I remember getting into an actual argument with a close friend of mine a few years ago when he vehemently disagreed with me over this idea: there are some redeeming qualities, some good points, something to like about every style of music in the world, without exception. Somebody likes it; it wouldn't exist otherwise. A listener just should try to hear what those people hear. Oh, no, he said, there was absolutely nothing at all to like about ____ music. He wasn't about to hear a word to the contrary. I think he was disappointed I wouldn't share his hate - two people disliking something together can be a stronger connection than liking something together.
I think I know this group fairly well on the whole, and of course there's some music each of us dislike. That said, I think most of you would agree with my thesis... that there is something to enjoy in every genre under the sun. Sometimes, it's just harder to find.
I preface my news with this anecdote because it's going to help me get through my homework this weekend. In fact, now that I think about it, I think I already shared it. Anyways, my time as a music teacher at the English school is over for now. Sort of. After 3 weeks of no attendees at the student "Making Music" club (one kid did come to the last one, but that's just because he wanted to hangout with his teacher), the school pulled the plug and asked me to try to come up with a better idea, one that get more engagement from the students.
On my first day of my regular classes, I always get my students to talk a little about what they like to do in their spare time. In every class, there's at least one, usually two or three who are committed fans to one type of music. Well, we announced a club for them today. Guess who's leading it?
My goal is to get it up and going to the point where the students can run it themselves. For now though, I've got a bunch of K-pop games and activities to find.