the improvisation is terrifying improvisation is terrifying for a whole
improvisation is terrifying for a whole
improvisation is terrifying for a whole bunch of reasons improvisation is
bunch of reasons improvisation is
bunch of reasons improvisation is terrifying because you have to do it
terrifying because you have to do it
terrifying because you have to do it spontaneously you have to when you’re
spontaneously you have to when you’re
spontaneously you have to when you’re improvising by definition you’re working
improvising by definition you’re working
improvising by definition you’re working off the top of your head kind of like
off the top of your head kind of like
off the top of your head kind of like I’ll be doing more or less for the next
I’ll be doing more or less for the next
I’ll be doing more or less for the next 70 minutes or so improvisation is
70 minutes or so improvisation is
70 minutes or so improvisation is terrifying because not only are you
terrifying because not only are you
terrifying because not only are you working off the top of your head but
working off the top of your head but
working off the top of your head but especially in a musical scenario you’re
especially in a musical scenario you’re
especially in a musical scenario you’re working off the top of your head often
working off the top of your head often
working off the top of your head often in front of a whole bunch of people
in front of a whole bunch of people
in front of a whole bunch of people improvisation is terrifying because
improvisation is terrifying because
improvisation is terrifying because you’re working off the top of your head
you’re working off the top of your head
you’re working off the top of your head in front of a whole bunch of people
usually by yourself when we’re talking
usually by yourself when we’re talking about jazz performance in particular we
about jazz performance in particular we
about jazz performance in particular we often talk we use the words
often talk we use the words
often talk we use the words improvisation and soloing sometimes
improvisation and soloing sometimes
improvisation and soloing sometimes somewhat interchangeably so you’re not
somewhat interchangeably so you’re not
somewhat interchangeably so you’re not always playing by yourself but you’re
always playing by yourself but you’re
always playing by yourself but you’re often playing by yourself so you’re
often playing by yourself so you’re
often playing by yourself so you’re making stuff off the top of you up
making stuff off the top of you up
making stuff off the top of you up you’re making stuff up off the top of
you’re making stuff up off the top of
you’re making stuff up off the top of your head you’re doing it by yourself
your head you’re doing it by yourself
your head you’re doing it by yourself you’re in front of a whole bunch of
you’re in front of a whole bunch of
you’re in front of a whole bunch of people so that’s a real nexus of terror
people so that’s a real nexus of terror
people so that’s a real nexus of terror there’s a whole lot of fear potentially
there’s a whole lot of fear potentially
there’s a whole lot of fear potentially that’s going on in that scenario
that’s going on in that scenario
that’s going on in that scenario especially for novice improvisers so in
especially for novice improvisers so in
especially for novice improvisers so in my jazz ensemble in my improvisation
my jazz ensemble in my improvisation
my jazz ensemble in my improvisation classes one of the first things that we
classes one of the first things that we
classes one of the first things that we have to do is figure out how to
have to do is figure out how to
have to do is figure out how to encounter that anxiety how to encounter
encounter that anxiety how to encounter
encounter that anxiety how to encounter that feeling of exposure and
that feeling of exposure and
that feeling of exposure and vulnerability that students potentially
vulnerability that students potentially
vulnerability that students potentially have or in fact not potentially have
have or in fact not potentially have
have or in fact not potentially have definitely have in this in this kind of
definitely have in this in this kind of
definitely have in this in this kind of situation so and that the work becomes
situation so and that the work becomes
situation so and that the work becomes trying to figure out how to transition
trying to figure out how to transition
trying to figure out how to transition that feeling of vulnerability and
that feeling of vulnerability and
that feeling of vulnerability and feeling of anxiety into something that’s
feeling of anxiety into something that’s
feeling of anxiety into something that’s not paralyzing but into something that’s
not paralyzing but into something that’s
not paralyzing but into something that’s potentially productive so one of the
potentially productive so one of the
potentially productive so one of the first steps that we take us to is it is
first steps that we take us to is it is
first steps that we take us to is it is to figure out how students can recognize
to figure out how students can recognize
to figure out how students can recognize that it’s something that that those
that it’s something that that those
that it’s something that that those feelings of anxiety and vulnerability or
feelings of anxiety and vulnerability or
feelings of anxiety and vulnerability or are things that virtually everybody
are things that virtually everybody
are things that virtually everybody shares if it’s if you’re not feeling
shares if it’s if you’re not feeling
shares if it’s if you’re not feeling vulnerable and anxious in the particular
vulnerable and anxious in the particular
vulnerable and anxious in the particular moment as an improviser it’s likely
moment as an improviser it’s likely
moment as an improviser it’s likely something that you recall pretty
something that you recall pretty
something that you recall pretty viscerally pretty vividly I certainly
viscerally pretty vividly I certainly
viscerally pretty vividly I certainly recall the first moments that I tried to
recall the first moments that I tried to
recall the first moments that I tried to improvise as a jazz saxophonist when I
improvise as a jazz saxophonist when I
improvise as a jazz saxophonist when I was
was
was 13 and feeling that kind of terror
13 and feeling that kind of terror
13 and feeling that kind of terror feeling that kind of fear when I you
feeling that kind of fear when I you
feeling that kind of fear when I you know try to step up in front of a bunch
know try to step up in front of a bunch
know try to step up in front of a bunch of people and do my thing and it’s it’s
of people and do my thing and it’s it’s
of people and do my thing and it’s it’s it’s not something you easily forget so
it’s not something you easily forget so
it’s not something you easily forget so that this does this does a number of
that this does this does a number of
that this does this does a number of things we work on we work on getting
things we work on we work on getting
things we work on we work on getting students to admit publicly to the to the
