Skyler's Visit

Today is a lonely day for most allied arts teachers.  It is conference time at York Middle School and the parents are arriving all day long with their children for student-led conferences.  The students talk about their accomplishments over the last few months, and they speak about their struggles, challenges and successes in school.  It is too much to schedule in the music part of their lives during these student-led conferences, so if they have time they come by and visit, but on a more informal basis.  I understand the importance of time for the core subjects, but it would be great if I was able to be a part of the whole experience.  It is complicated though, and I understand completely why it is done this way, but now I hope you will read my blog so you know what has been going on this week during music.

Our former student, Skyler, came to spend the day with us in the music department.  He is a singer/songwriter who grew up in York, took guitar lessons from a local musician, went to YMS and YHS, and had his first experiences as a performer playing guitar as accompaniment to my choruses, as well as composing songs on the playground, and then singing his own compositions in high school during their Cafe Paloozas.  He has since studied music, singing and composition at Berklee College of Music, and has toured his over 400 songs all over the US.  He has opened for such bands as the Goo Goo dolls,  The Band Perry, Daughtry, and the Plain White Tees.  He is having his cd release party at the Music Hall Loft this weekend, and I just purchased four of the last ten tickets available.  I am excited to hear him with his band, and have my family experience his joy and talent!

The students were enthralled with his performance.  He played some of his own music, plus he played some Taylor Swift songs, "always great to have a little tswizzle in the afternoon" he quipped,  Beatles songs, and "Home" by Phillip Phillips which the students sang along with.  He shared the story of "Stephanie", and then sang this catchy, fun, romantic song..that turns out has been used in a  "Supercuts" commercial.  "Got free haircuts for a year! Hey..they get expensive!" he laughed.  He answered hours worth of questions about his life, and living on the road, and writing music, and learning to sing.  He is a very open, friendly and accessible person as well as being an excellent performer.

 It was a thrill for me, because I remember him well as a York Middle School student, always enthusiastic about life, always loving music, always learning and thinking and passionate about history and literature.  I was impressed also with our students' questions.  "What is the most important thing you have learned while being on the road?" someone asked.  "Who are your greatest influences?" someone else from my class asked.  "What is the favorite song of yours that you have ever written?" My students were focused, interested in all Skyler had to offer, and it was a very productive and wonderful experience for all of us.  I look forward to the show this weekend, and hope to see some of the York Middle School students there as well!

Check out Skyler's website: Skyler's website

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, talk to you next week!