Inspirational Story

INSPIRATIONAL STORY
LEARNING PIANO...

Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. 

Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn. 

Over the months, he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play some day." 

But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in. 

Then one day, Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed, because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later, I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mom had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing. "Miss Hondorf...I've just got to play!" he insisted. 

I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be alright. 

The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my " curtain closer". 

Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an egg-beater through it. "Why didn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?"

Robby pulled out the piano bench and began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. 

His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo ... from allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by someone his age! 

After six and a half minutes, he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause. Overcome and in tears, I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it?" 

Through the microphone Robby explained: 

"Well, Miss Hondorf ... remember I told you my mom was sick? 

Well, actually, she had cancer and passed away this morning. 

And well ... she was born deaf 

so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. 

I wanted to make it special." 

There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil. 

No, I've never had a protégé, but that night I became a protégé ... of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil. For it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why. 

"Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others 

without getting a few drops on yourself"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

courtesy of:

www.agiftofinspiration.com.au

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Infographic: "Learning to Think Like an Artist" - Art is Good!

INFOGRAPHIC: ART IS GOOD!

"LEARNING TO THINK LIKE AN ARTIST"

How learning art is good for us?

What do we learn from art?

1. Art stimulates both sides of the brain and creates a holistic world view.
2. Children who do art are better readers and excel in math and science.
3. Children express themselves and learn about who they are. Their art is unique.
4. Arts builds self-esteem and is empowering.
5. Art is something to share. It builds connections to friends, family and community.
6. Art teaches risk taking and learning from one's mistake.
7. Art teaches the use and care of tools.
8. Art develops hand-eye coordination and builds a relationship to the material world.
9. Art teaches open-ended thinking and creates an environment of questions rather than answers.
10. Art teaches children that there be more than one solution to the same problem.
11. Art nurtures the human soul.
12. 33% of children are visual learners.
13. Art develops focus and increases the attention.
14. Art provides a way, a common ground to reach across racial stereotypes, social barriers, and prejudices.
15. Art steps out of the limitation of time (everlasting) and allows a child to be present in the moment.
16. Art is beautiful.
17. Art open the heart and mind to possibilities.
18. Art is mysterious, enchanting, amazing, mesmerizing, and something all children easily do while adults often find it difficult.
19. When art is integrated with other curriculum areas, children become more engaged in the learning process.
20. Children can share and reflect on their art to learn about themselves, each other, and the world that they live in.
21. Art teaches one to explore playfully, without preconceived plan, learning from accidents, and being surprised.
22. Art awakens the imaginations and allows the magic in.
23. Art creates direct observational skills, learning to see more closely than "ordinary" looking and seeing things that otherwise might not be seen.
24. The beginning of recorded history is directly connected to cave paintings and sculptures.
25. Art develops instinct and intuition. 
26. A Pablo Picasso paintings sold for 104 million dollars.

Thanks for the courtesy of

4Cats Arts Studio

You don’t need a high class education to find “meaning” of art. Art either speaks to you or it doesn’t. If a piece does not move you, or hold meaning in your heart, why should you bother with it at all if art is an expression of yourself?

Any form of expression that moves you; a sight, image, visual, sound that strikes any emotion inside you. To me, art is personal and emotional. In traditional times people had more classic tastes and were very likely moved by an image of a beautiful lady. As society changed so did what people viewed as beautiful. 

Art is a way of expression that comes from the heart and soul to create one’s identity. Art does not specifically have to be a picture that that an “artist” drew. Art can be anything, from a spectacular masterpiece to the simplest body movement, it is all art.  Art can be done by anyone and anything, all it takes is the two simple factors of the heart and soul.

Art is created through human emotions and no matter if those emotions are negative or positive the outcome is…BEAUTIFUL. A world within itself, with a language we could all understand.

So, did you "see" art in life all around you? 

Open your heart and mind, then be inspired! 

"The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and endure very much"

- William Hazlitt -

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Piano Sheet Mr. Bean's Theme (Original & Animated Series)

PIANO SHEET: MR. BEAN'S THEME 

(Original & Animated Series)

ABOUT MR. BEAN

Mr. Bean is a British comedy television programme series of 14 twenty-five-minute episodes written by and starring Rowan Atkinson as the title character. Based on a character originally developed by Atkinson while he was studying for his master's degree at Oxford University, the series follows the exploits of Mr. Bean, described by Atkinson as "a child in a grown man's body", in solving various problems presented by everyday tasks and often causing disruption in the process. Bean rarely speaks, and the largely physical humor of the series is derived from his interactions with other people and his unusual solutions to situations.

The title character, played by Rowan Atkinson, is a childish and self-centered buffoon who brings various unusual schemes and contrivances to everyday tasks. He lives alone in his small flat in Highbury, and is almost always seen in his trademark tweed jacket and a skinny red tie. He also usually wears a digital calculator watch. Mr. Bean rarely speaks, and when he does, it is generally only a few mumbled words which are in a comically low-pitched voice. His first name (he names himself "Bean" to others) and profession, if any, are never mentioned. In the first film adaptation, "Mr." appears on his passport in the "first name" field, and he is shown employed as a guard at London's National Gallery. In Mr. Bean's Holiday, however, his name is listed on his passport as "Rowan", the actor's first name.