students to admit publicly to the to the
students to admit publicly to the to the to the anxiety that they’re feeling in
to the anxiety that they’re feeling in
to the anxiety that they’re feeling in and of them in and of themselves and
and of them in and of themselves and
and of them in and of themselves and reciprocally to to recognize that
reciprocally to to recognize that
reciprocally to to recognize that there’s a shared feeling of anxiety and
there’s a shared feeling of anxiety and
there’s a shared feeling of anxiety and in fact a mirrored feeling of anxiety
in fact a mirrored feeling of anxiety
in fact a mirrored feeling of anxiety and vulnerability in the students around
and vulnerability in the students around
and vulnerability in the students around them and so the vulnerability that had
them and so the vulnerability that had
them and so the vulnerability that had been an isolated kind of experience a
been an isolated kind of experience a
been an isolated kind of experience a unique an individual kind of experience
unique an individual kind of experience
unique an individual kind of experience becomes something that’s distributed and
becomes something that’s distributed and
becomes something that’s distributed and that creates a pretty powerful and
that creates a pretty powerful and
that creates a pretty powerful and pretty intimate bond when you realize
pretty intimate bond when you realize
pretty intimate bond when you realize that everybody around you is feeling
that everybody around you is feeling
that everybody around you is feeling more or less the same way that really
more or less the same way that really
more or less the same way that really bring can bring a group can bring a
bring can bring a group can bring a
bring can bring a group can bring a collective much closer together so that
collective much closer together so that
collective much closer together so that certainly goes some distance towards
certainly goes some distance towards
certainly goes some distance towards mitigating that feeling of isolation
mitigating that feeling of isolation
mitigating that feeling of isolation when you realize that you’re not alone
when you realize that you’re not alone
when you realize that you’re not alone with with with your anxiety that you’re
with with with your anxiety that you’re
with with with your anxiety that you’re you’re working together with a group
you’re working together with a group
you’re working together with a group that’s all that’s all dealing with
that’s all that’s all dealing with
that’s all that’s all dealing with similar situation in at a similar point
similar situation in at a similar point
similar situation in at a similar point in time you’re the feeling of isolation
in time you’re the feeling of isolation
in time you’re the feeling of isolation is is minimized to some degree anyway
but the other thing that it does is a
but the other thing that it does is a counter point of that is that is that it
counter point of that is that is that it
counter point of that is that is that it raises the stakes in terms of your
raises the stakes in terms of your
raises the stakes in terms of your desire and your need potentially to to
desire and your need potentially to to
desire and your need potentially to to take care of the other the other
take care of the other the other
take care of the other the other improvisers in the group when you
improvisers in the group when you
improvisers in the group when you recognize some of a kind of fear that
recognize some of a kind of fear that
recognize some of a kind of fear that you’re feeling you have a much greater
you’re feeling you have a much greater
you’re feeling you have a much greater degree of empathy for for for your
degree of empathy for for for your
degree of empathy for for for your recognition of that fear and somebody
recognition of that fear and somebody
recognition of that fear and somebody else and Mykelti Stevens and I were
else and Mykelti Stevens and I were
else and Mykelti Stevens and I were talking earlier about art the sympathy
talking earlier about art the sympathy
talking earlier about art the sympathy that she was feeling having given one of
that she was feeling having given one of
that she was feeling having given one of these TED Talks last year for all of the
these TED Talks last year for all of the
these TED Talks last year for all of the speakers this year and recognizing that
speakers this year and recognizing that
speakers this year and recognizing that the the moments of anxiety and the
the the moments of anxiety and the
the the moments of anxiety and the moments of crisis and also the moments
moments of crisis and also the moments
moments of crisis and also the moments of the moments of power in the moments
of the moments of power in the moments
of the moments of power in the moments of joy that can that can come off in
of joy that can that can come off in
of joy that can that can come off in those in these in these kinds of
those in these in these kinds of
those in these in these kinds of interchanges having that relatability
interchanges having that relatability
interchanges having that relatability and having that just that distribution
and having that just that distribution
and having that just that distribution of structures of feeling creates a
of structures of feeling creates a
of structures of feeling creates a powerful bond and a powerful kind of
powerful bond and a powerful kind of
powerful bond and a powerful kind of relationship so what happens
relationship so what happens
relationship so what happens ideally anyway what we try to get to
ideally anyway what we try to get to
ideally anyway what we try to get to happen is that something that starts out
happen is that something that starts out
happen is that something that starts out as a very individual a very isolated
as a very individual a very isolated
as a very individual a very isolated kind of crisis a musical crisis
kind of crisis a musical crisis
kind of crisis a musical crisis potentially and a crisis of emotion of
potentially and a crisis of emotion of
potentially and a crisis of emotion of crisis of feeling can turn into a kind
crisis of feeling can turn into a kind
crisis of feeling can turn into a kind of collective solidarity from an
of collective solidarity from an
of collective solidarity from an individual crisis to a collective
individual crisis to a collective
individual crisis to a collective solidarity so where is all of this
solidarity so where is all of this
solidarity so where is all of this happening it’s happening effectively and
happening it’s happening effectively and
happening it’s happening effectively and what we talk about a lot in the jazz
what we talk about a lot in the jazz
what we talk about a lot in the jazz ensemble are in my improvisation classes
ensemble are in my improvisation classes
ensemble are in my improvisation classes in the space in the middle and I mean
in the space in the middle and I mean
in the space in the middle and I mean that kind of literally in my ensemble
that kind of literally in my ensemble
that kind of literally in my ensemble rehearsals we set up in a circle we set
