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Review: Irina Gorin’s Tales of a Musical Journey

Back in the summer of 2015, as a huge fan of Irina Gorin’s YouTube channel , I  attended Irina Gorin’s first ever piano teacher workshop held near her hometown in the Indianapolis area. Here is a photo of Irina and I during the workshop.

Over the past two years, I have been using Irina’s self-published method book, “Tales of a Musical Journey”, more and more with my students. As I have become more familiar with the books and am seeing its results in my students, it has become my favorite piano method book.

If you’ve watched any of Irina’s teaching videos on YouTube , you have seen for yourself how Irina successfully develops in her students a healthy physical approach the instrument as well as expressive and sensitive playing — even in her youngest beginner students. Irina’s books are the result of combining what she feels is the best of Russian piano pedagogy and the best of American piano pedagogy. This makes Irina’s method unique and quite different from typical American piano method books.

In this article, I’d like to share an overview of Irina’s method and the reasons why I like it so much.

Book 1 – Tales of a Musical Journey

“Tales of a Musical Journey” consists of just two levels, each consisting of a single all-in-one book: Book 1 and Book 2. Book 2 is designed to lead directly into Late Elementary level repertoire. Irina says she will never write a Book 3. I love the simple elegance of this!

“Tales” uses a story-based approach. Each chapter of the book introduces musical concepts and skills through a story involving characters and events within the “magical kingdom of sounds”. Sometimes, I choose to just summarize the stories during lesson time, assigning students to read them in their entirety at home — but usually I take the time to read aloud the chapter’s entire story. The learning is within the story, after all. And the stories make the learning memorable.

Book 1 begins with a gradual introduction to playing the piano, while focusing on developing freedom and flexibility of all upper body parts: shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers; and on developing awareness of pulse and basic rhythm values.

The early pieces in Book 1 require students use only finger 3. This is a major point of departure from typical American method books, which from the beginning require students to use all five fingers in a so-called “5-finger position” — which to a child’s hand, Irina points out, is equivalent to an adult hand stretching open across seven or eight keys. It is challenging to develop a comfortable way of playing while the hand is stretched open, so Irina deftly avoids the issue by allowing time for students to play using only finger #3 before gradually adding other fingers. This enables students to develop comfortability with the large muscle movements required press and release the keys with a beautiful tone and without excessive tension. Fingers 1 and 5, the more awkward fingers, are added towards the end of Book 1.

On a related note: Irina believes in developing non-legato touch before legato or staccato. Book 1 is devoted exclusively to non-legato playing.

Technique development in Irina’s method is not only sequenced brilliantly, but it is embedded into the way the pieces are composed. The pieces are composed around the emerging technical and musical skills that are most comfortable for a child’s hand. There is no need for a separate technique book.

Rhythm skills are first addressed through activities that build awareness of pulse at various tempos: clapping, marching, chanting poems, and playing along with accompaniment on the CD. Rhythm notation is taught through the use of black and white circles, representing short and long durations, before traditional rhythm notation is introduced. (See  this blog post for more on using black and white circles for rhythm games.)

Staff notation is introduced beginning with Middle C and gradually moving outwards into the treble clef and bass clef. However, this is not a typical American “Middle C approach” that carries the potential pitfall of becoming reliant on a “Middle C position”. In “Tales”, students become comfortable playing anywhere on the keyboard the piece requires. In fact, already in Book 2 they are comfortable shifting across the keyboard during pieces.

By the end of Book 1 (100 pages in length), students can read and play simple pieces, in duple or triple meters, that use basic rhythm values and pitches between Bass G and Treble F.

Book 2 – Tales of a Musical Journey

As much as I love Book 1, I love Book 2 even more. The pieces are charming, with varying moods and styles. The pieces contain many articulation markings (prompting non-legato, legato, and staccato touch) — far more than typical piano methods do at this level — requiring students to learn early on to pay close attention to detail.

Book 2 begins with two non-legato pieces before introducing two-note slurs for the first time. Once students experience success with legato with two-notes slurs, they are given three-note and four-note slurs. Staccato is introduced half-way through the book. Other music notation symbols introduced include accidentals, dynamic markings, ties, and eighth notes.

I have found additional use for Book 2 apart from after Book 1. Book 2 is perfect for transfer students or any students who tend for example to play with a level of unnecessary tension, miss articulation markings (slurs, staccato, shaping phrases, etc.), or are uncomfortable moving across the keyboard during the course of a given piece. I have given Book 2 to students of mine who completed early levels in other method book series but who, I noticed, did not have the same ease in their playing approach or attention to detail as my “Tales” students. In those cases, I combined or replaced their other books with “Tales” Book 2 and de-emphasized the built-in storyline, which continues from where Book 1 left off. I was delighted with the results. Book 2 is a go-to resource in my teaching.

By the end of Book 2, students are playing Late Elementary level pieces and are ready for their first classical repertoire. From here, I recommend any book of easiest classical piano literature or a choice anthology of Late Elementary repertoire, such as my recent personal favorite: the  Celebration Series’ Preparatory A  book.

Closing Comments

There is a learning curve when it comes to teaching with “Tales”. Teachers who are accustomed to the approach of typical American method books will need to learn to adjust the differences. In my experience, the investment is worthwhile. Learning how to use Irina’s “Tales” has opened my eyes to more effective learning sequences — particularly for piano technique — and made me a better teacher.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that in recent years I’ve been quite interested in Music Learning Theory (MLT). Although Irina’s method was not intended to follow principles of MLT, my opinion is that her method allows more room for MLT melding than typical American methods do.

Despite being an interminable experimenter with piano methods books, I have a feeling Irina’s “Tales of a Musical Journey” is bound to remain a core favorite of mine for years to come.

