The #1 Most Important Anti-bullying Message

Nov 102011

Let’s Write a Song Together

During a recent 30-minute songwriting workshop following a ”Be a Peacemaker” anti-bullying assembly program at a K-5 elementary school, I collaborated with a group of students to write an original song that would reinforce the messages learned in the assembly program. I often wonder about how much impact I can have on a group of students in a 50-minute assembly program but it became clear to me that at least one person was paying attention to the messages in the program.

The #1 Anti-bullying Message

I believe that the most important message of my “Be a Peacemaker” anti-bullying program is that in order to respect others and receive respect you must first respect yourself. I believe that the more self confidence a person has, the less likely they are bully or make fun of others or to become victims of bullying. I do this by explaining that we all possess an “inner magic” which could be a talent, ability, a passion or a potential for greatness which sets us apart from each other. I encourage each student not only to explore their inner magic is but I explain that the #1 rule for being a Peacemaker is to treat others like they have magic inside and to “bring out the magic” in others.

Tingles up and down my Spine

The “AHA” moment for me came at the beginning of the songwriting workshop when I asked the kids to come up with a related topic or song title that they would like to write about. Then a fourth grade student raised her hand and said “you told us that we all have magic inside and that our goal as peacemakers is to figure out what our inner magic is and to treat others like they have magic inside and to help others find their inner magic. Let’s write a song about that”. Her comment brought an immediate smile to my face and sent tingles up and down my spine. We went on to write and perform a terrific original song called “Everybody’s Got Magic Inside”. Moments like this make it all worthwhile for me because at that moment it became clear to me that this girl’s life was changed for the better and as a result, it had a ripple effect which spread to the other students in the workshop.

Thanks for reading and please leave a comment.

Jeff

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VIP Performance

Prek-Grade 6 Programs No Responses »

Apr 212011

The Best Compliment

It’s no secret that I love compliments and testimonials from satisfied clients. After all, who doesn’t? However, the best compliment that I can ever get as a performer actually doesn’t come in the form of a typical compliment or video testimonial. It usually comes in the form of a phone call or email that says “Everybody loved your program so much and we want to book you again”. Likewise, receiving a similar phone call or email saying “I was referred to you from so and so and I would like to book you to come to perform for our students.”

For me, there is no better feeling than knowing that I have impacted people’s lives and gained their trust in such a way that they have either decided to have me return for another performance and/or they have decided to put their necks on the line by recommending me to others who they think would benefit from my programs.

VIP Day

Earlier this year I received such a call from Kerrie McDonnell from Spring Lake Heights Elementary School and this past Friday I had the pleasure of returning to perform at their annual VIP day. Each student can invite an adult VIP (Usually their parents) to come to school and spend the day with them. I was honored to have my performance kick off the special day.

Afterwards, Kerrie McDonnell was nice enough to say a few words about my performance which I have included on the video below.

Thanks for reading and watching and as always please look around the site and feel free to post comments. Also, for more information on assembly programs for students of all grade levels from K-12 please visit www.magicalsongwriter.com.

Jeff Blum

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Songwriting

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Mar 302011

Writing my first song

I remember writing my first song. It was 1978 and I was a lonely 19 year old college student driving alone late at night back to school from the Jersey shore to University of Maryland. I couldn’t get any radio stations to come in clearly so I just started singing. Being an avid New York Mets fan I started singing the slogan of the Mets at the time which was “The Magic is Back” which of course was not true. Anyway,by the time I got to Delaware, I had most of the song written in my head. I remember arriving at my fraternity house in the middle of the night and even though I was exhausted, I picked up my guitar and finished the process by figuring out the music that went along with my made up tune.

It wasn’t until many years later through much trial and error and time and energy that I figured out some of the finer points of songwriting and recording music. It wasn’t until 20 years later when my songwriting blossomed when my guitar teacher showed me how he writes and records songs. Unfortunately, I was working full time and did not have the time to devote to a songwriting career. I wonder how much easier the process would have been for me if I learned that process at a much earlier age. Today with the advent of computer software programs it makes the process so much easier than it was for me.

We can write a song together in 30-minutes

I created 30-minute songwriting workshops with the idea of removing the barriers that so many of us have to writing songs. Most people think it’s too hard or that they don’t have the talent or ability. But in my workshops I break the entire process down step by step and show kids how easy it can be to write a song.

That being said, songwriting workshops are the most rewarding yet most challenging programs I offer. Consider this… In one 30 minute session we choose a song title, write original song lyrics, create an appropriate guitar chord progression and drumbeat, and then we perform and record the song.

I have expanded the songwriting workshop experience into the “Write a Cool School song” assembly program where together we create a school song. Please watch this video to see a demonstration of the “Write a Cool School song” assembly program and workshops.

Also, please visit my web site http://www.magicalsongwriter.com/songwriting.html for more information.

Thanks and please post comments. Jeff

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The most important minute of my day

Middle / High School Programs, Prek-Grade 6 Programs No Responses »

Feb 022011

OK… you have one minute. Ready, Set, Go!