rehearsals we set up in a circle we set
rehearsals we set up in a circle we set up in the round so all of the sounds
up in the round so all of the sounds
up in the round so all of the sounds that are being projected into the space
that are being projected into the space
that are being projected into the space are literally being projected into the
are literally being projected into the
are literally being projected into the space in in the middle and so the work
space in in the middle and so the work
space in in the middle and so the work that we do in the ensemble has
that we do in the ensemble has
that we do in the ensemble has everything to do with cultivating that
everything to do with cultivating that
everything to do with cultivating that space in the middle and evidently a lot
space in the middle and evidently a lot
space in the middle and evidently a lot of the work has to do with working on
of the work has to do with working on
of the work has to do with working on musical stuff so in the case of
musical stuff so in the case of
musical stuff so in the case of ascension for instance we worked on
ascension for instance we worked on
ascension for instance we worked on certain melodic ideas like doo de doo
certain melodic ideas like doo de doo
certain melodic ideas like doo de doo doo dum this phrase that you may be
doo dum this phrase that you may be
doo dum this phrase that you may be heard at the beginning of the clip
heard at the beginning of the clip
heard at the beginning of the clip ascension evidently was the two-minute
ascension evidently was the two-minute
ascension evidently was the two-minute clip or so that you heard at the
clip or so that you heard at the
clip or so that you heard at the beginning of this presentation doo doo
beginning of this presentation doo doo
beginning of this presentation doo doo doo doo dah doo dah doo doo dum this is
doo doo dah doo dah doo doo dum this is
doo doo dah doo dah doo doo dum this is a lick that everybody has to play as to
a lick that everybody has to play as to
a lick that everybody has to play as to learn to play together and there are
learn to play together and there are
learn to play together and there are certain rhythmic ideas that we all had
certain rhythmic ideas that we all had
certain rhythmic ideas that we all had to that we all had to learn and we all
to that we all had to learn and we all
to that we all had to learn and we all had to work on but a lot of the work
had to work on but a lot of the work
had to work on but a lot of the work that we do and in fact the first work
that we do and in fact the first work
that we do and in fact the first work that we do has to do first and foremost
that we do has to do first and foremost
that we do has to do first and foremost with listening we work primarily and
with listening we work primarily and
with listening we work primarily and initially on listening and more
initially on listening and more
initially on listening and more specifically on finding a balance
specifically on finding a balance
specifically on finding a balance between listening and speaking or maybe
between listening and speaking or maybe
between listening and speaking or maybe between making sound and not making
between making sound and not making
between making sound and not making sound and using listening as a way to
sound and using listening as a way to
sound and using listening as a way to undergird that that balance is the
undergird that that balance is the
undergird that that balance is the fulcrum between those two those two
fulcrum between those two those two
fulcrum between those two those two things we talk a lot about how about the
things we talk a lot about how about the
things we talk a lot about how about the ethics of contributing or choosing not
ethics of contributing or choosing not
ethics of contributing or choosing not to contribute your sound to that space
to contribute your sound to that space
to contribute your sound to that space in the middle and what that choice to
in the middle and what that choice to
in the middle and what that choice to contribute or not contribute means in
contribute or not contribute means in
contribute or not contribute means in terms of both taking care of the music
terms of both taking care of the music
terms of both taking care of the music that we’re all making together and also
that we’re all making together and also
that we’re all making together and also taking care of the other musicians that
taking care of the other musicians that
taking care of the other musicians that are that are that are that are
are that are that are that are
are that are that are that are contributing because sometimes maybe you
contributing because sometimes maybe you
contributing because sometimes maybe you find that there’s there’s a moment that
find that there’s there’s a moment that
find that there’s there’s a moment that there’s an idea that you have an
there’s an idea that you have an
there’s an idea that you have an in a collective in a collective
in a collective in a collective
in a collective in a collective improvisation that is really going to
improvisation that is really going to
improvisation that is really going to add something substantial to the to the
add something substantial to the to the
add something substantial to the to the mix and you have an intentional an
mix and you have an intentional an
mix and you have an intentional an intentional feeling that this gesture is
intentional feeling that this gesture is
intentional feeling that this gesture is going to do something important but the
going to do something important but the
going to do something important but the last thing that you want to do is just
last thing that you want to do is just
last thing that you want to do is just sort of play because because you’ve got
sort of play because because you’ve got
sort of play because because you’ve got a horn in your mouth or you’ve got a
a horn in your mouth or you’ve got a
a horn in your mouth or you’ve got a guitar in your hands because in a case
guitar in your hands because in a case
guitar in your hands because in a case like this ascension piece that we play
like this ascension piece that we play
like this ascension piece that we play it and I think that some of you maybe
it and I think that some of you maybe
it and I think that some of you maybe were at this concert on September 23rd
were at this concert on September 23rd
were at this concert on September 23rd where we played this tribute to john
where we played this tribute to john
where we played this tribute to john coltrane on John Coltrane’s 90th
coltrane on John Coltrane’s 90th
coltrane on John Coltrane’s 90th birthday in a case like ascension which
birthday in a case like ascension which
birthday in a case like ascension which is a 25 minute long collective
is a 25 minute long collective
is a 25 minute long collective improvisation if everybody’s playing
improvisation if everybody’s playing
improvisation if everybody’s playing full board the whole concert is going to
full board the whole concert is going to
full board the whole concert is going to get really loud really strong key really
