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Ed Castro's Blog

Random music, things and thoughts

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  • MusicThis is where you might find recording or general information about music and brass playing.
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  • ThoughtsThis category gives my personal point of view.
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  • Coping with first day of 1st grade

    My breathing becomes labored, I don’t know what to do with my hands. By the time I get to my car, I’ve got several tears rolling down my face. Luckily it’s raining…so if anyone saw me they might think it was just the rain. It’s 9:30 in the morning on the first day of first…

    Ed Castro

    September 10, 2016
    Thoughts
    1st grade, Balance, Coping, Dad, education, Family, father, Home, kid
  • Safety

    I was recently engaged in a conversation about safe places while growing up. For me there were three places, home, the classroom and the band room.  Depending on the individual, home and the classroom could be swing towards or away from safety. As for me I considered home and the classroom safe places. However, the band/orchestra rehearsal…

    Ed Castro

    August 10, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
  • © Concierto de Aranjuez (1939) – Joaquín Rodrigo – DRSO – Pepe Romero – Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos — I Write The Music

    mugge62 via © Concierto de Aranjuez (1939) – Joaquín Rodrigo – DRSO – Pepe Romero – Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos — I Write The Music

    Ed Castro

    July 31, 2016
    Music
  • Middle of summer worries for a music teacher

    It’s the middle of summer, my kid is watching cartoons while I look at my units of study for the up coming school year. Since I am a middle school band director, I tend to worry about how effectively I am helping students learn specific skills on their instruments and the other parts of music, like music theory and…

    Ed Castro

    July 27, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
    art, cartoons, classical music, father, kid, middle school students, music, music education, performer, school, soundview school, stress, Students, teach, teacher, Teaching
  • I Tend To Reminisce

    Now and again I tend to reminisce about my youth, and luckily what comes up most for me is the music I listened to. Lately I’ve been spending my time totally enamored with two specific groups, The New York Voices and the Pat Metheny Group. I listened to these pieces often and I fell in…

    Ed Castro

    June 28, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
    art, artist, chamber music, Classical, classical music, Husband, jazz, music, New York Voices, Pat Metheny, performer, Teenager, Wife
  • Bjork + Bigband = Bjorkestra

     Lately I’ve been enamored with experimental covers of pop musicians. My latest object of affection is the intersection of modern big-band and Bjork. The result is Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra. An incredible collection of jazz interpretations of music written and performed by Bjork. Take a listen, buy their albums…or go see them live.

    Ed Castro

    June 7, 2016
    Music
    artist, Bjork, Bjorkestra, chamber music, jazz, Modern Jazz, modern music, music, performer, Travis Sullivan
  • Latest Ear-worm

    Somehow I can’t seem to shake two seemingly and completely different ear-worms.  For those who don’t know what an ear-worms is, the best I can say is it’s a song or a piece of music that has worked it’s self into you mind and deep into the very fabric of your being. In any case…

    Ed Castro

    May 10, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
    art, artist, Beach Boys, Earworm, Hip Hop, London Grime, music, performer, Thoughts
  • Prince and 4 Square

    I’m Getting Old and We Lost An Icon This week I spent time stretching before going out to do recess duty with middle school kids. Why do you ask, well that’s simple I tried playing “four square” with my students. Anyhow, it’s clear I don’t move like I used to…I’ve been limping since Tuesday. Today…

    Ed Castro

    April 21, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
    American Popular Music, Classroom, education, Funk, Hip Hop, independent school, music education, musician, Musicology, performer, Pop, Prince, Teaching
  • Classic Vibe and Martini’s

    Recently I had the opportunity to be on stage with an orchestra and a very charismatic performer. The performance revolved around some famous Frank Sinatra arrangements we don’t all know, but really love. This concert was a collection of “feel good music” that make you want to snap your finger and drink a martini… followed…

    Ed Castro

    April 9, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
    Concert, Frank Sinatra, jazz, Martini, orchestra, Swing, Symphony Orchestras, The Rat Pack
  • Woody’s Organ Grinder — Sound the Trumpet: How to Blow Your Own Horn

    The great Woody Shaw’s take on Organ Grinder. via Woody’s Organ Grinder — Sound the Trumpet: How to Blow Your Own Horn

    Ed Castro

    April 6, 2016
    Music
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