Each day I am faced with the monumental challenge of having a life changing impact on a group of several hundred elementary, middle or high school students… in 50 minutes. Truthfully, I know that I have less than one minute to capture and engage the audience’s attention or else the next 49 minutes will be an eternity of wandering eyeballs, private conversations, yawns and lack of attention.

The obvious way to get these challenging groups on your side is to engage them by making the experience fun and entertaining. This is relatively easy to accomplish, however when dealing with school audiences, there is a greater challenge. The fun and entertainment must be combined with important, life changing, positive messages in such a way that the students are engaged and the administration is satisfied that the students are receiving a benefit beyond pure entertainment. Truthfully, I shudder at the thought of presenting a program to a group of students without having the assistance of some form of entertainment to include in my presentation. However, I must know my audience and choose my material very carefully.

The “Amazing Magic Talking Drawing Board” is an example of an opening effect that I use for my younger audiences which captures their attention and sets the tone for the rest of the program. Check it out.

It is for this reason that many motivational performers remain pigeonholed into one specific age group as I was when I first started out. My programs were suitable for Pre-K-grade 3 audiences but the first time I tried performing the same program for a group of grade 4-6 students, wandering eyeballs and private conversations made it obvious to me that changes were needed. The same issues arose when I transitioned to middle and high school students. Now I can proudly say that I have age appropriate, engaging school assembly programs for every group of students from grade K-12.

Thanks for reading and please leave comments.

Jeff Blum

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Read this before booking a school assembly program

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Aug 172010

Can I Ask You a Question?

Interestingly, one of the most important things I do as a motivational performer happens on the very first interaction I have with a prospective client. I ask a simple yet powerful question that goes something like this… “which assembly programs have you had in the past that have worked out the best for you?” I ask this question for three reasons. First, it tells me if this is my client’s first time booking a program or if they have done it before. Either way I am now better prepared to offer my advice. It also gives me great insight into what my client is looking for so that I can better communicate how and if my programs can fill their specific needs. Second, I learn more about what is available in my market and what other performers are doing that works. As a result, I may get an idea that may help to improve the effectiveness of my programs by making slight modifications.

Horror Stories!!!

But the main reason I ask the question is because it leads into the natural follow up question “Which assembly programs have you had in the past that didn’t work out quite so well for you?” The response I typically get at this point is a smile followed by a pause followed by a horror story that goes something like this… “Oh my God! it was awful! The kids just sat there staring into space! He went on and on and on and he had no idea they weren’t even paying attention. The principal had to stop the assembly to quiet the kids down three times. It was so embarrassing! I have also heard accounts of performers using inappropriate language, questionable actions and subject matter that quite frankly were shocking to me.

Who’s Responsible for Booking This Guy?

When booking an assembly program, your reputation and hard earned money is on the line. The last thing you need is to get approached by angry staff members and students asking “who’s responsible for booking this guy?” You need to be sure that the person you hire will deliver what he or she promises. In the past, this required either relying on the performer’s biased description, calling and hopefully speaking to a past client’s reference, travelling across the state to preview the performer’s program, or having to rely on written testimonials that could be taken out of context or possibly even fabricated altogether. But there a much better and much easier way…

Get it on Video

Below is a video of my past performances. You can not only see the performance but you can also see how I interact with the audience and you can also see their response. I also have numerous unsolicited video testimonials from past satisfied clients who were nice enough to share their experience on video. This way you can see exactly what you are getting before you book the program.

I Guarantee that your assembly program will be a success

In addition, I offer a guarantee of satisfaction that simply states:

“If you are HONESTLY not satisfied with my performance for any reason I will not accept your payment.”

Thanks for reading and please leave comments. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jeff Blum

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Using "Vinnie the Bird" to teach important lessons to kids.

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Jul 142010

Kids just “wanna have fun”

If you are an adult and have ever tried to teach an important lesson to a child you may be disappointed when you learn that what may be crucially important to you may not seem the least bit important to them. One of the reasons for this is that kids have not yet crossed the threshold of adulthood and thus they lack the responsibility needed to care about the same things that you do.

To understand kids and get messages through to them you must look at the world through their eyes, and at the top of their list is a three letter word called “FUN”. Over the years, I have incorporated three types of fun into my themed school assembly programs: magic, music and “pseudo” ventriloquism using “Vinnie the Bird”.

Together we can stamp out bullying

I have been performing an anti-bullying routine involving Vinnie the Bird which has been the cornerstone of my “Be a Peacemaker” school assembly program for many years. Please watch a performance of this routine and see how I incorporate fun and comedy into the routine in such a way to engage and interest the kids. Once they are emotionally involved and engaged in the story, together we learn what to do to help Vinnie deal with the horrors of being bullied and made fun of.

Thanks to Vinnie the ”Be a Peacemaker” school assembly program is one of my most popular programs and I would love to come to your school to perform it for your students.

Jeff

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Performing for "Special" Kids

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Jul 142010

How did you pluck my signed card from inside that balloon?

How did all those coins come out of your armpit!