get really loud really strong key really
get really loud really strong key really fast and that can be a little boring
fast and that can be a little boring
fast and that can be a little boring certainly it can be a little
certainly it can be a little
certainly it can be a little overwhelming and probably a lot of
overwhelming and probably a lot of
overwhelming and probably a lot of people are going to leap so it’s not
people are going to leap so it’s not
people are going to leap so it’s not necessarily an entirely desirable
necessarily an entirely desirable
necessarily an entirely desirable phenomenon for everybody to be
phenomenon for everybody to be
phenomenon for everybody to be contributing without without listening
contributing without without listening
contributing without without listening but if we’re if we’re thinking carefully
but if we’re if we’re thinking carefully
but if we’re if we’re thinking carefully about the moments that we’re choosing to
about the moments that we’re choosing to
about the moments that we’re choosing to play in the moments that we’re choosing
play in the moments that we’re choosing
play in the moments that we’re choosing not to play then we’re actively
not to play then we’re actively
not to play then we’re actively cultivating that space in the middle and
cultivating that space in the middle and
cultivating that space in the middle and similarly we might choose not to play
similarly we might choose not to play
similarly we might choose not to play because we want to ensure that some of
because we want to ensure that some of
because we want to ensure that some of our colleagues in the group are going to
our colleagues in the group are going to
our colleagues in the group are going to have room to contribute to the space so
have room to contribute to the space so
have room to contribute to the space so we’re listening to the space and we’re
we’re listening to the space and we’re
we’re listening to the space and we’re also listening to the people around us
also listening to the people around us
also listening to the people around us and make sure that everybody is
and make sure that everybody is
and make sure that everybody is everybody has a chance to co-create if
everybody has a chance to co-create if
everybody has a chance to co-create if that’s the other piece here is that the
that’s the other piece here is that the
that’s the other piece here is that the space in the middle is a co-created
space in the middle is a co-created
space in the middle is a co-created space in the same way that vulnerability
space in the same way that vulnerability
space in the same way that vulnerability is distributed vulnerability is
is distributed vulnerability is
is distributed vulnerability is distributed within their group within
distributed within their group within
distributed within their group within the group and that kind of mitigates
the group and that kind of mitigates
the group and that kind of mitigates these anxieties in these fears that we
these anxieties in these fears that we
these anxieties in these fears that we might all be having or at least turns
might all be having or at least turns
might all be having or at least turns turns them into it turns them into
turns them into it turns them into
turns them into it turns them into something that’s potentially productive
something that’s potentially productive
something that’s potentially productive so too is authorship and ownership of
so too is authorship and ownership of
so too is authorship and ownership of the music that we’re making distributed
the music that we’re making distributed
the music that we’re making distributed it’s the thing that we’re creating is
it’s the thing that we’re creating is
it’s the thing that we’re creating is something that is fundamentally shared
something that is fundamentally shared
something that is fundamentally shared the process that we’re engaging in
the process that we’re engaging in
the process that we’re engaging in together is something that’s
together is something that’s
together is something that’s fundamentally shared and so what we’re
fundamentally shared and so what we’re
fundamentally shared and so what we’re working on an effect is something that
working on an effect is something that
working on an effect is something that is equally musical and social we’re
is equally musical and social we’re
is equally musical and social we’re working on creating really good music
working on creating really good music
working on creating really good music but in order to create really good music
but in order to create really good music
but in order to create really good music we need to be empathetic we need to
we need to be empathetic we need to
we need to be empathetic we need to listen carefully to one another we need
listen carefully to one another we need
listen carefully to one another we need to think intentionally and carefully
to think intentionally and carefully
to think intentionally and carefully about what we’re going to say and how
about what we’re going to say and how
about what we’re going to say and how we’re going to say it and when the when
we’re going to say it and when the when
we’re going to say it and when the when the the bonds of when the relationship
the the bonds of when the relationship
the the bonds of when the relationship are working well when the social
are working well when the social
are working well when the social situations is is is beautiful than the
situations is is is beautiful than the
situations is is is beautiful than the musical the musical situation is going
musical the musical situation is going
musical the musical situation is going to be beautiful too so evidently we’re
to be beautiful too so evidently we’re
to be beautiful too so evidently we’re all of these tools and skills are equal
all of these tools and skills are equal
all of these tools and skills are equal parts Musical and social and in fact
parts Musical and social and in fact
parts Musical and social and in fact where the musical and the social are
where the musical and the social are
where the musical and the social are coterminous they’re identical with one
coterminous they’re identical with one
coterminous they’re identical with one to one another the skills of that are
to one another the skills of that are
to one another the skills of that are required of an effective improviser the
required of an effective improviser the
required of an effective improviser the skills that are required to make
skills that are required to make
skills that are required to make improvisation beautiful and powerful are
improvisation beautiful and powerful are
improvisation beautiful and powerful are the same tools that we need to be to be
the same tools that we need to be to be
the same tools that we need to be to be effective people to be effective people
effective people to be effective people
effective people to be effective people in the world to be effective people in
in the world to be effective people in
in the world to be effective people in any kind of communicative and in any
any kind of communicative and in any