If you are interested in learning from Irina’s approach, I recommend subscribing to her YouTube channel here . Secondly, if you have opportunity, I highly recommend attending her workshop for piano teachers. There is much to learn from Irina that is not covered in her books. This summer (2018), Irina is giving only one U.S. appearance due to being in such high demand in Asia this year. Registration information is here .

Here is a link to some printables I created after attending Irina’s workshop.

If you decide you’d like to try using Irina’s books with your students, you’ll be happy to see  this Google Spreadsheet  created to correlate pages from the books to related teaching videos from Irina’s channel. So helpful!

In addition, you’ll want to request to join the facebook group Irina administers to support teachers who are using her books. You can request to join  here .

Tales of a Musical Journey is available on Irina’s site and on Amazon.com:

• Purchase Book 1 directly from Irina’s site or at Amazon .
• Purchase Book 2 directly from Irina’s site or at Amazon .
• Browse her other materials, including a Guidebook for Teachers , Supplemental Kit containing props, the CDs of accompaniment tracks (I have these loaded on my iPad to use during lessons), a Christmas book , and more .

Thanks for reading my review! I hope you’ll consider checking out Irina’s “Tales of a Musical Journey”.

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Published by Joy Morin

Joy Morin, MM, is a teacher, pianist, composer, speaker, and writer of a blog at ColorInMyPiano.com. A devoted teacher and lifelong learner, she teaches students of all ages at her independent piano studio near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Joy is a frequent attendee and presenter at conferences and workshops, and enjoys connecting with fellow piano teachers through her blog and beyond. View all posts by Joy Morin

15 thoughts on “Review: Irina Gorin’s Tales of a Musical Journey”

Thanks Joy for all your informative posts! I usually find the, refreshing and helpful. Irina’s method is very intriguing. The way she introduces the staff ( outwards from middle C on both clefs) is exactly like my current favorite method book, but I am now thinking about “borrowing” her one finger approach for a student who seems to struggling with grasping everything all at once.

I’d definitely encourage you to give the “one finger” approach a try to see what you think!

Wonderful! If only I could have been taught by Irina or you Joy, when I was younger!

This is very interesting Joy and I am intrigued. With young beginners I prefer Janet Vogt/Leon Bakes Piano Discoveries to my usual Faber. I am very intrigued with this method. Thank you for all your wonderful information!!!

I’m glad you found this interesting, Pamela! Thanks for reading!!

So glad to see this review pop up- someone else just mentioned this method to me last week and I’ve been curious about it ever since. Do you have a good sense for what age range it’s appropriate for? I’m in the market for books to use with preschool age beginners right now

Hi Valerie! Irina uses her books not infrequently with students as young as age four. I think at times she has even worked with age three. Be sure to check on her YouTube channel: I think you’ll find examples there. Personally, I would recommend getting familiar with Irina’s books with slightly older beginners (age 5-7) before trying it with age four. I do think it could be an excellent resource for that age group once the teacher is comfortable with the approach!

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Hi Joy, thank you for an excellent review! I am wondering if you could share how you combine using MLT and Irina’s books please?

Good question! In short: I am doing my best to incorporate more away-from-the-piano listening and movement activities that build their readiness for understanding what they hear (“audiation”). I sing or chant a rhythm “song” and ask them to listen and move in a way that explores flow, weight, space, and time, and later. Then I might also ask them to copy my model of moving to macrobeats and microbeats, or singing what we hear to be the resting tone. We echo short rhythm patterns and tonal patterns (2-4 tones) to build their “music vocabulary”. Students are led to recognize when they hear duple meter, triple meter, or something else and when they hear sets of tones as being in major, minor, or something else.

I appreciate that Irina’s compositions are not as five-finger based as typical piano methods, not only for technical development reasons as I discussed in my review, but also because it means the pieces are not so centered around scale degrees 1-2-3-4-5 at the expense of the other tones in a given tonality. Also, her book uses minor tonality more often than typical piano methods. Variety is a good thing because Gordon says we learn through differences, not sameness!

Thanks Joy for your very thorough review of this book by Irina. I would love to attend one of her workshops!! The you tube videos are helpful however. There are so many new methods popping up all the time that it can be overwhelming and confusing. But I am interested in her approach. I know you have studied many methods recently, and I’m curious what others besides Tales that you are currently using. Would you mind sharing?

Hi Saundra! Yes, there are so many methods to choose from! It can be overwhelming. I generally try to familiarize myself with just one new-to-me method each year. I’ve learned valuable things from every method I’ve used.

My oldest favorite is Faber. Others I have enjoyed include Celebrate Piano, Piano Pronto, and Piano Safari. Tales of a Musical Journey is my current obsession. I’m beginning to familiarize myself with Music Moves for Piano (an MLT-based method). I’d like to experiment with Hello Piano! at some point in the future.

Thank you for the great review! I’ve been researching method books for very young beginners and thought “Tales” might be a good one. I’m also anxiously awaiting my copy of “Music Moves.” I’d love to hear your thoughts on “Music Moves,” too, when you’re ready!

So insightful and helpful! Thank you Joy!

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Tales of a Musical Journey: Book 2

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• Author:   Irina Gorin
• Product Type: Books
• ISBN: B0755PWRY7

Tales of a Musical Journey For Young Pianists, Their Teachers And Parents - Volume 2 by Irina Gorin.

In the second book students continue developing technique skills, intensively working on STACCATO, LEGATO articulations, as well as reviewing NON LEGATO. They learn notation in the range of two octaves, intervals; eighth notes that enhance young children's rhythm understanding. Wide range of folk tunes and easy classical examples continue developing students' taste in classical music, artistry and expression of performance.

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Tales of a Musical Journey Book2

For young pianists, their teachers and parents.

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In the second book students continue developing technique skills, intensively working on LEGATO and STACCATO articulations, as well as reviewing NON LEGATO. Students learn notation in the range of four octaves; eighth notes enhance young children’s rhythm understanding. A wide range of folk tunes and easy classical examples continue developing students’ taste in classical music, artistry, and expression of performance.

