Open letter to Odell Borg, High Spirits Flutes and in Invitation to you

[Gale Holzhauer]

The attached emails and accompanying video were sent to Odell Borg, Owner of High Spirits Flutes who is working with us to place performance-quality handmade flutes in the hands of students of autism and other disabilities to inspire and bring musical expression to life.  We need friends of music to create social experiences through natural environment gatherings that teach natural environment skills.  You can contact me for more information and if you or your student would like to begin lessons and make music together with others.  My contact information is below. - Gale Quackenbush

On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 10:19 PM, Gale Quackenbush <differen...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Odell and company,

After our discussion about using video to present the Native American Flute experience to individuals and families with autism, the idea was confirmed by some of my students and families.  I had one young man in mind especially since he has been studying with me for awhile both Native American Flute and now recorder.  Jesse has autism and is gifted in many areas not the least of which is his sense of humor.  His main area of interest centers around acoustical engineering.  For instance, Jesse looks for specific recording labels and pressings on the vinyl he collects and can tell you how and when the labels changed and the mono to stereo processes developed and were used by various studios both nationally and internationally.  Our lessons were being audio-taped from the beginning by his own initiative.  Last year, we performed at the Tucson Botanical Gardens during their holiday Luminiaria Nights event as guests of Desert Spirits Native American Flute Choir.  We passed out percussion instruments for participants to join in song on our NAF rendition of "Hanukkah, O Hanukkah" and performed "Beneath the Raven Moon" written and performed by Mary Youngblood, from her Grammy-award winning album of the same name.  It is a mission for me in my work to bring the joy of music-making, and of course the beauty and growing versatility of the native american flute, to our disability community.   The joy of music and group music-making is a gift that life gives to all of us and should not be denied to anyone.  I truly appreciate from the bottom of my heart the kind support of High Spirits Flutes in helping us make this a reality in Tucson and beyond. 

Sincerely,

 

Gale E. Quackenbush

Educator/Facilitator

BA Music/M Education

Different Drum Learning Designs, LLC
520-370-7153
Differen...@gmail.com

www.differentdrumlearning.com
www.differentdrumcircles.com

Feel the Difference!

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