September 11, 2008
What began as a bright and sunny day here in Central Illinois has turned a bit dismal with the onset of a slow & steady rain. I find myself sitting at my desk and contemplating the events of 9-11-2001. (Exhaustion from the first week of classes may, too, have something to do with this state). Less than 1 month later in that year, Michael Dougherty was scheduled to visit our Midwest studio and my staff. I remember it vividly – wondering if he’d even make the trip. Flight times were still drastically reduced, and even the most avid of travelers was re-thinking the need to fly if it weren’t crucial. At a dinner with my staff (and Michael’s daughter, Frances, who got to accompany Dad on this trip), he talked to us about the need for Kindermusik. “In times like these”, he said, “We are reminded more than ever of the important work that we do.” Spoken from his heart, I remember being overcome with emotion, and a new passion and attitude for spreading the Kindermusik “word.” Helping families spend time together in a meaningful way, fostering a child’s growth and development, spreading love… Families NEED us! Children NEED us. It was much-needed fuel to forward our mission at that time.
In these economic times, and remembering, today, the tragic events of 9/11, we need to rekindle our passion, and boldly “sell” Kindermusik as the “SO MUCH MORE THAN MUSIC” that we know it is. We need not apologize to a parent for the investment in education that he will make for his child, and indeed for his entire family (while being sensitive, of course, to his need for options and help in making the experience possible). We must stand proud and confident in our knowledge of the potential we have to change the world with music. We must not give in to the excuses of tough economic times. Though tough times may require tough measures, investing in children is still at the top of any parent’s priority list. We need to embrace that and not be deterred….
I hope this finds your semester full of smiling little faces! I can’t wait to see you all in November at the Raleigh Convention - (An investment in your Kindermusik future).
Katie Henderson
PKE Board
Advisor for Professional Development
What began as a bright and sunny day here in Central Illinois has turned a bit dismal with the onset of a slow & steady rain. I find myself sitting at my desk and contemplating the events of 9-11-2001. (Exhaustion from the first week of classes may, too, have something to do with this state). Less than 1 month later in that year, Michael Dougherty was scheduled to visit our Midwest studio and my staff. I remember it vividly – wondering if he’d even make the trip. Flight times were still drastically reduced, and even the most avid of travelers was re-thinking the need to fly if it weren’t crucial. At a dinner with my staff (and Michael’s daughter, Frances, who got to accompany Dad on this trip), he talked to us about the need for Kindermusik. “In times like these”, he said, “We are reminded more than ever of the important work that we do.” Spoken from his heart, I remember being overcome with emotion, and a new passion and attitude for spreading the Kindermusik “word.” Helping families spend time together in a meaningful way, fostering a child’s growth and development, spreading love… Families NEED us! Children NEED us. It was much-needed fuel to forward our mission at that time.
In these economic times, and remembering, today, the tragic events of 9/11, we need to rekindle our passion, and boldly “sell” Kindermusik as the “SO MUCH MORE THAN MUSIC” that we know it is. We need not apologize to a parent for the investment in education that he will make for his child, and indeed for his entire family (while being sensitive, of course, to his need for options and help in making the experience possible). We must stand proud and confident in our knowledge of the potential we have to change the world with music. We must not give in to the excuses of tough economic times. Though tough times may require tough measures, investing in children is still at the top of any parent’s priority list. We need to embrace that and not be deterred….
I hope this finds your semester full of smiling little faces! I can’t wait to see you all in November at the Raleigh Convention - (An investment in your Kindermusik future).
Katie Henderson
PKE Board
Advisor for Professional Development
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