any kind of communicative and in any kind of scenario that’s grounded by a
kind of scenario that’s grounded by a
kind of scenario that’s grounded by a dialogical exchange that’s grounded by
dialogical exchange that’s grounded by
dialogical exchange that’s grounded by dialogue and communication and there are
dialogue and communication and there are
dialogue and communication and there are other places of course where we can
other places of course where we can
other places of course where we can practice these tools and skills and as
practice these tools and skills and as
practice these tools and skills and as it happens many of these places are in
it happens many of these places are in
it happens many of these places are in humanities and social science classrooms
humanities and social science classrooms
humanities and social science classrooms or liberal arts classrooms more broadly
or liberal arts classrooms more broadly
or liberal arts classrooms more broadly we might think in I mean in my classes
we might think in I mean in my classes
we might think in I mean in my classes my improvisation class in my jazz
my improvisation class in my jazz
my improvisation class in my jazz ensemble the space in the middle happens
ensemble the space in the middle happens
ensemble the space in the middle happens to be a musical space and the aggregate
to be a musical space and the aggregate
to be a musical space and the aggregate of exchanges and contributions to that
of exchanges and contributions to that
of exchanges and contributions to that space are sounded contributions but we
space are sounded contributions but we
space are sounded contributions but we might think for instance of a philosophy
might think for instance of a philosophy
might think for instance of a philosophy seminar as being another kind of space
seminar as being another kind of space
seminar as being another kind of space in the middle or maybe the the space in
in the middle or maybe the the space in
in the middle or maybe the the space in the middle is not a musical space but
the middle is not a musical space but
the middle is not a musical space but instead it’s a discursive space and the
instead it’s a discursive space and the
instead it’s a discursive space and the contributions that are being made to the
contributions that are being made to the
contributions that are being made to the space from different points around a
space from different points around a
space from different points around a table perhaps aren’t sounded
table perhaps aren’t sounded
table perhaps aren’t sounded instrumental contributions they are
instrumental contributions they are
instrumental contributions they are ideas and words and the whereas in an
ideas and words and the whereas in an
ideas and words and the whereas in an improvised situation we’re thinking
improvised situation we’re thinking
improvised situation we’re thinking about how to negotiate consonance and
about how to negotiate consonance and
about how to negotiate consonance and dissonance and volume and and and and
dissonance and volume and and and and
dissonance and volume and and and and texture and Tambor and these different
texture and Tambor and these different
texture and Tambor and these different kinds of ideas perhaps in the philosophy
kinds of ideas perhaps in the philosophy
kinds of ideas perhaps in the philosophy seminar we’re trying to think about how
seminar we’re trying to think about how
seminar we’re trying to think about how to reach some kind of consensus or how
to reach some kind of consensus or how
to reach some kind of consensus or how to negotiate discrepancies between
to negotiate discrepancies between
to negotiate discrepancies between Accord and discord how to agree and
Accord and discord how to agree and
Accord and discord how to agree and disagree civilly and productively with
disagree civilly and productively with
disagree civilly and productively with one another we could also think in a in
one another we could also think in a in
one another we could also think in a in a much bigger scheme outside of the
a much bigger scheme outside of the
a much bigger scheme outside of the outside of the college’s democracy as
outside of the college’s democracy as
outside of the college’s democracy as being potentially a kind of space in the
being potentially a kind of space in the
being potentially a kind of space in the middle a bigger messier more complicated
middle a bigger messier more complicated
middle a bigger messier more complicated space in the middle with many more
space in the middle with many more
space in the middle with many more contributors but nevertheless a
contributors but nevertheless a
contributors but nevertheless a communique
communique
communique a communicative space and this comes
a communicative space and this comes
a communicative space and this comes from John Dewey among other people but
from John Dewey among other people but
from John Dewey among other people but I’m John Dewey in 1916 in his book
I’m John Dewey in 1916 in his book
I’m John Dewey in 1916 in his book democracy and education suggests the
democracy and education suggests the
democracy and education suggests the democracy is more than a form of
democracy is more than a form of
democracy is more than a form of government it is primarily a mode of
government it is primarily a mode of
government it is primarily a mode of associated living of conjoined
associated living of conjoined
associated living of conjoined communicated experience conjoined
communicated experience conjoined
communicated experience conjoined communicated experience so democracy for
communicated experience so democracy for
communicated experience so democracy for John Dewey is not like the icons of
John Dewey is not like the icons of
John Dewey is not like the icons of democracy the things that we might
democracy the things that we might
democracy the things that we might imagine to that look fixed and permanent
imagine to that look fixed and permanent
imagine to that look fixed and permanent like I mean evidently with Tuesday
like I mean evidently with Tuesday
like I mean evidently with Tuesday coming up the office of the president or
coming up the office of the president or
coming up the office of the president or the rituals of democracy like voting the
the rituals of democracy like voting the
the rituals of democracy like voting the things that are cyclical and routine and
things that are cyclical and routine and
things that are cyclical and routine and have a sense of permanence to them the
have a sense of permanence to them the
have a sense of permanence to them the Lincoln Memorial the Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial the Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial the Washington Monument things that look like they’ve been there
things that look like they’ve been there
things that look like they’ve been there forever and will be there forever
forever and will be there forever
forever and will be there forever because democracy is a process democracy
because democracy is a process democracy
because democracy is a process democracy is never finished the mockery of