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BOOK ABOUT JOURNEY IS OUT NOW

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Out now is the new book "Livin' Just to Find Emotion: Journey and the Story of American Rock ," written by historian David Hamilton Golland and timed to the band's 50th anniversary celebration. The 363-page book offers a meticulously researched history of the band, with album-by-album analysis covering every Journey song and a document-sourced look at Journey 's corporate structure and legal machinations, particularly of the past few years when band members Ross Valory and Steve Smith were fired and the recent feuding between founding guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain , that has since been resolved.

Golland, a professor at Monmouth University in New Jersey whose specialty is African American History, became a Journey fan when he was young, after hearing "Don't Stop Believe in'" on the radio. He tells us that researching and writing the book as a pandemic project enhanced his view of the group:

"I definitely came to appreciate the music more because I went in-depth into every single song. This was a really fun project, frankly, a lot less time in archives and a lot more time with headphones on, but also thinking about it from a critical standpoint rather than simply, 'Oh, I love this' or 'Oh, I only like this' or 'OK, I can skip this .'" SOUNDCUE :26 

Golland has previously written books about affirmative action and civil rights and is editor of the Arthur Fletcher Papers at Washburn University.

Journey is currently on tour continuing its 50th anniversary, with Toto opening. The group begins a summer stadium tour with Def Leppard on July 6 in St. Louis. The Steve Miller Band, Heart and Cheap Trick will alternate opening spots on that.

Journey's latest album "Freedom," came out during 2022.

Alice Cooper's Vintage Vault!

Home » Shop » Once Upon a Journey Book 2

Once Upon a Journey Book 2

This collection of six intermediate pieces explores emotion through the power of story and sound. Students interact with the music using the included “Your Journey” pages that encourage journaling and creative expression.

Product Information: 36 Pages. Intermediate. Includes Audio Tracks.

NFMC Levels: A Time for Wonder (Difficult Class I) Rainbow in the Rain (Difficult Class II)

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The titles are as follows:

• A Time for Wonder
• Rock Hopping
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About the Composer

As a composer, Chee-Hwa explores the tonal colors of the instrument while encouraging performers of all ages to connect at an emotional and intellectual level of understanding. Her landmark work, A Child’s Garden of Verses, is a collection of tone-poem etudes for solo piano. For decades it has empowered musicians young and old to discover their artistic voices through the synthesis of technique, literature, and sound.

Chee-Hwa’s solo piano music is published by Piano Safari. Selections are included in the Repertoire and Study syllabi of the Royal Conservatory of Music – Canada, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music – London, and the London College of Music. Her publishing company, Dayung Sampan Music, expands her philosophy of music making and artistry to other instrumental combinations at all levels.

A native of Malaysia and a naturalized U.S. citizen, Chee-Hwa holds Masters’ degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Southern Methodist University and a B.A. in Piano Performance and English from Oral Roberts University. Her teachers include Alfred Mouledous, Joaquin Achucarro, E. Gregory Nagode, and Joyce Bridgman. Chee-Hwa lives in Colorado where she and her husband Chris have raised four children who are avid music makers.

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Journey Through the Classics, Book 2

• Compiled & Edited by Jennifer Linn

Piano Music • Classical

• Level / Grade: Late Elementary
• Series: Hal Leonard Piano Repertoire
• Accompaniment: Solo, Unaccompanied
• Format: Musicbook/Songbook
• Catalog #: 00296871
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

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Book 2, Late Elementary

Journey Through the Classics is a four-volume piano repertoire series designed to lead students seamlessly from the earliest classics to the intermediate masterworks. The graded pieces are presented in a progressive order and feature a variety of classical favorites essential to any piano student's educational foundation.

• Progressive order provides a variety of musical styles in a logical sequence
• Includes a reference chart with the stylistic period and challenge elements listed for each piece
• Authentic repertoire ideal for auditions and recitals

Quality and value make this series a perfect classical companion for any method! 24 pieces by Beethoven, W.A. Mozart, Kuhlau, Streabbog, Gurlitt, Camidge, Petzold, Diabelli and more.

Contents: • Bagatelle (Anton Diabelli) • Bright Sky (Cornelius Gurlitt) • Burleske (Leopold Mozart) • Church Bells (Matthew Camidge) • Distant Bells (Louis Streabbog) • Giga (Samuel Arnold) • Little Sonata (C.H. Wilton) • Melody – Arabian Air (Felix Le Couppey) • Menuet In F (Leopold Mozart) • Menuet In F (Wolfgang A Mozart) • Menuet In G (Georg Philipp Telemann) • Minuet In G (J.S. Bach) • Morning Prayer (Cornelius Gurlitt) • Musette (Felix Le Couppey) • Night Escape (Cornelius Gurlitt) • Russian Folk Song (Ludwig Van Beethoven) • Sad At Heart (Robert Fuchs) • Sarabande (Johann Pachelbel) • Scotch Dance (Friedrich Kahlau) • Sonatina In C (William Duncombe) • Tarantella (Frank Lynes) • Trumpet Tune (William Duncombe) • Waltz (Moritz Vogel)

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10 books you didn't know were written by rappers

H ip/Hop and Rappers are and always have been a major part of today's culture, influencing new music, fashion, style, beauty, wealth, and so much more. Artists like Jay-Z and Drake, although coming from two different generations of rap, have had a tremendous impact in redefining music.

Artists usually undertake side quests, deviating further away from traditional Hip/Hop as their careers progress, like A$AP Rocky, Tyler The Creator, and Pharrell Williams entering the Fashion space.

Russ, Rakim, 50 Cent, and 7 other notable rappers who've written books

Many rappers stuck with the pen, moving away from music to document their personal lives and the lessons they learned by becoming authors. These books range from autobiographies to self-help guides, all created with the hope of helping and communicating with a larger section of their fanbase. Here is a list of 10 rappers and their best-selling books.

