To see how the STARTiN program began, CLICK HERE!

Watch some highlights of the DVD here - click the images below to watch the videos! (You'll need Quicktime 6 to watch these movies, so click here if you have trouble seeing or hearing the videos.)

See what the kids are saying about our latest presentations!

Pilot Description
The pilot program introduces fundamentals...creativity, passion, and inspiration. The analogy is made regarding how cooking food, composing music and developing ideas are related. This relationship leads to a "recipe" for idea making...Knowledge, Skill and Mindset. Other related topics include: "What is an idea?", "The power of simple ideas", "Turning points", "Think big...start small", "Idea places", "Ideas grow ideas" and "Mistakes are ideas in disguise." The drum duo interacts with a gallery of kids (grades 4-6), Emeril, Doc, and the START band performing original music featuring 3 vocalists with the kids joining in.

Evaluation
Bob explains, "Before finalizing the project we did a rough edit and sent 45 test DVDs to educators for their evaluation. We made the procedure as easy as possible. The package included a questionnaire and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Teachers are in the thick of it each and every day so we listen closely to their feedback. It's invaluable! We then edited the video based on their comments. The format is a two-part program (25 minutes each) and a 7-minute "highlights" segment to quickly review the entire program".

Future 2004-5
To begin, the pilot will be tested in public schools in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. Billy and Bob will conduct live performances at host schools in 2004-5 in an effort to gather research and test new teaching concepts they have recently created. Billy explains, "Bob and I are on the phone every day discussing ideas for techniques that teach kids in an entertaining way. In fact, we have created 5 new interactive "Idea Games" that we can't wait to try out!" You can see a preview of one of them, the I.D.E.A. Game by clicking here.

Subsequent DVDs will focus on what they call, "a curriculum for idea making". Bob explains, "We believe that if a child experiences the excitement and fulfillment in getting an idea and making it happen...just once, that child will think creatively forever. Additionally that child will become a role model for others to follow. It is crucial that a process be presented in a fun way that will guide students through the 3 phases of idea making...and that is our mission". Billy continues, "We will conduct 20-30 performances and we will film 6. The live camera shoots will then turn into the second volume for the DVD series on "Getting Ideas". Bob comments, "Our process in creating the START program is a perfect of example of how the 3 phases of idea making work. We are living the dream, so let's teach by example."

Join In/Get Your DVD
If you are an educator in a public, private, or parochial school and wish to preview the START Cookin' DVD, please click here. We will be happy to send you a copy and welcome you to our team.

Goodbye
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Emeril Lagasse, Doc Gibbs and the Food Network for believing in START. Also a special thanks to our media partners, Penfield Productions, who have contributed over and over again to make this program happen.

Big thanks;
To our grantors, NAMM, The D'Addario Foundation for the Arts, Warner Bros. Music Publishing, The Zildjian Cymbal Company, Drum Workshop Drums, The Shure Corp, and Kaman Music Corp. We couldn't have done it without you.

To our sponsors, Regal Tip and Vic Firth Drum Sticks, Paiste Cymbals, Noble and Cooley Drum Co. Thanks!

To the educators who took time out of they're very busy schedules and responded to our evaluation questionnaire.

To the kids and their wonderful music instructor, Jeanne Marker...you guys are way cool!

To the members of the START band, Karin, Steve...slammin' and a special thanks to Tom Majesky for giving 100% to everything you do.

To Don Gunn Mastering for his skill and objectivity. Thanks for the life lines.

To Computer Resources Wethersfield, CT. The best little Apple store in the world!