is never finished the mockery of
is never finished the mockery of democracy is something that is ongoing
democracy is something that is ongoing
democracy is something that is ongoing and something that we need to continue
and something that we need to continue
and something that we need to continue to work on and that and in that respect
to work on and that and in that respect
to work on and that and in that respect in that respect citizenship is is our
in that respect citizenship is is our
in that respect citizenship is is our citizenship is is kind of constitutive
citizenship is is kind of constitutive
citizenship is is kind of constitutive of the tools that are required the tools
of the tools that are required the tools
of the tools that are required the tools that we need to work on in order to make
that we need to work on in order to make
that we need to work on in order to make our democracy better and to close the
our democracy better and to close the
our democracy better and to close the gap here improvisation classes or
gap here improvisation classes or
gap here improvisation classes or perhaps humanities classes or perhaps
perhaps humanities classes or perhaps
perhaps humanities classes or perhaps liberal arts classes more broadly are
liberal arts classes more broadly are
liberal arts classes more broadly are some of the key places where we’re
some of the key places where we’re
some of the key places where we’re working on cultivating those tools those
working on cultivating those tools those
working on cultivating those tools those tools of citizenship that can enrich and
tools of citizenship that can enrich and
tools of citizenship that can enrich and and live in our democracy so what do we
and live in our democracy so what do we
and live in our democracy so what do we do about the crisis in humanities what
do about the crisis in humanities what
do about the crisis in humanities what do we do when humanities are being
do we do when humanities are being
do we do when humanities are being routinely cut being routinely treated
routinely cut being routinely treated
routinely cut being routinely treated with contempt across the United States
with contempt across the United States
with contempt across the United States and this is this is this is a widespread
and this is this is this is a widespread
and this is this is this is a widespread a ubiquitous problem in the world one of
a ubiquitous problem in the world one of
a ubiquitous problem in the world one of the characters of the I mean the main
the characters of the I mean the main
the characters of the I mean the main character I guess of the the rhetorical
character I guess of the the rhetorical
character I guess of the the rhetorical crisis in the humanities at least is
crisis in the humanities at least is
crisis in the humanities at least is this sense that comes from people like
this sense that comes from people like
this sense that comes from people like Governor Pat McCrory in North Carolina
Governor Pat McCrory in North Carolina
Governor Pat McCrory in North Carolina that the value of an education period is
that the value of an education period is
that the value of an education period is to set students on a singular path
to set students on a singular path
to set students on a singular path towards a singular outcome and the
towards a singular outcome and the
towards a singular outcome and the outcome is a job and the singular path
outcome is a job and the singular path
outcome is a job and the singular path is considered
is considered
is considered the skills that one needs to get that
the skills that one needs to get that
the skills that one needs to get that job and any kind of schooling that
job and any kind of schooling that
job and any kind of schooling that doesn’t that isn’t comprised of that
doesn’t that isn’t comprised of that
doesn’t that isn’t comprised of that kind of singular path that doesn’t
kind of singular path that doesn’t
kind of singular path that doesn’t contribute those singular skills that
contribute those singular skills that
contribute those singular skills that doesn’t result in the in that singular
doesn’t result in the in that singular
doesn’t result in the in that singular outcome isn’t a valuable kind of
outcome isn’t a valuable kind of
outcome isn’t a valuable kind of schooling so Pat McCrory took on gender
schooling so Pat McCrory took on gender
schooling so Pat McCrory took on gender studies as as his particular target in
studies as as his particular target in
studies as as his particular target in 2013 shortly after being elected
2013 shortly after being elected
2013 shortly after being elected governor of North Carolina if you want
governor of North Carolina if you want
governor of North Carolina if you want to take gender studies Pat McCrory said
to take gender studies Pat McCrory said
to take gender studies Pat McCrory said in 2013 go to a private school and take
in 2013 go to a private school and take
in 2013 go to a private school and take it but I don’t want to subsidize that in
it but I don’t want to subsidize that in
it but I don’t want to subsidize that in the IE and the University of North
the IE and the University of North
the IE and the University of North Carolina Public system I don’t want to
Carolina Public system I don’t want to
Carolina Public system I don’t want to subsidize that if it’s if it’s not going
subsidize that if it’s if it’s not going
subsidize that if it’s if it’s not going to get someone a job one can only wonder
to get someone a job one can only wonder
to get someone a job one can only wonder what the North Carolina would look like
what the North Carolina would look like
what the North Carolina would look like a patent we’re taking a few Gender
a patent we’re taking a few Gender
a patent we’re taking a few Gender Studies classes but perhaps that’s a
Studies classes but perhaps that’s a
Studies classes but perhaps that’s a conversation for another day so
conversation for another day so
conversation for another day so concomitant with the with with Pat
concomitant with the with with Pat
concomitant with the with with Pat McCrory’s comments on on gender studies
McCrory’s comments on on gender studies
McCrory’s comments on on gender studies as an invalid illegitimate area of study
as an invalid illegitimate area of study
as an invalid illegitimate area of study the University of North Carolina system
the University of North Carolina system
the University of North Carolina system has been veritably gutted since 2008 and
has been veritably gutted since 2008 and
has been veritably gutted since 2008 and ebony this is a non partisan issue Pat
ebony this is a non partisan issue Pat
ebony this is a non partisan issue Pat McCrory wasn’t governor in 2008 it was
McCrory wasn’t governor in 2008 it was
McCrory wasn’t governor in 2008 it was Democrats who held the gubernatorial
Democrats who held the gubernatorial
Democrats who held the gubernatorial office in 2008 and were the primary
office in 2008 and were the primary
office in 2008 and were the primary agents of that of those of the first
agents of that of those of the first