1) "It's All In Your Head" - Russ

Russ released "It's All In Your Head" on November 12, 2019, as a short self-help book that urges readers to take risks. Throughout the various chapters named after some of his biggest songs , the rapper highlights the benefits of betting on oneself as a crucial step toward success.

"In this memoir, Russ inspires readers to walk to their individual rhythms and beat their biggest obstacles: themselves." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

2) "Sweat The Technique, Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius" - Rakim

Legendary Hip/Hop lyricist and performing artist Rakim enters our list with his 2019 book titled "Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius" which acts partly as a memoir as well as a writing guide detailing the various rhythmic nuances he's implemented over his successful career .

The book's title plays on the names of his and Eric. B's fourth and final studio album together as a duo , Don't Sweat the Technique , which was released and distributed on June 23, 1992.

"More than anyone, Rakim has changed the way MCs rhyme. Calm on the mic, his words combine in a frenzy of sound, using complicated patterns based on multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhythms." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

3) "The 50th Law" - 50 Cent

Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, is more than just a rapper with several entrepreneurial business ventures spanning Television , Film, Spirits, and more.

Curtis teamed up with Robert Greene, who authored "The 48 Laws of Power," which went on to sell millions of copies worldwide. 50 and Greene put together a book about Success and Mindset titled "The 50th Law," which was released on September 3, 2013.

"Success comes from seeking an advantage in each and every encounter, and The 50th Law offers indispensable advice on how to win in business - and in life." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

4) "The Autobiography of Gucci Mane" - Gucci Mane

Assisted by Neil Martinez-Belkin and released in September 2018, "The Autobiography of Gucci Mane" became a New York Times Bestseller, with the rapper recounting his journey to becoming a Platinum-selling artist . Pitchfork reviewed the book, stating:

"[The book] provides incredible insight into one of the most influential rappers of the last decade, detailing a volatile and fascinating life...By the end, every reader will have a greater understanding of Gucci Mane, the man and the musician"

5) "Gone 'Til November" - Lil Wayne

Back in 2010, Lil Wayne asserted himself as one of the greatest rappers of all time, winning multiple Grammy awards and signing an upcoming and fairly unknown Drake and Nicki Minaj to his Young Money Label.

His life was turned upside down after being arrested and sentenced to a year in Riker's for illegal possession of a firearm. Wayne recounts his year-long stay in prison, detailing his day-to-day in the book "Gone 'Til November: A Journal of Rikers Island," released in 2016.

"Gone 'Til November reveals the true story of what really happened while Wayne was behind bars, exploring everything from his daily rituals to his interactions with other inmates, and how he was able to keep himself motivated and grateful." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

6) "One Day It'll All Make Sense" - Common

Another New York Times bestseller was delivered by Chicago rapper and entrepreneur Common, who penned a detailed memoir about his struggles growing up on the South side of Chi-Town.

The book, "One Day It'll All Make Sense," was released in September 2012. It highlights critical moments in Common's life, including when he almost quit rapping after his debut EP "only sold" 2000 copies.

"Through it all, Common emerges as a man in full. Rapper. Actor. Activist. But also father, son, and friend. His story offers a living example of how, no matter what you've gone through, one day it'll all make sense." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

7) "The Perfect Day to Boss Up" - Rick Ross

The second rapper to team up with Neil Martinez-Belkin is the MMG CEO and rapper Rick Ross, who released his second book alongside Belkin titled "The Perfect Day to Boss Up, A Hustler's Guide to Building Your Empire" in 2021.

Ross shares the secrets to his success in a detailed guide highlighting moments from his personal life as examples for readers who aim to build the ultimate business empire.

"As Ross explains, "It doesn't matter what's going on. Even the most dire situation is just another opportunity to boss up."Intimate, insightful and brimming with no-nonsense advice, The Perfect Time to Boss Up is the ideal book for hustlers everywhere" - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

8) "From Staircase to Stage" - Raekwon

The founding member of the legendary Hip/Hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon, has written a book that details his rise to success, from growing up in Park Hill in Staten Island to selling out stadiums and arenas around the world. The memoir, "From Staircase to Stage, The Story of Raekwon," was released on November 30, 2021.

"A celebration of perseverance and the power of music, From Staircase to Stage is a master storyteller's lifelong journey to stay true to himself and his roots." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

9) "F*ck It, I'll Start Tomorrow" - Action Bronson

Action Bronson's self-help memoir titled "F*ck It, I'll Start Tomorrow" is an extremely captivating and revealing read that details his struggles with mental health, losing weight, and food addiction, explaining how he gained confidence in himself and learned to avoid negativity. Action released the memoir about his life and journey toward self-acceptance on April 20, 2021.

"F*ck It, I'll Start Tomorrow is not about losing weight―it's about being and feeling excellent regardless of your size or shape. It's about living f**king healthy, period." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.com

10) "Will" - Will Smith

Will Smith's "Will" was released on November 9, 2021, and became a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. The actor/rapper completely opens up about his life and struggles in a revealing yet inspiring book detailing his experiences in both music and film.

The book was assisted by the author of the multi-million-copy bestseller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck , Mark Manson, who helped Smith craft a story about mastering one's emotions which also inspires its readers to do the same.

"The combination of genuine wisdom of universal value and a life story that is preposterously entertaining, even astonishing, puts Will the book, like its author, in a category by itself." - Extracted from the bio available on Amazon.

Other notable rappers who have written books that didn't make our list include DMX and his autobiography "E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX," Eminem's "The Way I Am," and Jay-Z's "Decoded."

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Enter the Journey, Volume II

By Mark Friedman , Janet Vogt

View Songs Click the play button next to a song to preview it.

