Watch the upcoming issues of Strings magazine

Heather Scott (editor of Strings magazine) is writing an article about buying instruments over the internet, and it is an article long overdue. Far too many teachers and students are scared about 'buying on the web', and for no good reason. Because of a few unscrupulous and/or unprofessional retailers selling stringed instruments, the whole, which contains many of the world's most fantastic dealers and retailers, are often placed in the same category alongside them.

I don't want to give away any content of the article, but know that I am incredibly excited that it is finally being written and distributed among the greater string community. This education is sorely needed, and the fact that it is coming from such a reputable source as Strings magazine gives me hope that it will be taken seriously.

Tales from Texas - Bravo on a truly grand scale!

I recently returned from the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) 2008 Convention, and it was truly an enlightening event. The United States is notorious for cutting music programs nationwide, and here we have a state with so many individuals involved in music that 35,000 of which show up for one event. I took note even of one trio that ended up chatting with me at our booth, all of whom were cellists and cello teachers. What was amazing was that they were all from one very small town in the southernmost part of Texas. A tiny town with (at least) three cello teachers (elementary, middle, and high schools)!

I heard of countless stories of not only existing strong music programs, but adding and improving music programs throughout the state.

I applaud Texas for its musical growth, and proving the trend wrong.