agents of that of those of the first five hundred million dollars or so of
five hundred million dollars or so of
five hundred million dollars or so of those of those budget cuts and we could
those of those budget cuts and we could
those of those budget cuts and we could look too many other places in the United
look too many other places in the United
look too many other places in the United States for this for this kind of
States for this for this kind of
States for this for this kind of rhetoric and these kinds of these kinds
rhetoric and these kinds of these kinds
rhetoric and these kinds of these kinds of material cuts but i’m just going to
of material cuts but i’m just going to
of material cuts but i’m just going to cherry pick a little bit because this is
cherry pick a little bit because this is
cherry pick a little bit because this is a recent episode Matt Bevin the fairly
a recent episode Matt Bevin the fairly
a recent episode Matt Bevin the fairly recently elected governor of Kentucky
recently elected governor of Kentucky
recently elected governor of Kentucky has recently floated the idea that that
has recently floated the idea that that
has recently floated the idea that that the budget the budgetary appropriations
the budget the budgetary appropriations
the budget the budgetary appropriations to the Kentucky state system should be
to the Kentucky state system should be
to the Kentucky state system should be conditional upon the extent to which
conditional upon the extent to which
conditional upon the extent to which graduates of given programs are finding
graduates of given programs are finding
graduates of given programs are finding work in the fields in there given fields
work in the fields in there given fields
work in the fields in there given fields of study so he suggests that there will
of study so he suggests that there will
of study so he suggests that there will be quote there will be more incentives
be quote there will be more incentives
be quote there will be more incentives to electrical engineers than French
to electrical engineers than French
to electrical engineers than French literature majors they’re just will all
literature majors they’re just will all
literature majors they’re just will all the people in the world that want to
the people in the world that want to
the people in the world that want to study French literature can do so
study French literature can do so
study French literature can do so they’re just not going to be subsidized
they’re just not going to be subsidized
they’re just not going to be subsidized by the taxpayer courageously taking on
by the taxpayer courageously taking on
by the taxpayer courageously taking on French literature Matt Bevin but again
French literature Matt Bevin but again
French literature Matt Bevin but again this is not a partisan issue Barack
this is not a partisan issue Barack
this is not a partisan issue Barack Obama has made similar comments along
Obama has made similar comments along
Obama has made similar comments along along the same same line speaking in
along the same same line speaking in
along the same same line speaking in 2014 at an event in Wisconsin Obama
2014 at an event in Wisconsin Obama
2014 at an event in Wisconsin Obama encouraged encouraged young people at
encouraged encouraged young people at
encouraged encouraged young people at that event to consider schooling in the
that event to consider schooling in the
that event to consider schooling in the trades in in skilled manufacturing over
trades in in skilled manufacturing over
trades in in skilled manufacturing over and above art history in this case he
and above art history in this case he
and above art history in this case he suggested that students that that that
suggested that students that that that
suggested that students that that that took apprenticeships or other kinds of
took apprenticeships or other kinds of
took apprenticeships or other kinds of trade based schooling we’re going to
trade based schooling we’re going to
trade based schooling we’re going to find better-paying jobs and ultimately a
find better-paying jobs and ultimately a
find better-paying jobs and ultimately a better life than what they could find
better life than what they could find
better life than what they could find with an art history major and he went on
with an art history major and he went on
with an art history major and he went on to suggest that he has a great deal of
to suggest that he has a great deal of
to suggest that he has a great deal of respect for art history but the
respect for art history but the
respect for art history but the implication is not so dissimilar from
implication is not so dissimilar from
implication is not so dissimilar from what we’re getting from pat mccrory Matt
what we’re getting from pat mccrory Matt
what we’re getting from pat mccrory Matt Bevin and many other characters in this
Bevin and many other characters in this
Bevin and many other characters in this mix so when we’re faced with a situation
mix so when we’re faced with a situation
mix so when we’re faced with a situation where humanities courses social science
where humanities courses social science
where humanities courses social science courses the liberal arts in general are
courses the liberal arts in general are
courses the liberal arts in general are being routinely treated with such
being routinely treated with such
being routinely treated with such contempt from all of these higher
contempt from all of these higher
contempt from all of these higher offices in the United States when we’re
offices in the United States when we’re
offices in the United States when we’re faced with a situation where when we’re
faced with a situation where when we’re
faced with a situation where when we’re faced with a situation where humanities
faced with a situation where humanities
faced with a situation where humanities courses where social sciences where the
courses where social sciences where the
courses where social sciences where the liberal arts are routinely being
liberal arts are routinely being
liberal arts are routinely being defunded being eliminated in many cases
defunded being eliminated in many cases
defunded being eliminated in many cases across the United States and when we
across the United States and when we
across the United States and when we remember that so much of the work of
remember that so much of the work of
remember that so much of the work of building rich vibrant democratic
building rich vibrant democratic
building rich vibrant democratic citizenship happens in these courses
citizenship happens in these courses
citizenship happens in these courses it’s little wonder that we find
it’s little wonder that we find
it’s little wonder that we find ourselves in the crisis of democracy
ourselves in the crisis of democracy
ourselves in the crisis of democracy that we find ourselves today it’s little
that we find ourselves today it’s little
that we find ourselves today it’s little wonder perhaps that the partisan the
wonder perhaps that the partisan the
wonder perhaps that the partisan the partisan sniping in Washington has has
partisan sniping in Washington has has
