The Muse Project - January-February 2009 Newsletter and Updates

Dear Friends of the Project,

It’s time for a New Year’s update.

This past fall, TMP completed its recording of The Constitution of the United States. Working at Tom Zink’s studio in Long Beach, CA, the entire process took seven weeks. Tom, a brilliant musician, composer, and recording engineer was integral in coordinating the singers and other musicians. His exceptional engineering and editing skills were key to creating this massive work. (17 minutes long!) I could not have completed this project without his expertise. The singers were outstanding, capturing the “Broadway” feel of the music. The instrumentalists were also top notch, adding to the color and mood of the piece.

Finally, in October, CD’s were forwarded to PLN for their staff to begin developing lesson plans. Guidebooks for The Constitution will be available by February ‘09.

If you would like to hear samples of The Constitution, go to our website, www.themuseproject.org. You can find them on our audio page.

In mid-October Dr. Bonnie Botel-Sheppard, Executive Director of Penn Literacy Network, met with Eli Lesser, who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and is Director of Education at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. She presented him with current PLN/MUSE materials, as well as our new recording of The Constitution. The National Constitution Center works in conjunction with PennCORD (The PA Coalition for Representative Democracy). By November, we learned that PLN/MUSE had been invited to present a workshop at the PennCORD School Summit on February 10, 2009 in Harrisburg, PA. Representatives from all PA school districts will be participating in this event. We are ecstatic about this invitation and the opportunities it offers us.

For information regarding the PennCORD Summit, go to: http://www.penncord.org/events/43/.

For information regarding The National Constitution Center, go to: http://www.constitutioncenter.org/ncc_home_Landing.aspx

In addition, Dr. David Hall of Thinking Citizen Scholars (http://www.thinkingcitizenscholars.org/), an organization dedicated to the professional development in American History and Social Studies education, has incorporated PLN/MUSE into it’s grant program.

Most recently, I’ve been invited by Women For: Orange County, a grassroots, activist, educational organization, to give the keynote presentation at their opening meeting on Sunday, January 18. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to present TMP at this venue. Exciting stuff!! http://www.womenforoc.org/

While we did not have a fall salon, I hope we will be able to coordinate an event this Spring, ‘09. As you can see, we are growing. Though it feels to me like we’re moving at a snail’s pace, our supporters continually remind me of our great progress.

Best to you in 2009.

Lynda Roth - The Muse Project

I’ve attached some photos from the recording sessions this past fall.

Paul Clausen (right) and Joe Settineri (left) hard at play!

Lynda Roth and Tom Zink mixing/editing

Lynda and Tom mixing/editing....Notice the Mozart finger
puppet on the mixing board....Great inspiration!