• Enter the Journey/Sigue el Camino

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Enter the Journey Volume II

• Walk On with Jesus
• Keep the Faith
• Jesus, Savior, Master, Friend
• O Come, Emmanuel
• Oh, How Lovely
• Oh, How Lovely – Reading
• Dance, Miriam, Dance
• Dance, Miriam, Dance - Reading
• Joseph's Coat
• Joseph’s Coat – Reading
• Jacob's Ladder
• Jacob's Ladder - Reading
• Salve, Regina (A Litany to Mary)
• Celebrate Freedom
• God Is Calling Your Name
• Gather at This Feast
• In This Holy Place
• All Products (1)

Description

This 14-song and four-reading 2-album digital set from Mark Friedman and Janet Vogt features a talented children's choir for teachers, religious education leaders, parish music directors and worship planners within the liturgy as well as the classroom.

A sequel to their best-selling Enter the Journey Award-winning composers Mark and Janet have created a sequel to their best-selling Enter the Journey ! Inspired by the many requests they've received in workshops and other events around the country, the two gathered 14 new songs and created a bilingual, English-Spanish version of the popular title song for this new collection. It's everything that Catholic school teachers, religious educators, parents and catechists have asked for! Gathering, sacramental and devotional songs Mark and Janet organized the 14 songs into three distinct groups. "Part I: Called & Named" includes five gathering, sacramental and devotional songs for use throughout the school year. Highlights include the opening "Gather at This Feast" and "Salve, Regina," an enchanting litany to Mary alternating English, Latin and Spanish verses. Songs telling the story of God's people "Part II: The Dream & the Promise" contains four songs telling the story of God's people from Abraham to David, each preceded by a short reading (included in the songbook and read by ValLimar Jansen on the recording). Suitable for use individually, these may also be presented together as part of a short musical drama. Children will love these fun, easy-to-sing retellings of favorite Old Testament stories! Songs celebrating the life of Jesus "Part III: Celebrating Our Faith in Jesus" is a group of five songs that follow the life of Christ from the heralding of his birth to his early ministry. The new bilingual title song closes this section and the collection with enthusiasm, expressing our call to forever "enter the journey of faith as the family of God." An excellent new resource for teachers Teachers will find the extensive composer notes and suggestions in the songbook indispensable. The book also includes helpful guitar chord charts, assembly editions, and topical/ritual, liturgical, seasonal, scriptural and event indexes. Beautifully recorded CD The beautifully recorded CD, which features a talented children's choir, makes nice listening and an excellent rehearsal tool. Disc B in the 2-CD set, which contains instrumental versions of all the songs on Disc A, may be used as background accompaniment (for occasions outside the liturgy). Offering delightful new contemporary music for use in the classroom and the liturgy, Enter the Journey, Volume II , will energize teachers and all who work with young people on their journey of faith.

Award-winning composers Mark Friedman and Janet Vogt have created a sequel to their best-selling Enter the Journey ! Inspired by the many requests they've received from around the country, the two gathered 14 new songs and created a bilingual (English/Spanish) version of the popular title song for this collection.

Mark and Janet organized the 14 songs and four readings into three distinct groups. "Part I: Called & Named" includes five gathering, sacramental and devotional songs for use throughout the school year.

"Part II: The Dream & the Promise" contains four songs telling the story of God's people from Abraham to David, each preceded by a short reading. Suitable for use individually, these may also be presented together as part of a short musical drama.

"Part III: Celebrating Our Faith in Jesus" is a group of five songs that follow the life of Christ from the heralding of his birth to his early ministry. The new bilingual title song closes this section—and the collection—with enthusiasm, expressing our call to forever "enter the journey of faith as the family of God."

Teachers will find the extensive composer notes and suggestions in the songbook indispensable. The book also includes helpful guitar chord charts; assembly editions; and topical/ritual, liturgical, seasonal, scriptural and event indexes.

The beautifully recorded CD makes for nice listening and an excellent rehearsal tool. Disc B in the 2-CD set, which contains instrumental versions of all the songs on Disc A, may be used as background accompaniment (for occasions outside the liturgy).

Offering delightful new contemporary music for use in the classroom and the liturgy, Enter the Journey, Volume II , is everything that Catholic school teachers, religious educators, parents and catechists ask for!

Albuquerque author and music therapist Dawn Thompson with Roker.

• Courtesy of Dawn Thompson
• Copy article link

At first blush, “Roker The Puppy Dog” is a straightforward picture book for early readers, from preschool through elementary. For the most part, it contains easy words accompanied by simple, full-page illustrations. But “Roker” is more than that.

Up beat: 'Roker The Puppy Dog' takes young readers on a musical journey

• By David Steinberg / For the Journal
• Jun 4, 2024

At first blush, “Roker The Puppy Dog” is a straightforward picture book for early readers, from preschool through elementary.

For the most part, it contains easy words accompanied by simple, full-page illustrations.

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Darius Rucker details multifaceted journey to healing in memoir 'Life's Too Short'

40 years later, darius rucker breaks down how his new memoir, "life's too short," has restored his empathy and love for himself and his career..

Darius Rucker is self-aware that he's 58 years old and in possession of a singular baritone voice that has, in two separate genres, scaled the heights of what authentic Black soulfulness can achieve in contemporary music.

"Life's Too Short," Rucker's new memoir, deals not so much with that singular acclaim.

Instead, it presents an honest, raw reflection of events behind the scenes during the five-year swing when Hootie and the Blowfish sold 25 million records between 1995-2000. The book also delves into the stress-filled years between 2000-2010, and his eventual induction as a Grand Ole Opry member and 10-time country chart-topper. In the country genre, he has sold an equal number of singles to Hootie's album tally from a decade prior.

The book is available via HarperCollins Publishers' Dey Street Books .

"My kids are adults and it was time to really tell the story," offered Rucker, when asked about why the book was being released now. He spoke to The Tennessean while backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, where he's been a cast member since 2012.