partisan sniping in Washington has has effectively ground the machinery of
effectively ground the machinery of
effectively ground the machinery of democracy to a halt perhaps if favor to
democracy to a halt perhaps if favor to
democracy to a halt perhaps if favor to steady improvisation or studied French
steady improvisation or studied French
steady improvisation or studied French literature a little bit learn to listen
literature a little bit learn to listen
literature a little bit learn to listen learn to dialogue productively a little
learn to dialogue productively a little
learn to dialogue productively a little bit better in a in a humanities course
bit better in a in a humanities course
bit better in a in a humanities course in a music improvisation course the
in a music improvisation course the
in a music improvisation course the congressional representatives and
congressional representatives and
congressional representatives and Senators would do a little bit better
Senators would do a little bit better
Senators would do a little bit better job of listening to one another it’s
job of listening to one another it’s
job of listening to one another it’s little wonder perhaps that the American
little wonder perhaps that the American
little wonder perhaps that the American electorate that the citizens of the
electorate that the citizens of the
electorate that the citizens of the United States are increasingly looking
United States are increasingly looking
United States are increasingly looking towards a model of leadership that
towards a model of leadership that
towards a model of leadership that treats listening at
treats listening at
treats listening at self that treats empathy itself with
self that treats empathy itself with
self that treats empathy itself with contempt treats it as if it were a sign
contempt treats it as if it were a sign
contempt treats it as if it were a sign of weakness as if it were a sign of
of weakness as if it were a sign of
of weakness as if it were a sign of indecision rather than something that
indecision rather than something that
indecision rather than something that was evidence of thoughtfulness of caring
was evidence of thoughtfulness of caring
was evidence of thoughtfulness of caring and of conscientiousness so if democracy
and of conscientiousness so if democracy
and of conscientiousness so if democracy is a process and the citizenship is a
is a process and the citizenship is a
is a process and the citizenship is a practice is something that we need to
practice is something that we need to
practice is something that we need to continue to work on and to cultivate
continue to work on and to cultivate
continue to work on and to cultivate what does it say about the work that
what does it say about the work that
what does it say about the work that we’ve been doing or perhaps the work
we’ve been doing or perhaps the work
we’ve been doing or perhaps the work that we’ve been neglecting that has
that we’ve been neglecting that has
that we’ve been neglecting that has allowed our democracy to get our process
allowed our democracy to get our process
allowed our democracy to get our process of democracy to get to the point that it
of democracy to get to the point that it
of democracy to get to the point that it has so when students come to me or as
has so when students come to me or as
has so when students come to me or as often as not when their parents come to
often as not when their parents come to
often as not when their parents come to me and ask me about the value of a
me and ask me about the value of a
me and ask me about the value of a studying music and about the value of
studying music and about the value of
studying music and about the value of studying improvisation of course the
studying improvisation of course the
studying improvisation of course the first thing that I tell them is that
first thing that I tell them is that
first thing that I tell them is that playing music and committing yourself to
playing music and committing yourself to
playing music and committing yourself to making music is one of the most organ
making music is one of the most organ
making music is one of the most organ and for that matter committing yourself
and for that matter committing yourself
and for that matter committing yourself to making art is one of the most
to making art is one of the most
to making art is one of the most important things that you can do in the
important things that you can do in the
important things that you can do in the world being true to that aspect of your
world being true to that aspect of your
world being true to that aspect of your humanity is critical and contributing
humanity is critical and contributing
humanity is critical and contributing beauty to the world is a critical part
beauty to the world is a critical part
beauty to the world is a critical part of of making the world a better and more
of of making the world a better and more
of of making the world a better and more beautiful place but the second thing
beautiful place but the second thing
beautiful place but the second thing that I say is that when you come and
that I say is that when you come and
that I say is that when you come and study improvisation when you come and
study improvisation when you come and
study improvisation when you come and study jazz with me you’ll be working on
study jazz with me you’ll be working on
study jazz with me you’ll be working on listening and you’ll be working on
listening and you’ll be working on
listening and you’ll be working on developing empathy and you’ll be working
developing empathy and you’ll be working
developing empathy and you’ll be working on considering the ethics of co-creation
on considering the ethics of co-creation
on considering the ethics of co-creation because that is a lot of the work that
because that is a lot of the work that
because that is a lot of the work that we do in the humanities and that’s and
we do in the humanities and that’s and
we do in the humanities and that’s and in in in doing that work we’re working
in in in doing that work we’re working
in in in doing that work we’re working on cultivating the human bonds of
on cultivating the human bonds of
on cultivating the human bonds of citizenship and so in doing that work
citizenship and so in doing that work
citizenship and so in doing that work we’re doing our part I think to help and
we’re doing our part I think to help and
we’re doing our part I think to help and I don’t think that I don’t think this is
I don’t think that I don’t think this is
I don’t think that I don’t think this is exaggerating to say this when we’re
exaggerating to say this when we’re
exaggerating to say this when we’re doing that work we’re doing our part to
doing that work we’re doing our part to
doing that work we’re doing our part to heal the fissures and fractures that we
heal the fissures and fractures that we
heal the fissures and fractures that we see in this very broken and very damaged
see in this very broken and very damaged
see in this very broken and very damaged democracy in the United States thank
”
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