Eric Zanconato

On the surface, the Hope Scholarship is the panacea to issues that beleaguer our most struggling schools. Latently, these “scholarships” are tax dollars that are funneled into private schools to fiscally punish the struggling public ones by starving them out. Follow the money. Vouchers are BS.

I just signed the Human Made. Human Paid campaign petition. Take action here: actionnetwork.org/forms/human-...

My musically literate friends— can you spot the AI errors in these Google Gemini prompt results? Hint: there’s more than one.

As I dropped off my eldest son to school this morning, I couldn’t help but think about the families who lost loved ones in Bend, OR, for whom my heart breaks. No parent or teacher should ever have to feel such danger in what should be one of the safest places on this planet.

Last week were some of the most gorgeous days to have been paddling on Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge, MA. I was able to capture a few photos.

My 12 yo son was just selected to be a guest performer on the clarinet at a masterclass at a major conservatory in CT. I’m so proud of him for all of his dedication and hard work. 🎼

It’s official as of tonight that I will be my eldest son’s piano accompanist for his winter clarinet recital where he will be performing “Lullaby” (Op. 124, No. 16), by Robert Schumann and arranged for late intermediate/early advanced clarinet. This is a great honor to accompany my own son.

As a band parent and a former middle and high school band kid who still plays drums and keyboard to this day, I couldn’t agree more. The band kids make us so much better off. Rep Frost, you rock on that vibraphone! 🎼

Kudos to the American Federation of Musicians! MA is a heavily unionized state. Strong unions protect workers from the abuses that we now see from BSO “leadership.” Embrace your union; it’s here to protect you and to give you a voice without fear of retribution. www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...

Last night at Tanglewood, Cynthia Erivo was INCREDIBLE! She was animated, interactive with the audience, and had the talent powerhouse of The Boston Pops Orchestra behind her. Mark Meadows was mesmerizing on the piano. Purple Rain was the most memorable song she did and brought everyone together.

I was also invited tonight by the head of my book club to suggest a title for a future reading session. I suggested “Whistler” by Ann Patch. I’m about a quarter through it now and love it! Check it out!

About 20 minutes ago, I was texted the book that my book club is reading for our September meeting. We’re reading “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan. I just downloaded the ebook and skimmed it. It’s going to be a terrific book!

AOC sharing her egg-freezing adventure came at the perfect time. I have learned so much from following her journey and commend her for taking control of this aspect of her future. For myriad reasons, women are delaying childbirth until the circumstances are exactly right. Lets all have her back!

Happy National Book Lovers Day! What are you reading? I am now reading “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan. Last month, I chose to join my friend’s book club that meets monthly at her bakery in my hometown. Pick up a book, even a banned book, and immerse yourself.

Me: Take these chances, place them in a box until a quieter time

On our trip to Plymouth, MA, we attended a stunning performance of The Wizard of Oz at this very charming theater. Also, the rainstorm had just ended when we arrived, and a rainbow then appeared over us. How apropos!

I just watched a segment on the news this morning about school security drones to combat shooters with pepper spray. I verified it on Google. It looks good in theory, but I can only imagine the cute techie students hacking them and spraying the class for “fun.” www.theguardian.com/education/20...

That’s smoke, not clouds. Still think that climate change is a hoax? This is the Berkshire’s of Western MA from just a few minutes ago. I stepped outside, and it smelled like a big camp fire. The air quality index is 158, a dangerous level.

To say this is surreal is an understatement; furthermore, ignoring the effects of climate change got us here. I wish we lived in a nation that was helping our own people and neighbors. Instead, our money is going to shooting immigrants and starting wars. Thinking of you, my neighbors to the north. ❤️

My 12 yo son got braces today, and he was a trooper. I’m also impressed with how responsible he is about caring for his teeth, as it’s a whole different ballgame with braces. And, thank goodness that MA offers generous dental plans through its connector; his plan helped a lot with the high cost.

