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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Rick Padgett, email
Hoola hoop hoop hoop. No, you said it too quickly. Slow down and say it again. Ok, this
time REALLY slowly, almost singing (go up a 4th on “la” and back to the starting note for the
“hoop”s). Anyone know what we have? That’s right – a mourning dove.
John Cage's 4'33" impressed me as a high school senior. Mr. Null presented it as one of the
examples of contemporary music. After the piece concluded, our class discussed what we
heard -- the humming AC turning off, distant footsteps fading, a creaking chair, jingling keys,
and a closing door. Someone even heard her beating pulse. I gained a new perspective of
listening to sounds and being aware of my surroundings. My definition of music expanded a
little as well.
More recently, I have been listening to birds. Have you noticed at how many different birds
are around us? Sure, most of the population can identify cardinals, robins, and bald eagles,
but those are only a few of around 10,000 species. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are
ardent birders (people who identify and study birds in their natural habitats), and recently, my
wife and I started delving into the hobby. I am amazed by what I have been deafly (and
blindly) walking past for years. Beauty exemplified in such a variety of calls and songs,
colorful plumage, and quirky behaviors.
What great compositions are performed for us each day if we stop to hear them! Calls.
Responses. Layers of conversations. I am familiar with many of the instruments in the
orchestra surrounding my home – the red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, tufted titmouse,
downy woodpecker, and common grackle, among others. Each lends its timbre and tone to
the opus. Travel a few (or many) miles away and a different orchestra is performing.
I enjoy when my ears perk up at a sound to identify or investigate. I admit that many times I
get my blinders on, being so worried about getting from here to there that I miss some
countermelodies along the way. As we break from our classroom duties for the summer, take
the challenge with me of being more observant of beauty around you. Pause and reflect on
your environment. Listen to the music that surrounds you. Share your discoveries with others.
Rick Padgett
Rick Padgett, email
Hoola hoop hoop hoop. No, you said it too quickly. Slow down and say it again. Ok, this
time REALLY slowly, almost singing (go up a 4th on “la” and back to the starting note for the
“hoop”s). Anyone know what we have? That’s right – a mourning dove.
John Cage's 4'33" impressed me as a high school senior. Mr. Null presented it as one of the
examples of contemporary music. After the piece concluded, our class discussed what we
heard -- the humming AC turning off, distant footsteps fading, a creaking chair, jingling keys,
and a closing door. Someone even heard her beating pulse. I gained a new perspective of
listening to sounds and being aware of my surroundings. My definition of music expanded a
little as well.
More recently, I have been listening to birds. Have you noticed at how many different birds
are around us? Sure, most of the population can identify cardinals, robins, and bald eagles,
but those are only a few of around 10,000 species. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are
ardent birders (people who identify and study birds in their natural habitats), and recently, my
wife and I started delving into the hobby. I am amazed by what I have been deafly (and
blindly) walking past for years. Beauty exemplified in such a variety of calls and songs,
colorful plumage, and quirky behaviors.
What great compositions are performed for us each day if we stop to hear them! Calls.
Responses. Layers of conversations. I am familiar with many of the instruments in the
orchestra surrounding my home – the red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, tufted titmouse,
downy woodpecker, and common grackle, among others. Each lends its timbre and tone to
the opus. Travel a few (or many) miles away and a different orchestra is performing.
I enjoy when my ears perk up at a sound to identify or investigate. I admit that many times I
get my blinders on, being so worried about getting from here to there that I miss some
countermelodies along the way. As we break from our classroom duties for the summer, take
the challenge with me of being more observant of beauty around you. Pause and reflect on
your environment. Listen to the music that surrounds you. Share your discoveries with others.
Rick Padgett
