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.
    • Media
    • Methods
  • ThoughtsThis category gives my personal point of view.
    • Things
    • Teaching
  • New Food

    Sometimes when you’re looking for something to eat, you just need to take a chance and try something new. Recently my wife and I found ourselves with an opportunity to enjoy each others company for a meal without our kid. Unlike most nights out for a meal in which we deliberate where we should go,…

    Ed Castro

    February 22, 2016
    Thoughts
    food, kid, Wife
  • Sia is my kid’s spirit animal

    The idea of a spirit animal is a cool concept. If you look online you might find a test that might match you with a creature which may best represent you. However, the topic at the moment is Sia and how my daughter has committed every song in her catalog to memory. I can’t explain why…

    Ed Castro

    February 8, 2016
    Music, Thoughts
    art, Dad, kid, Parent, performer, Sia, Wife
  • The Bronx Pyramid

    I ran across an album with a face I recognized from long ago. It’s not like this artist is difficult to find, however I think this is his first project as  the leader of this recording project. His name is Carlos Henriquez and he is the bass player. His latest project The Bronx Pyramid is…

    Ed Castro

    January 21, 2016
    Music
    artist, Bass, Carlos Henriquez, jazz, Jazz at Lincoln Center, music, performer
  • Late to the party

    As the title suggest I feel late to the party currently in my soul. These days I feel like I discover a fantastic new artist every where I look. The Brazilian singer Luciana Souza has just invaded my mind and I am looking forward to having her occupy space there for some time to come.…

    Ed Castro

    January 20, 2016
    Music
  • Song Exploder Podcast

    A few days ago I found a new podcast to add to my rotation. And apparently, I love this podcast! Song Exploder is hosted by Hrishikesh Hriway and it’s super interesting if you are into deconstructing modern songs. I downloaded 3 episodes which included artist I admire and listen to often. I was blown away with…

    Ed Castro

    December 27, 2015
    Music
    art, Bjork, modern music, musician, Open Mike Eagle., podcast, Song Exploder, Tune-Yards
  • Quick Warm Up

    Having a quick warm-up at my disposal has been a very useful to me. Somedays I have 40 minutes to get my face ready for a day of playing. Unfortunately too often I get only 10-15 minutes to play in the morning. And that’s it! So when my private student informed me that they didn’t have…

    Ed Castro

    December 21, 2015
    Methods, Music, Things
    Balance, brass instruments, middle school students, musician, Routine, trumpet, trumpet routine, warm up
  • This time of the year

    I don’t get into the spirit around the holidays or go out of my way to feel merry. However, when December roles around I tend to put on more music and listen with a purpose. That’s just because of the curriculum I mapped out for myself. My 5th graders are learning about medieval & renaissance…

    Ed Castro

    December 8, 2015
    Music, Thoughts
    art, Bach, Balance, Baroque, education, educator, Guillaume de Machaut, Handel, independent school, John Dowland, medieval & renaissance music, Monteverdi, Teaching, Thomas Morley
  • Wynton Marsalis Teaching Teachers

    If I ever need reminding about the struggle of being a band director and why it’s important to do what I do, Wynton Marsalis sums it up in this talk. All of it applicable to those who learn and those who teach.

    Ed Castro

    November 16, 2015
    Music, Thoughts
    brass instruments, chamber music, classical music, education, educator, independent school, jazz, middle school students, performer, school, Teaching, trumpet, Wynton Marsalis
  • Messy

    I forget sometimes how disorganized learning can be for middle school kids. When I teach I tend to offer more help than seems necessary for some kids. With all the educational plans for individual kids and accommodations that need to be made, I forget that learning is a messy business. Some confusion for kids is…

    Ed Castro

    November 15, 2015
    Thoughts
    education, independent school, middle school, Teaching
  • A Reminder of Why I Teach

    Sometime I listen to a podcast called Snap Judgement hosted by Glynn Washington on NPR. The show melds fascinating stories with a hip-hop  backdrop.  Last week I listened to a story by Joyce Lee called “Dropping The Ball” about her experience with a former student. It gave me pause and reminded me of why I…

    Ed Castro

    October 3, 2015
    Thoughts
    independent school, Joyce Lee, kid, NPR, Parent, podcast, teacher, Teaching
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