Oradell Challenger Baseball League

Is that your signed card?

This rope looks normal to me

Deal 20 cards into my hand

Flip the card you're thinking of over in the deck

Several times throughout the year I have the rare opportunity to perform for special needs kids, and over the fast few weeks I performed two very special shows. One was for the Oradell Challenger Little League baseball group and the other was at Montgomery Academy which is a state funded special needs school.

Never underestimate the abilities of these wonderful special kids!

I’ll never forget about ten years ago how terrified I felt the first time I looked out into an audience filled with kids confined to wheelchairs and leg braces or dealing with conditions ranging from various degrees of mental retardation to autism to Cerebral Palsy. Although the director of the facility assured me that the kids had the capacity to understand me and follow along, I still proceeded with caution.

As usual, in these types of performances, an important lesson was taught to me… never underestimate the abilities of these wonderful special kids! Not only do they follow along and participate and laugh and react appropriately at all the right places, they react in such a unique way that leaves me with a indescribable feeling.

Their reactions are priceless and their expressions of gratitude and appreciation following the performance are just as special as they are and rarely seen with typical audiences.

It’s times like these that I appreciate how fortunate I am that I was blessed with three healthy thriving kids. I also appreciate how fortunate I am to perform for kids like these and to add a little bit of happiness to their lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7EqpBAi_gY

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Write a Cool School Song

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Jul 032010

Realizing the need

For ten plus years, 30-minute interactive songwriting workshops have been a staple of my performing repertoire which are usually done in addition to my 50-minute “Magical Songwriter” performances. I’ll never forget the day about seven years ago when a student in one of the workshops suggested that we write a song about the school. After learning from many school officials that their school songs were ancient, non existent, or simply song parodies of old standard tunes I realized that there was a need to update or create newer “cooler” school songs. The rest as they say is “History”.

Since then, I have performed more than 100 “Write a Cool School Song” assembly programs and without a doubt, they are the most creative, original and unique school assembly programs that I offer.

It’s a collaborative effort

This one-of-a-kind all-day program is a collaborative effort with myself and the students and begins with three 30 minute morning songwriting workshops. Each group works with me to create a different part of the song and by lunchtime we have a complete, original, school song complete with two verses and a chorus of customized, personalized lyrics backed up with original guitar music and a drum pattern.

In the afternoon, the entire school assembles for a 40-minute high energy assembly program unveiling the school song as it is performed for the very first time. Several recordings of the songs are created including participation from dozens of students. The assembly ends with a bang as the teachers assemble in front of the entire school to sing their rendition of the school song.

Satisfaction, pride, and a sense of ownership

The students not only gain the satisfaction and pride that goes along with creating a school song, they gain the once-in-a-lifetime experience of participating in the creation of a song. It took me many years of trial and error to learn the craft of songwriting and the songwriting process until I finally developed a system that worked for me. If only I had been exposed to a songwriter at an earlier age who showed me how to do it, it would have been much easier for me.

Please watch this video highlighting an actual ”Write a Cool School Song” workshop and assembly. Ask yourself if your school song is in need of some revamping. If so, give me a call.

Jeff Blum

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Video Testimonials

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Jun 232010

What did you really think of the Program?

As a performer, in the end the only thing that really matters is whether or not the audience liked your performance. More specifically, was the person who hired you completely satisfied that you delivered a top notch high quality performance as was promised when you were first contacted. Most importantly, was your performance of a quality worthy of that person referring you to other potential clients?

That being said, it is nearly impossible to convince the prospective client of the quality of your performance without sounding biased or being labeled a braggart.

How can I be sure you didn’t write that yourself?

In the past, I have relied on handwritten testimonial letters from satisfied clients to provide to prospective clients. I have also accumulated a list of satisfied clients who have agreed to speak to prospective clients on my behalf. But with the advent of pocket sized “Flip” video cameras and our friend Youtube, the video testimonial has emerged as the gold standard for quality testimonials.

And just like that, gone is the question “Is this a real testimonial or did he just add words or just write it himself?” Gone are the attempts at tracking down people who promised with full intention to speak on your behalf but only half remember your performance 8 months later. Gone is the two week time gap between initial contact and booking the program that used to be needed to check out references.

Technology rocks!

So please check out some of the video testimonials that people were nice enough to make for me.

Jeff

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The Happy Smiling Faces

Prek-Grade 6 Programs No Responses »

Jun 082010

I saw this quotation on a poster in my doctor’s office the other day.

“In one hundred years, it will not matter what house I lived in, what car I drove, or even what my clothes looked like. What will matter is that I made a difference in the life of a child.”

Sometimes I try to explain and understand why I do what I do. What is it that keeps me motivated? What do I think about and remember most about the performance on my way home? The answer is below… the smiling faces of the kids from a recent performance. This is proof positive that I am achieving what I set out to achieve, to make a difference in the life of a child. Once I have their attention, they don’t even realize that they’re learning positive messages.

Deep down I know that even though I may never see the direct results of the children’s lives I have affected, I know I am making a difference in their lives every day.

Jeff