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He's been married, separated and divorced, and has come through it all as an artist renowned for both his art and his philanthropy.

Compiling his four-decade career into a 256-page book (written with veteran biographer Alan Eisenstock) took 18 months.

The conversation with The Tennessean allowed Rucker to reflect even deeper on how, after being fully revealed, his legacy now appears in a more vivid rendering than ever before.

The highs and lows of the 'Hootie' era

Hootie and The Blowfish ween't just successful because the band's mix of collegiate Southern house party blues with late-80s-era Southern rock. Rucker beings to his music a tender-hearted nature that was hardened from being the son of a father with a wandering eye. The book reveals his father had multiple children by different mothers — all while married to Rucker's mother, Carolyn. That history adds a level of bittersweet gravitas to songs like "Hold My Hand" and "Let Her Cry."

The music is also widely accessible. "I Only Wanna Be With You," for instance, blends a blues-rock standard informed by The Black Crowes with Radney Foster and Nanci Griffith's rustic, red-dirt soul.

In total, Hootie and the Blowfish's best work is, like Rucker himself, on the surface understated but, at its heart, incredibly connective.

The performer notes that being so swept into the hustle of his career kept him from understanding the magnitude of his evolution from playing college bars at the University of South Carolina to filling 80,000-seat football stadiums less than a decade later.

It's also under that contemplation that Rucker loudly cackles when asked about the incredible levels of alcohol and drug abuse associated with his time with Hootie and the Blowfish mentioned in his memoir.

Yes, at the height of Hootie and the Blowfish's initial run, he once purchased somewhere in the vicinity of $30,000 worth of ecstasy in one transaction outside of his tour bus.

The Department of Justice notes that ecstasy is an "inhibition-reducing stimulant and psychedelic that produces an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment of tactile experiences."

A 1996 concert review published by The Spokesman Review of Spokane, Washington offered a caustic takedown of the band:

"Hootie and the Blowfish are the Wal-Mart, homogenized version of American roots music. Sure, the band can delve into country, bluegrass, folk, blues and rock 'n' roll, but their interpretation of the respective genres is shallow and pedestrian."

"It's hard to hammer on a band whose members seem like four of the nicest, most charming and most humble characters you could ever meet...four happy guys playing relatively happy music making everybody feel happy. That's why they appeal to 40-year-olds as much as they do 10-year-olds...Yet safe music doesn't always make for good music."

'Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll'

The band's career was defined by a stunning trio of once-in-a-lifetime hits weighed against harsh reviews and declining sales.

It built to a moment when Rucker's passion for his career hit rock bottom, which, according to him, should have placed the band's initial hiatus in 2005, not 2008, as it occurred.

"It got to the point that every time I got on a tour bus, I wanted to be at home and as soon as I got home, I checked out of being at home," he said. "Sure, I loved my kids and my wife, but living two lives led to my darkest and lowest times."

"Man, that was really tough to write about," said Rucker, sighing. "My ex-wife (Beth Leonard, from whom he was divorced in 2020) did everything to make my life great and I did everything in my power to (mess) it up."

"You can hear about the 'sex, drugs and rock 'n roll' of the music industry, but it's different when your life becomes all of the KISS lyrics you grew up loving," he said. "Eventually, the partying and women find a way to humble you and make what the job of — and not the song lyrics about being — a rock star not fun anymore."

"You're left trying to ingest anything and everything you can into your system to chase the emotions that made you want to do this in the first place," added Rucker.

Country music and salvation

The 16 years Rucker has spent as a mainstream country music artist have served to restore and heal his connection to his life and his career.

"A great country song can make nothing else in the world matter for three and a half minutes," says Rucker, whose cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel" being an 11-times platinum-selling success is proof alone of this notion shining through in his own career.

"Hell, the chapters (in 'Life's Too Short') are named after song titles because, for the most part, so many of the great songs transcend everything, even if only for a moment," he said. "And in my life, especially now, that's become more important than ever."

He demurred when asked how he learned to be a leader after first learning to follow in so many iconic footsteps.

"I am a leader out of necessity," Rucker said.

"I was the second to the youngest kid in my family and I was depended upon to be the man of the house," he said. "I've always had a strong work ethic, known exactly what needs to be done and always pushed to make that happen."

Charley Pride, country radio and the relatable value of hard work

More than anything, he hopes his work ethic is what he hopes other creatives might mirror in their work.

Rucker laughed when asked about his initial 2012 meeting backstage with Charley Pride at the Grand Ole Opry.

He recalled arriving at the venue 90 minutes before having to perform and talking to Pride for the better part of the next six hours, only interrupted by their scheduled moments to sing. Both men, he said, were aware of the other's importance in Black and country music history.

However, it became quickly apparent to both that they were more concerned with how their work was being done than with the leadership expected by their groundbreaking existences.

They agreed that perhaps their desire to work more than their desire to attract attention to their work had led to neither of them ever being featured on the cover of Ebony or Jet Magazine.

He doubled down on that notion when asked about his success at country radio, which, similar to Pride, was built on solid relationship-building. He achieved this by consistently visiting over 130 radio markets nationwide, resulting in three consecutive chart-toppers and five million singles sold.

Felling as though he could not rely on his success in Hootie and The Blowfish to push himself to country renown, he also recalled Universal Nashville label chief Mike Dungan urging him to meet with radio executives everywhere to humanize and ingratiate himself to programmers.

"People needed to go from hearing that I was a superstar making a country record to knowing me as a humble country artist," said Rucker.

Rucker's lifelong country fandom, which had led to him unexpectedly taking the same radio tours his heroes had to take, made those experiences tolerable.

He also discovered how his close-knit Southern family roots, which included five other brothers and sisters, complemented the country industry's core value structure.

