The Didgeridoodle.

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March 4 , 2008

My Tom Tom really blew it helping me find my way to the Trefoil Oaks Program Center. Fortunately Sandy at the Racine County Girl Scouts office navigated me there by phone. If you find your way up the hidden drive your eyes will feast on a beautiful facility that gives you the feeling that you are in a wonderful natural setting.  85 girl scouts came with lots of enthusiasm and energy galore.  They were definetely ready to explore the global soundscape and for two hours, that went much too fast, we did just that.  We made and played instruments of every persuasion. I'm sure the mom's and dad's driving home got an earfull. These young girls got there at 5 pm and went to 7 pm...I thought that it was remarkable how they were able to hold themselves together so well.  We got a lot accomplished and we had lots of fun doing it. Thanks to Sue, Sarah, Sandy and to all the parents who helped out.

February 10, 2008

Man, if you live in Wisconsin, Sunday Feb 10 was not the day to be driving around.  Frigid cold, at least minus 10 degrees, slipping on icey roads I honestly believed that I'd be lucky if even 5 people showed for my special Sunday school program on sound. Downtown Waukesha was a ghost town but when I got to St. Marks it was bustling with people and an abundance of warmth was pouring out the door.  The kids were great, the programs were enjoyed and the 45 minute wait between programs was filled with the best goodies you can imagine.  Thanks again St. Marks for your warmth on such a cold day.

February 2, 2008

The crowd at the Pauline Haas Memorial library in Sussex WI was both young and small...so we cast off the main program and went right to the hands on.  We had fun romping around the global soundscape.  But even better yet a middle aged couple showed up with their son...just happened to be Dan Tennise and Linda Zimmerman Tennise (former students of mine whom I haven't seen for years) and son Matt who is about 10 years old.  What a great time we all had.

The Didgeridoodle Vol 1 #1

O.K. If you can think of a better name then offer it up..I'll change it in an instant. If you leave me your e-mail address I will make sure you are notified when the next issue is published.

I am just reflecting on a wonderful year of presentations of Exploring the Global Soundscape, residencies and workshops. I am heartened by the comments I have received and delighted that many schools and professional conferences have chosen to invite me back. That along with your encouraging comments have given me the strength, energy and enthusiasm to make this program work. The range of interest for my programs is amazing..I have been booked by the Fox River Girl Scouts 10 times in the past two years (Thanks Jennifer), the Milwaukee Girl Scouts have booked me for 4 programs a year for the last 5 years (thanks Kathi), the Teachers of Experiential and Adventure Methodology Conference four times in the past four years, the Michigan Alliance for Gifted Education twice in the past two years and I will even be addressing the Milwaukee Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in December. Many schools have already started booking for 2001-2002. Upcoming events are a series of 4 interactive T.V. programs with CESA 7 (grant dependent) and a return after 5 years away, as artist in residence for the Young Artist Workshop at St. Norbert College for 3 weeks this summer. The Young Artist Workshop focuses on children with exceptional educational needs. That too is grant dependent.

Notable this year has been the development of an umbrella business named SOUNDS WE MAKE LLC which incorporates both services and products. Two new products are the Native American Flute Kit and the GazimbaÔ . I worked out the idea of a PVC pipe Native American flute about 6 years ago and it occurred to me that it was so good that others might enjoy making one themselves. It has gone a long way and is in stores in Ann Arbor, Milwaukee and Olympia WA. If you want to build one from scratch check the plans on my web site http://www.drhal.net . Otherwise you can buy an excellent kit from me - or the stores in the above areas. Other kits (not formally on the market but available) are Zampanos (pan pipes), Cow Horn Shaker, Didjeridoo (37" with beeswax and paint and brush).

The Gazimba is a very exciting instrument which I started developing last spring. It came into its present form for a Milwaukee Symphony children's concert presentation this winter. Now I incorporate it as one of the Exploring the Global Soundscape adventures. It has become one of the prominent instruments in my residencies. Guess what? The plans for that too are on my website..there are at least 3 more surprises that make my website worthwhile checking into every so often. More is on the way!

I have had 4 exceptional residencies in the past 4 weeks which have really involved young people in highly creative artistic endeavors. 4 day residencies at Blair El in Waukesha WI and Purdy El in Ft. Atkinson WI included creating the story, music, dance, masks, art and even the instruments for the resulting performance. At Blair El. the core group was 12 (We adapted the Three Little Pigs - chosen and developed by the children). At Purdy El. the core group was 160.. (we adapted Dragon Soup by Arlene Williams). Thanks to great administrative and teacher cooperation both were exceptional experiences.

Sounds We Make LLC, Dr. Hal, presentations, inservice workshops and residencies is a model for schools to see how the arts work to bring all areas of the curriculum together. I bring a working model of that to schools and generally present to k-1, 2-3, 4-6. Teachers and children listen and know that in one hour they have experienced something quite unique...a profound new interest in the sounds they and others make. They also know that they may pursue that interest through the physical and social sciences or through various of the arts including language and music.

How do others find out about my program? Well I could spend big bucks and go broke on advertising in every journal and perhaps lose all my energy by showing up at every trade show. I could smother everyone's mailboxes with tons of brochures. I choose not to do that. This webpage speaks for itself. Browse the up to date testimonials and peruse the program offerings. Then book me for a program at your school.
If you somehow came upon this website and have read this far I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts about my website and this newsletter. Thank you in advance for your help. Have an enjoyable summer.