Mr. Bean often seems unaware of basic aspects of the way the world works, and the programme usually features his attempts at what would normally be considered simple tasks, such as going swimming, using a television set, redecorating or going to church. The humor largely comes from his original (and often absurd) solutions to problems and his total disregard for others when solving them, his pettiness, and occasional malevolence.

Mr. Bean "Piano Player"

ORIGINAL SERIES

The first episode of the original Mr. Bean series starring Rowan Atkinson was first broadcast on 1st January 1990. Since then Mr. Bean has become known all over the world. Created by Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis and Robin Driscoll, there were only 14 episodes ever made.

The original series emerged from Rowan Atkinson's stage revues of the 1980's which featured the silent odd-ball. Rowan Atkinson's comic acting genius has created a highly original work for television. The Mr. Bean series has been sold to 190 territories worldwide and has won an International Emmy and the Golden Rose of Montreux.

ANIMATED SERIES

In 2002 the character was transformed into an animated series of 26 half hour episodes. The series remains entirely faithful to the original Mr. Bean, with the character still living very much in the real world. Rowan Atkinson provides all of Mr. Bean's vocal sounds.

The Animated Series has heralded a new era for one of the UK's most successful characters of all time. Rowan Atkinson worked on the transformation to animated character and acted out every episode in front of the cameras so that the animators could capture the unique movement of Britain's most infamous character.

Characters from the original live action series included Mr. Bean, Irma Gobb, Teddy, and the mysterious driver of the Reliant Supervan, with the new addition of Mrs. Wicket, Bean's landlady, and her evil cat Scrapper.

The series again featured little actual dialogue, with most being either little sound bites or mumbling and mild slapstick. Rowan Atkinson provided the voice for Bean; additionally, all of the animated Bean actions are taken from Atkinson himself.

ORIGINAL VS ANIMATED SERIES

Like the live action series, there isn't much talking. But I think it's wonderful that Rowan Atkinson supplies what mumblings there is for Mr. Bean. And you've got to love his horrid landlady Mrs.Wicket when she yells "BEAN" at the top of her lungs. (She makes him do all the house and yard work and her grocery shopping; does she give him a break on the rent?!) The plots are terrific.

The animation style is brilliant. Very refreshing. Kind of a retro style with regards to the simplified backgrounds. Really nice colors. The trees are like the ones in Looney Tunes or Pink Panther cartoons. The characters are superbly drawn, capturing the rubbery facial expressions of Rowan Atkinson. I like the heavy outlines on the characters to set them off from the backgrounds, and I find it amusing that their feet aren't attached to their legs, lol.

Mr. Bean "Learn How To Play Piano"

Mr. Bean "Having a Piano Lesson"

There are some clear differences between live action and animated "Mr. Bean" material, which is not a bad thing. "Mr. Bean: The Animated Series" has less of the realistic sitcom style that the original series has, and sometimes has more of a fantasy touch to it, an example being the episodes involving Bean having encounters with animals, definitely cartoon-style animals. Since this is a cartoon, it makes sense that it has more cartoon-style qualities. The show also has different theme music (piano music instead of choir music this time). The two also have their similarities. Like before, the humor here is pretty visual. The animated Mr. Bean does make more sounds and mumble more than the original live action version of the character does, but it's still mostly about the visual humor, and as a fan of the original series, it's a must watch series!

THE MUSIC

Mr. Bean features a choral theme tune written by Howard Goodall and performed by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral (later Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford). 

The words sung during the title sequences are in Latin:

• Ecce homo qui est faba – "Behold the man who is a bean" (sung at beginning) 
• Finis partis primae – "End of part one" (sung before the advertisement break) 
• Pars secunda – "Part two" (sung after the advertisement break) 
• Vale homo qui est faba – "Farewell, man who is a bean" (sung at end)

Watch "Ecce Homo Qui Est Faba"

The theme was later released on Goodall's album Choral Works. Goodall also wrote an accompanying music track for many episodes. The first episode of Mr. Bean did not feature the choral theme tune, but instead an up-beat instrumental piece, also composed by Howard Goodall, which was more an incidental tune than a theme. It was used while Bean drove between locations intimidating the blue Reliant, and as such, was sometimes heard in later episodes whenever Bean's nemesis is seen.

Mr. Bean "Chariots of Fire" with London Symphony Orchestra

(Opening Ceremony of London 2012 Olympics)

Mr Bean featured in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics playing the Chariots of Fire theme (by Vangelis) with the London Sympony Orchestra. The arrangement for the event was by Howard Goodall.

Download the piano sheet of Mr Bean's Theme (animated series) Page 1 & Page 2

Download the MP3 of Mr Bean's Theme (animated series) HERE

Listen to the music & sibelius film score HERE  

Watch Mr. Bean's Theme

 

 

LYRICS "ECCE HOMO"

Ecce homo qui est faba 

Ecce homo qui est faba 

Vale homo qui est faba 

qui est faba qui est faba 

Vale homo qui est faba 

Vale homo qui est faba 

qui est faba 

Translation: 

Behold the man who is a bean. 

Farewell the man who is a bean.

 

Download the piano sheet of Howard Goodall "Ecce Homo" HERE

Download the MP3 of Howard Goodall "Ecce Homo" HERE 

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