"My interactive skills, plus the way I handle myself and treat people benefitted me in those boardrooms," Rucker continued. "I share so many core values with many in country's industry — that's benefitted my longevity in the genre."

Rucker's influences, in their truest light

"For better and for worse, I'm at a place in my career where I can't be pigeonholed, in any respect, by who I am, what I sound like, or what I should or should not be doing," he said. "Now, my influences can shine through in their truest light."

He paused and recites lyrics from "Never Been Over," a ballad regarding his divorce from his 2023-released album "Carolyn's Boy."

"We've been holdin' on to love so long / that we don't know how to run...Splittin' up friends / Splittin' up records / Puttin' up walls / Burnin' down letters / Grass is greener cause there's something better / Waitin' down the line..."

"That's what doing the work on myself through my autobiography has given me the ability to sing," he said. "Being that honest might be hard, but it's also fun."

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Collection: Tales of a Musical Journey for Piano in English

Tales of a musical journey book 1a (english), tales of a musical journey book 1b (english), tales of a musical journey book 2 (english), tales of a musical journey - teacher’s accompaniments - book 1, tales of a musical journey - teacher's accompaniments - book 2, tales of a musical journey activity book 1, tales of a musical journey - activity book 2, teacher handbook - tales of a musical journey (english), tales of a musical journey teacher handbook pdf (english), need help getting started.

Click on the button below to be taken to a guide just for you.

First Piano Lessons

Tales of a Musical Journey

The piano method series primarily developed by Irina Gorin targets 4-7 year old beginners. However, older students will benefit from it too.

The series covers the the span of the first year of study and will sufficiently prepare students for future classical repertoire.

• Lesson Book (1A, 1B, 2)
• Activity Books (1 and 2)
• Teacher Accompaniments
• Teacher Handbook
• Piano Parent Course
• Video Demonstrations (1a and 1b)
• Audio Playalong Tracks

Musical Journey Series

The primary focus of the Musical Journey Series is  to reinforce technical and musical skills acquired in beginning level piano method books such as the Tales of a Musical Journey series.

• Lesson Books (1A, 1B, 2A,2B)
• Activity Books (1A)
• Play-along tracks

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Mikah Carlos Inspires SCC’s Class of 2024

What a gratifying night! Scottsdale Community College’s Spring 2024 Commencement celebrated all the hard work of our newly minted graduates, punctuated with hugs, high-fives, and a few teary goodbyes. Mikah Carlos, a proud Artichoke and a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, returned to her alma mater to share her inspiring journey and impart wisdom to the new graduates.

“It is an honor to address you tonight as an alum of Scottsdale Community College,” Mikah began, reflecting on her journey that started in 2012. After high school, she moved to Philadelphia for college, but family health issues brought her back home to Arizona. “I packed up my bags and moved back across the country to my home and enrolled in classes here at SCC the day before the semester began,” she recounted.

Mikah’s initial time at SCC was marked by struggle and doubt. “I was devastated about moving and wasn’t dedicated to my classes. I thought for a while that I probably wouldn’t ever see graduation,” she admitted. However, the support she received from the SCC faculty made all the difference. “I had a few professors reach out to me and check in to see how they could help, and countless office hours later, I found myself back on track.”

Mikah’s journey from a 1.2 GPA in her first year to a 4.0 GPA in her final semester, all while taking 18 credits, is a testament to her resilience and the supportive environment at SCC. “That wouldn’t have been possible without the support system available to me here at SCC,” she emphasized.

As she transitioned to Arizona State University (ASU), Mikah realized how well SCC had prepared her. She missed the close-knit community, the small classes, and the professors who knew her by name. “Most of all, I missed the free parking,” she joked. “Even after I graduated from ASU, I still found myself returning to SCC to take a few courses here and there to satisfy my desire to keep learning.”

Now a Council Member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Mikah continues to value lifelong learning. “I keep looking at SCC’s course book to see what new skills I can add to my toolbox. I hope you will continue to do the same,” she encouraged the graduates. Her words are a reminder that learning is a lifelong journey, and SCC is always here to support you on your next steps.

Mikah acknowledged the diverse paths students take to graduate. “No matter what your journey looked like getting here, congratulations; you have made it. Never let anyone minimize your victories,” she urged. She encouraged the new alumni to maintain a student mindset, always eager to learn and grow and to stay engaged with SCC. Her words are a call to action, a reminder that SCC is not just a place you graduated from but a community that will always be here for you.

Mikah's story of perseverance, support, and continuous learning resonated with many of us in the audience. We at SCC are proud to count her among our distinguished alumni and are inspired by her journey and dedication to education.

How Many Episodes Are In ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Season 4?

This is it for Power Book II: Ghost . After nearly four years on air, the spin-off series is set to enter its fourth and final season this Friday, June 7. The upcoming season will be split into two halves with part one beginning this Friday and part two airing later this year on September 6, which is the fourth anniversary of the Power Book II: Ghost series premiere. Season four promises a lot of action, drama, unexpected twists, and so much more. So, let’s see how many episodes of that you’ll receive altogether in the upcoming season.

How Many Episodes Are In Power Book II: Ghost Season 4?

Season four of Power Book II: Ghost will have a total of ten episodes. This is the same amount the series in each of its first three seasons . Some fans hoped that season four would deliver 20 episodes because the season was split into two parts months. Unfortunately, that is not the case as the series will stick to the usual 10 episodes for its final season.

Power Book II: Ghost Season 4 , Part 1 & 2 Schedules

• June 7: Episode 1
• June 14: Episode 2
• June 21: Episode 3
• June 28: Episode 4
• July 5: Episode 5
• September 6: Episode 1
• September 13: Episode 2
• September 20: Episode 3
• September 27: Episode 4
• October 4: Episode 5

You can check out the Power Book II: Ghost season four trailer and stay tuned for more on the upcoming season.

Power Book II: Ghost’ season four, part one premieres on June 7. Part two debuts on September 6.

