Sounds of Encouragement

Michael Faire is currently a student at Reinhardt University, studying music performance and music composition. His current teachers are Hollie Pritchard and Dr. Chris Ferebee. He currently is the bass trombonist of the Reinhardt University Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. On top of playing with various ensembles, he also is the music librarian for the instrumental department at Reinhardt. Michael is also currently the bass trombonist of the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra and one of the youngest members. Previously he has held a position with the Forsyth Philharmonic. Michael also works with Lambert HS as part of their brass staff, and works with other local high schools as a brass clinician and adjudicator. He also holds a private studio on the side. In his free time, Michael enjoys being outdoors doing various activities, and playing video games.

Michael's Top 4 Songs of Encouragement
1) Symphony No. 4 by David Maslanka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHwt0qQVpFY
2) Song for Health by Verhelst/Schippers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_b5BP95ws0
3) Ordner Seg by Oystein Baadsvik performed by Brian Hecht
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNY97FTMGDQ
4) Enigma Variations Finale by Elgar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCpb8ZsgJ6k

Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Travis Lohmann is a composer for film/media. Various film festivals showcasing Travis' music are: LA 48 Hour Film Festival, The United GI Film Festival, The Dam Short Film Festival, and the Laughlin International Film Festival. His music can be heard on various TV networks including: NBC Sports, Discovery, Oxygen, Lifetime, and Bravo. In 2015, Travis had the opportunity to perform with Circus Couture in their charity event "Twelve". In 2017, he composed the music for "Blue" and "Green" Acts in their show "PRYSM". He is also published by Piano Pronto and is a member of their Composers Community. In addition to composing, Travis is an active performer and has played at venues including: The Joint At the Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, Orleans Resort, and the Heartland Mansion. Travis Lohmann is a proud member of ASCAP
You can find Travis at:
https://www.travislohmannmusic.com/
https://soundcloud.com/travislohmannmusic/sets/showcase-demos
https://pianopronto.com/composers-community/travis-lohmann/

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) Interns Get Started by Theodore Shapiro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0z1r0R9G9g
2) The Newsroom by Thomas Newman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_7vD6CpphM
3) Everwood Theme by Blake Neely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s3TekhWVWo
4) Bend and Break by Keane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83gNQClS11Q
5) The Storm by Flying Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6cWcavpOMQ&list=PLlvhveVHPs37VvOH9GBAFFAsPhAnQ1dr1

Jennifer Foxx is nationally recognized from her teacher resource blog, MusicEducatorResources.com. She runs a successful piano studio in AZ, has been interviewed on several music podcasts and has written articles for several music publications. She enjoys presenting and creating music resources and curriculum for teachers to use in their studios.

Jennifer's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement:
1) Footloose by Kenny Loggins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltrMfT4Qz5Y
2) He Hears Me by Hillary Weeks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZT8IO0md_w
3) Defying Gravity (from Wicked) by Stephen Schwartz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEq3xM-i0Ng
4) Goodnight and Go by Imogen Heap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqjWodek8ZM
5) Garden of Babylon by The Rippingtons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI-BVnIZEy8

Eric Branner is the CEO/Co-Founder of Fons. He’s a third-generation music teacher, plays guitar, and wrote the Blackforrest Guitar Companion. In another life, he dreams of being a pro surfer He lives in Seattle with his family Alyson, Edie, and Huck.

To learn more about Eric Branner, please visit
https://www.ericbranner.com/#intro
To learn more about Fons, please visit
https://fons.com/

Eric's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement:
1) Appalachian Waltz by Mark O'Connor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vguZmqHJ6OA
2) Canned Good by Greg Brown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv6Q58RLSwc
3) Hold On by Tom Waits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P5jV4lHHR0
4) Return of the Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PytxPaU6k4
5) Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios by Barrios, played by John Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0iEdr7AGb8

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Aaron has acted on stage nearly his entire life--from playing Tom Sawyer in first grade to The Criminologist in the Claremont Colleges production of the Rocky Horror Show. He started a professional acting career in Israel after playing the role of Tom Collins in the country's first production of Rent. In 2010 he returned to the U.S. to enter a doctoral program in communication. In 2017 he resumed his acting career and was soon cast in the comedic feature film "Hey, Mr. Postman!" (2018). Aaron resides in Los Angeles and regularly hosts "Conversations & Karaoke"--a live social media show.