Fellow musicians who majored in music, as I did— is it because of music that you were equipped with the drive and discipline to become great at whatever you ended up doing for a living? Granted most of still play, not all of us made a living in music, but we’re better off for having majored in it.

Keep in mind that Team USA Women’s Soccer has brought back four titles to date to the men’s zero championships. Let’s show appreciation for our women; no matter the job, they get it done! ⚽️

On Friday, I joined my friend’s book club, and we meet at her cafe on Tuesday night at 6:00. We are reading “The Book Club for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick. It’s nearly 400 pages, but I have it on Audible for my car rides, too. I can barely put this book down! Every man should read this!

Off to the round of 16; what an absolute thriller of a game!!! See you Monday night! ⚽️

If you’re a teacher today, I highly suggest that you watch this entire video. I student-taught third grade last fall, and this is what happens when education shifts to analytics and high-stakes testing and away from accountability and respect in the classroom. EYE-OPENING! youtu.be/JtO-BxAT3zA?...

My dad and I have been working on this project little by little over the years. I’m confident to say that it has fully come to completion. It is also quite fitting that it is right in time for Father’s Day and my birthday, both of which are tomorrow. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Yes!!!

My son’s official last day of sixth grade was today, capped off with a sneak preview of Toy Story 5; coincidentally, he will begin to delve into jazz clarinet, beginning with Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend In Me,” with my piano accompaniment. The recital will be mid August and posted here. 🎼

What a nearly perfect FIFA World Cup game tonight; that was truly the best soccer game I’ve seen yet! Onward! USA! 🇺🇸 ⚽️

This week, my son will begin to explore jazz and pop music on his clarinet, beginning with initial preparations of Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.” He will perform the vocal part on clarinet while I perform the piano part. We’re hoping to post our performance by mid July!

I love my birthday month even more! 🌈

Yesterday, my son had to get pulled from his clarinet recital. He had another headache that reached down into his jaw area. It’s believed to be a 12-year molar, so we’re off to the dentist this morning to get relief. His accompanist invited him to perform this Sunday at another recital. So grateful!

My 12 yo son had his final practice session today with his piano accompanist in preparation for his spring clarinet recital this Sunday. This will be the first piece he will have played that spans all three registers of the clarinet. His rhythm, pitch, and intonation were near perfection. Proud dad!

Good news, the audio version of Neurodiversity: A Very Short Introduction is out now on Audible, Spotify, etc.! I also have three codes for free Spotify copies, so we can do a competition. Just share and like this and I'll pick three people at random to get the codes this weekend.

It’ll be a busy upcoming week next week. I will be supervising the drum line for my son’s school marching band in the Memorial Day parade and helping him prepare for a major clarinet recital next weekend. Game on!

So.Well.Said

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day! Without many of my past teachers, most notably my public school music teachers, I would’ve slipped through the cracks and achieved nothing in life. A teacher can and often does change the world for every student’s life they touch. We love and support you! 👩‍🏫🧑‍🏫

“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” It’s cool to be kind, everyone. No exceptions! ❤️

Simply because, we all know someone who deserves this in an email!

My eldest son finished theater camp today, which culminated in a musical performed this afternoon, one that he and his fellow students co-wrote and -produced in less than a week! Lifelong friendships were forged, and these students will also reconvene this August for another round over two weeks!

Last night, I was mesmerized by my son’s technical proficiency on his clarinet repertoire for his upcoming recital. The growth he’s shown in a little under two years is absolutely stunning.

So, when the right can’t ban the books, they’ll “ban” the librarians? Is this a new nadir? Yes, indeed.

THIS is what honor, compassion, and patriotism are, all wrapped in one. Go UM Nursing!

Victor Glover and his beautiful family. This is among the finest in American Patriotism and a humongous inspiration for us all. 🚀 🌙

Yesterday, a student panel joined seven teachers and me for lunch. When we discussed programming, they openly lamented that the music program was cut. When I told them that I intended to rekindle even a small one, cheers erupted on the last day of Music In Our Schools month. Proud NAfME member here!