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A Love Letter To The Ocean

Oceans cover nearly 75% of the Earth. While they seem vast and frightening, they're also enchanting and whimsical. This hour, TED speakers dive into stories of connection — and even love — in the sea.

A love story... that begins with a sea urchin

by  Manoush Zomorodi ,  Katie Monteleone ,  Sanaz Meshkinpour

What can we learn from the sex lives of fish?

by  Manoush Zomorodi ,  James Delahoussaye ,  Sanaz Meshkinpour

Why the strange and wonderful parrot fish is in trouble

by  Manoush Zomorodi ,  Fiona Geiran ,  Sanaz Meshkinpour

Could snail venom someday save your life?

by  Manoush Zomorodi ,  Rachel Faulkner White ,  Sanaz Meshkinpour

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Journey of Music (Second Edition) is a three-book series written according to the guidelines set down in Arts Education Key Learning Area Curriculum Guide (P1-S6) (2017) and Music Curriculum Guide (Primary1 – Secondary 3) (2003)from the Curriculum Development Council .

It is designed to achieve the four learning objectives of Arts Education Key Learning Area in the subject of Music (i.e. developing creativity and imagination, developing skills and processes, cultivating critical responses and understanding arts in context) through integrated music activities involving performing, listening and creating. It is suitable for Secondary 1 to 3 students.

Feature-Eng

Food for thought.

• To inspire students on the themes to be covered in each chapter, which motivates them to learn.

Performance Arena

• To provided selected worldwide folk songs, classical music pieces, art songs or pop songs for singing and instrumental playing. Some of the classical or modern tunes are given new Chinese lyrics which match well with the linguistic tones and relative pitches.

Music Activity Zone

• To enable students to reflect and make a conclusion on their experiences gained in integrated music activities.

Music Encyclopedia

• To assist students in their organisation and analysis of the experiences in the integrated music activities and to provide relevant information for them to complete the activities.

Listening For Fun

• To choose pieces or excerpts relevant to the topics and suitable for musical appreciation. With the provision of learning focuses, guidelines and related materials, students are able to appraise music and to think critically while understanding different musical context.

Interactive Activity

• To help students consolidate what they have learnt using information technology such as interactive games and online resources.

Creativity Garden

• To help students to create their own works from what is learnt through creative activities suitable for individual and group participation with the provision of related hints, guidelines, examples and clear appraisal criteria, with e-learning elements added to certain activities. All these help students to create music with confidence, effectiveness and fun.

Music Workshop

• To encourage students to engage in enrichment and self-learning activities in groups after class, including data-collecting assignments for class presentations, so as to boost their self-learning ability.

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Shy Janitor Richard Goodall Crying After Getting Heidi's Golden Buzzer Is So Emotional

Richard Goodall had never been on a plane before, but that didn't stop him from chasing his dreams on AGT Season 19.

America’s Got Talent is a place for people with immense talent, but with sometimes limited access to a grand stage to showcase it. Perhaps no one embodied that more than Season 19 premiere superstar, Richard Goodall. 

How to Watch

Watch America’s Got Talent Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock . 

The humble janitor from Terre Haute, Indiana closed out the premiere episode by kicking the already high talent bar up another notch with a vocal performance you simply had to hear to believe. In fact, it was so good it earned one of the coveted Golden Buzzers from a Judge who was just as moved by his song as everyone in the crowd. 

How Richard Goodall made it to AGT

Before he took the stage, Goodall noted he grew up loving music and listening to it endlessly as a kid. When he got older, he needed money so he took a job as a janitor at a middle school just three blocks from where he lived. To pass the long hours, he would often belt out some jams in the hallways, much to the delight of the students. 

RELATED:  Where You Can Watch AGT 19 This Season

Eventually, he believed them when they told him he had talent, which prompted Goodall to get on a plane for the first time in his life and audition for AGT  19 — and it's a good thing he did! 

What song did Richard Goodall sing for his AGT  audition? 

When he took the stage to answer some of Simon Cowell’s preliminary questions, it was clear to anyone watching that Goodall was shy and a little nervous to perform in what was doubtlessly his biggest crowd ever.

However, all nerves seemingly fell away when he hit the first note of Journey’s 1981 classic “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The Judges and the audience were shocked to hear this quiet janitor suddenly hit the song’s notes with the talent of a seasoned professional singer. It didn’t take long before the crowd was on its feet, with some even being moved to tears.

Heidi Klum awards Richard Goodall her first Golden Buzzer of the season

Perhaps Cowell said it best (and most matter-of-factly) when he told Goodall he was his hero. 

“That was special, genuinely special,” he added. “I think America is going to love you.” 

Sofia Vergara agreed, saying: “I mean that was spectacular, that was fun. This was an amazing surprise. I think you are perfect to come to AGT because you made our night.”

Howie Mandel told the singer he “cleaned up” and called him “amazing” before speculating that all his students watching at home were probably screaming for him. 

However, it was Heidi Klum who gave the highest praise in the form of one of her two Golden Buzzers of the season. 

RELATED:  Heidi Klum's Got Talent: Watch the AGT Judge Yodel a German Son

“Richard, Richard, Richard, you knocked me off my feet,” she said. “I mean we all had the best time with you up on that stage. I really feel something with you up there and I hear you up there… and now, this is what I’m going to do for you, because I love you.” 

With that, she pressed her Golden Buzzer and instantly moved Richard to tears. 

“I’ve never even been on plane,” he said as golden confetti rained down on him. “This was not on my radar to come to California, this was a dream come true.”

After coming up on stage to hug him, Klum accompanied Goodall backstage where he called his fiancée to tell her the good news. While she was clearly proud of him, it was clear she wasn’t surprised his smooth voice earned him a Golden Buzzer. 

Watch all-new episodes of America’s Got Talent, airing Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock .

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