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1. Procession of the Levites (Orchestral Prelude) by Richard Smallwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKOMN_IDOFA

2. God's Got a Blessing by Norman Hutchins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g06zqoRr3gY

3. Unspeakable Joy by Kim English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqKIuLf4vLw

4. Flames by David Guetta & Sia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-D7hBRCF_Q

5. Happy Face by Destiny's Child
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INnslRPMnbw

Look at you! Using those 2 little words to spread positivity, encouragement, and build community! 
I encourage you to do 2 things with your Thank You's:

1) Be Intentional - don't throw those words away or utter them under your breath; be intentional about thanking people in your daily and weekly interactions - genuine, sincere thanks directed to another person creates connection and builds community.

2) Be Specific - say thank you for something specific, use a person's name, share a specific reason for your 'thank you.' You will make someone's day! And that can spread...and build community.

Thank you, for listening to Sounds of Encouragement. Thank you for sharing these episodes with friends. Thank you for leaving positive reviews and comments. Thank you for recommending guests for interviews. Thank you for suggesting topics. Thank you for encouraging me!

Join me for this wonderful conversation with Derek Vann!

The day we recorded there were internet issues that affected the audio quality. As much as possible was done to correct the audio in post-production, but please be sure to click the links to listen to Derek's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement. Thank you for listening!

Derek Vann began studying piano and composition with his mother, Gayle Vann,
at the age of six. Derek has won numerous awards for composition, most notably
including winning the Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Contest in 2009. His entry,
entitled “Sounds of Madrid” was published by FJH in 2010. This piece was later selected
in the 2014-2016 NFMC Bulletin.
In March of 2009, Derek won the Atlanta-Bauru (Brazil) Piano Competition at
Georgia State University, whose prize involved touring 3 cities in Brazil in 2010 as a
concert performer. In 2013, Derek won GSU’s Brumby Concerto Competition, and was
privileged to perform Tchaikovsky’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Georgia State
Symphony Orchestra. In 2016, he was awarded a Scholarship for the Master Piano
International Courses by the Chopin Society of Atlanta, whose prize funded a trip to
study at Piano Courses in Paris, France and Valldemossa, Spain. In 2017, Derek
completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Piano Performance at Georgia State
University, studying with Dr. Sergio Gallo.
In addition to his piano performance career, Derek started a family young:
marrying his lovely wife, Stephanie in 2011 and starting a family to now include three
beautiful children: Ethan (9), Sydney (5), and Katelyn (1). Working at PianoWorks in
Duluth since 2012, Derek now serves as their Lead Piano Sales Rep, Print Music
Manager, and Web Store Manager. Complementing his work in sales, Derek also enjoys
teaching a thriving independent studio of over 20 students, ranging from young
beginners to adults and even fellow teachers seeking to enhance their knowledge of
advanced repertoire. As a teacher, Derek is active in NFMC Festivals and serves as VP of
Membership for North Dekalb MTA

Be sure to visit www.pianoworks.com for your sheet music and piano needs.

Derek's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30, Opus 109 in E Major
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15EFrXnj49Q

2) Rachmaninov's Prelude Op. 23, No. 4 in D Major
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VCkuCVK2Pg

3) Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJ4I-OXKd0

4) He Will Call
https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/sing-out-joyfully/151-he-will-call/?media=sjjc

5) The New World to Come
https://www.jw.org/en/library/music-songs/original-songs/the-new-world-to-come/

Bonus: Here is a clip of Derek playing the Beethoven Sonata 109
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vz1Tr8qZo4

Sometimes we all just need to STOP. 
It's actually okay to do that. So stop for a moment, or a day, or a weekend, and do what you need to do for yourself and the people you love. 
If anyone asks...just tell them I gave you permission to stop and it's all going to be okay.

Christina Whitlock, M.M., N.C.T.M., operates a lively independent piano studio, in addition to teaching adjunct at Taylor University. Christina is a past state president of the Indiana Music Teachers Association, as well as a frequent speaker, adjudicator, and collaborator. Her passion for celebrating the music teaching profession has recently spilled over into a weekly podcast titled, Beyond Measure.  Christina is a wife and mom to two daughters, who keep her humble in the best possible ways.

Find the Beyond Measure Podcast anywhere you get your favorite podcasts.

Here are Christina's Top 5 Songs of Encouragement:
1) Beethoven Sonata No. 30, Opus 109, Mvt. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbMBhuHYJBE

2) "You'll Be Back" by Lin Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFN-aqPJH8

3) Palestrina: Exultate Deo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRmkj19i4Yk

4) Part the Waters/I Need Thee Every Hour by Selah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bTj2s_s7wU

5) "Misty" by Sarah Vaughan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bTj2s_s7wU