Many a Musing from Tom Hunter

[Tom Hunter - The Song Growing Co.]

Many a Musing...

GREETINGS TO YOU ALL FROM OUR CORNER OF THE NORTHWEST where we're settling in for several days of familiar rain and where springtime buds look increasingly confident. It's pretty much inevitable now: spring is on the way, even where there's been so much snow and cold temperatures recently! It's been a while since we've communicated with you and we hope this finds you doing well.



THE BIG NEWS FROM US IS MY CHANGE IN JOBS. Starting in April, I will become minister of the First Congregational Church here in Bellingham, WA. A whole new chapter in my life is about to open, and I'm excited! Most of you know me because of my work in education - seminars, keynotes, assemblies, residencies, and concerts. Others of you know I'm also a minister. Through all I've done, I've been fascinated with how community grows and how people find meaning in their lives. I have felt honored to watch good teachers across the country build community in their classrooms and help children figure out what words and numbers mean. I can't count the number of times I've felt moved by direct experience or by hearing stories about how songs help children have fun, learn, deal with the issues they face, and know they have a place to belong. As the context for my work changes, many of the interests and issues do not. This new work for me is clearly connected to the work I have been doing.



OUR WEB SITE WILL CONTINUE AND SO WILL THIS NEWSLETTER WITH ITS MUSINGS. I continue to have stories and thoughts about education. I also want to solicit stories from you. So many of you have told me in my wanderings that you have wonderful stories about what children have done or said, about interactions with parents, and about life in your classroom or center. The problem is you don't have anywhere to share them. This musing newsletter could be the place. My musings could include your musings. SO HERE'S AN INVITATION: SEND ME YOUR STORIES. I'll select one or more, edit them a bit (asking your permission, of course), and send out the ones that seem most useful, moving, or fun. The possibilities are exciting, and endless!



OUR CD'S AND BOOKS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON THE WEB SITE - www.tomhunter.com/store.htm. All along, I've been committed to the tradition of song that encourages all of us to participate, to find and raise our own voices (in the classroom or the car, in a lullaby at bedtime, in a backyard gathering), and not to rely on others to do music for us. Traveling less makes it harder for me personally to nourish that tradition, but it does not make the tradition any less important. I am still passionate about encouraging all of us to sing more ourselves and to seek recordings and resources that help us find our own voices. The recordings on our web site give that kind of encouragement. I love the idea that these songs and recordings will continue traveling into classrooms and families while I'm spending more time at home. I believe the songs I've written and recorded have a lot of work to do, and now I'll need your help to spread them around. They make wonderful gifts!



THAT'S ENOUGH NEWS FOR NOW, except for two things:

  a.. There's space available to register for 2008 Northwest Teachers Conference - July 6-11 at a gorgeous place north of Seattle - wonderful staff - one of the most innovative and inspiring professional development events anywhere! More details on the web site.
  b.. "Black Asphalt," one of my essays, has just been published in the March/April issue of Exchange Magazine.  It's also included in our collection, Visits to the Heart of Education, available on our web site. 

We often say we'd like to hear from you, and it's even more true now!  Most of all we hope you're singing a lot!



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THE SONG GROWING CO.
1225 E. Sunset Dr., #518
Bellingham, WA  98226
(360) 738-0340
fax: (360) 734-0295
songgrow at tomhunter.com
www.tomhunter.com
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