Year: 2016
Christmas Holiday Blog, 2016
Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy the images of Christmases long ago scattered within this post. If you keep reading, you’ll learn more about them! Part I A friend of mine recently asked me what traditions my family followed for Christmas. I was hard pressed to come up with anything terribly specific or interesting. We don’t […]
Read MoreWhat I’m Listening To This Month (December): Jerry Leake’s Latest Album
A Review of Jerry Leake’s latest album, Crafty Hands (2016) Stan Pelkey December 13, 2016 Boston-based world-rock-fusion percussionist Jerry Leake is a special kind of musician. He deftly moves in and through numerous traditions from around the world – with deep respect and gratitude – yet also comfortably resides in contemporary styles and forms. But […]
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What I’ve Been Watching (November)
The recent Thanksgiving Break provided some time for much need rest and relaxation, but it also allowed me to catch up on some film viewing. Here are some brief reflections on current and recent films. The family and I went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, J. K. Rowling’s latest film set […]
Read MoreWhat I’ve Been Reading (November)
Cameron Pyke, Benjamin Britten and Russia (Boydell Press, 2016). This exceptionally well-written and well-researched study by Cameron Pyke (Dulwich College and University of London) explores many of the ways Benjamin Britten engaged with Russian composers, musicians, and literature against the backdrop of Anglo-Soviet cultural and political relationships, particularly from the 1930s through the early 1970s. […]
Read MoreWhat I’ve Been Reading (September)
Paul S. Boyer’s American History: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2012). I have read a number of books from Oxford’s “Very Short Introduction” series, including Kathryn Kalinak’s on Film Music, John Polkinghorne’s on Quantum Theory, and several on world religions and ethics. Paul Boyer’s American History did not disappoint. It is the perfect […]
Read MoreWhat I’ve Been Watching (And the Emmy Goes To…)
It’s September, and the Emmy Awards were given out this past weekend. I am very pleased that three of my favorite current show — Mr. Robot (currently in season two), Game of Thrones, and VEEP did so well. (I am also pleased that The Good Wife received a few awards; it’s another of my favorite […]
Read MoreSaving Money by Cutting a Music Program is Harder than You Think!
Hello, Readers! This is a slightly edited version of a post that I published in May 2016. I hope you find it useful. Stan ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I was recently talking with several graduate music students about threats of underfunding or complete elimination of a music program or unit at a college or […]
Read MoreWatership Down: Literature and Leadership
Literature and Leadership: Watership Down Stan Pelkey “My Chief Rabbit has told me to defend this run and until he says otherwise I shall stay here.” (Bigwig to General Woundwort) “The Sky Suspended,” Watership Down (First Avon Edition, 1975; p. 451) It’s not difficult to find reflections on leaders and leadership. Northouse (2010) notes, […]
Read MoreLiterature, Leadership, and Change
By Stan Pelkey It’s not difficult to find reflections on leaders and leadership. Northouse (2010) notes, “Bookstore shelves are filled with popular books about leaders and advice on how to be a leader” (p. 1). Besides those popular books, an extensive body of social science research on leadership exists. And we could cast our […]
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