
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Children and Separation Anxiety
Date: May 3, 2021

Children and Separation Anxiety  Separation anxiety is something that most, if not all, children experience at some point in their lives. There are a wide range of symptoms may manifest at different stages of development. Mostly, you’ll hear …

Teacher holding a maraca
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How to Make Maracas at Home
Date: Apr 21, 2021

It is believed that the Maracas originated from the Tainos, Native Indians of Puerto Rico. Learn how to make your own Maracas with the help of Sing Play Learn! with …

A person holding a bow in front of a computer with a wall of guitars behind them
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How did music education adapt to the pandemic?
Date: Apr 8, 2021

MPR News with Angela Davis – How did music education adapt to the pandemic? MacPhail teaching artist Ivory Doublette was a guest on Angela Davis’ show on MPR on April …

Teacher and a group of adult students singing
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How to Strengthen the Adult Voice
Date: Apr 1, 2021

When vocal teaching artist Jerry Rubino works with older singers in MacPhail’s Voices of Experience choir, he’s noticed that many times singers new to the group don’t know what part …

Three young children playing with finger paint
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Play and Creativity Using Music: Musical Games/Creativity Play
Date: Mar 30, 2021

How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children?   Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood.  When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …

Young child playing with pots and pans
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Play and Creativity Using Music: What Can Become an Instrument
Date: Mar 30, 2021

How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children?   Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood.  When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …

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Play and Creativity Using Music: Explore New Music
Date: Mar 30, 2021

How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children?   Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood.  When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …

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Play and Creativity Using Music: Sing
Date: Mar 30, 2021

How can music activities at home encourage play and creativity in children?   Play is one of the most important parts of early childhood.  When a child is engaging in play they are building their brains …

Teacher singing
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Utility Songs
Date: Mar 30, 2021

Help make your child’s day go more smoothly with these Utility Songs taught by Jane Tate.

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Three Easy Ways to Beat Cabin Fever with Music
Date: Mar 30, 2021

Simple musical activities to use at home with your kids. Music is fun, engaging and can motivate even the most stir-crazy kids.  You don’t have to have any musical training …

Young child playing with blue tulle
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Music And Toddler Development
Date: Mar 8, 2021

Join our guests from MacPhail Center for Music, Early Childhood Music Educators, Jane Tate, and Cari Gregerson as we discuss the developmental pathway of toddlers and how music can help …

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Sing Play Learn with MacPhail Playlist
Date: Mar 5, 2021

Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® Teaching Artist Lisa Wasilowski shares a playlist for fun family time.

MacPhail Austin building with staff standing in front of it on a sunny day
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MacPhail—Austin Documentary
Date: Mar 2, 2021

In September 2020, MacPhail Center for Music in partnership with Austin Public Schools and with support from the Hormel Foundation, opened their new state-of-the-art music education center.

Learn more about the process and the beautiful result via this documentary by Patrick Gavin.

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Why You Should Enroll Your Kids in Piano Lessons, According to Science
Date: Mar 2, 2021

Director of Individual Instruction, Timothy DePrey’s favorite article about enrolling your child in piano lessons. 

Four people performing string instruments on a stage
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Madeline Island Chamber Music on PBS Wisconsin
Date: Mar 2, 2021

Welcome to Madeline Island Chamber Music! MacPhail is pleased to join with Madeline Island Chamber Music, a program and destination devoted to educating and nurturing the next generation of musicians …

Five people standing together holding instruments
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Garden of the Righteous Documentary
Date: Mar 2, 2021

MacPhail Center for Music, in partnership with the East Side Freedom Library and Heyde Center for the Arts and Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater in conjunction with Unitarian Society of Menomonie, …

Cut out photo of a student playing a drum and a teacher playing a piano
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Small Moments, Big Accomplishments
Date: Feb 25, 2021

Beth, age 12 , Music Therapy Student Stories: Beth When Diene’s twelve-year-old daughter Beth continually expressed a passion for music, constantly asking it to be played throughout the house, Diene …

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Black History Playlist with Mikalia Bradberry
Date: Feb 23, 2021

Hello my name is Mikalia Bradberry and Happy Black History Month! I’m so glad to be able to share some works with you that are near and dear to my …

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LISTEN! PLEASE! A Documentary by J.D. Steele
Date: Feb 23, 2021

Please note: This film contains brief instances of adult language. In a year when the pain and injustice of systemic racism has once again placed our city and our nation …

Black and white photo of Robin Eubanks playing trumpet
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Interview with Robin Eubanks
Date: Feb 23, 2021

Robin Eubanks is the premier jazz trombonist of his generation. Whether performing with his groups, Mental Images or EB3 or with The SF Jazz Collective, Dave Holland Quintet / Big Band, …

Teacher and young student looking at each other
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The Music and Learning Connection
Date: Feb 19, 2021

Listen as podcast guests Dianna Babcock and Jane Tate of MacPhail Center for Music discuss the evidence that music does have a positive impact on a young child’s executive functioning …

Two people playing cello outside with Minneapolis skyline and Mississippi river behind them
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A Beautiful Introduction to the McKnight Musician Fellowships
Date: Feb 18, 2021

MacPhail Center for Music is proud to be the administrator of the McKnight Fellowships for Musicians for over two decades. The McKnight Fellowships for Musicians are intended to recognize and …

a group of babies and parents gathered around a drum
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Sing Play Learn Podcast – Babies
Date: Feb 18, 2021
Large group of people, adults and children of all different races, standing together
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Talking About Race
Date: Feb 10, 2021

What we believe and how we talk about race is of the utmost importance. The National Museum of African American History & Culture asks How do we teach such challenging subject …

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Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books
Date: Feb 10, 2021

Representation matters – it’s important and affirming for kids to see characters who look like them and the people in their families in the books they read. It’s equally important …

teacher holding a ukulele to a baby
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Benefits of Music on Children’s Development
Date: Feb 10, 2021

Listen as Priscilla Weigel and her guest Dianna Babcock of MacPhail Center for Music chat about the way music can enhance learning.  They discuss the benefits music has on a …

baby playing a small xylophone
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Music and Infant Development
Date: Feb 10, 2021

Join our guests from MacPhail Center for Music, Early Childhood Music Educators, Jane Tate and Cari Gregerson as we discuss the developmental pathway of infants and how music can help …

Adult and child playing a guitar together
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Playing with Music at Home
Date: Feb 10, 2021

Music making doesn’t need to be formal at all times – it’s easy to incorporate music into the daily routines with your child, in fact, you may find you already …

Child playing a xylophone
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Support Math Readiness Through Music
Date: Feb 10, 2021

The teachers in our Sing, Play, Learn! with MacPhail® department know that music class isn’t just fun and play. Music learning can build a child’s math skills. Check out this …

Cari holding up a rainstick
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Let’s Make a Rainstick
Date: Feb 10, 2021

Rain…rain…go away! Or, make it stay and make a rainstick with materials you have at home. Teacher Cari is here to show you how.

Cari holding egg shakers
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Let’s Make Egg Shakers
Date: Feb 10, 2021

Egg shakers are popular in our Sing, Play, Learn! with MacPhail® classes. Teacher Cari shows you how to make your own!

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