Local Musician, teacher honored by national parenting group - January 23, 2009
Half Moon Songs’
Local musician, teacher honored by national parenting group
By ROSS BOISSONEAU
Contributing Writer
Frankfort resident Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack is shown with her daughter Gwendolyn, the inspiration behind the recently honored CD, “Half Moon Songs for Sleepybeings.”
FRANKFORT
Those who can, do. Those who really can, teach and do.
Perhaps that’s the way we should remember that saying, at least in the case of teacher and musician Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack. The Frankfort resident teaches at Onekama Consolidated Schools, and her new CD, “Half Moon Songs for Sleepybeings,” was named an Honors Award Winner in the 2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA).
“The idea was conceived after I gave birth to my daughter Gwendolyn,” said Eichberger-Kudlack. “The first half starts off with playful and happy songs, based around folk music, and it gradually winds down and relaxes, ending with a Bach piano piece.”
While the genesis of the album might only go back to the birth of her daughter, Eichberger-Kudlack has been involved with music for many years. The Traverse City native began taking piano lessons as a six-year-old, and was a music major at Western Michigan. She subsequently began her teaching career in Washington, D.C., before returning to northern Michigan.
Eichberger-Kudlack was aware of the musical prowess of some of the musicians on Half Moon Songs through personal connections, and as the idea for the project crystallized she sought out others.
“I knew Tim and Byron (banjoist Tim Joseph and guitarist Byron Joseph) from the northern Michigan folk scene, and they had collaborated with me and my students,” she said. “I just called Don Julin (mandolin) and asked him if he would join us. Jamey (bassist Jamey Barnard) was a close friend, though he’s best known as an artist.” In addition to his work on double bass, Barnard produced the artwork for the recording.
Eichberger-Kudlack herself plays piano and sings. She said the album was recorded in just a few sessions, with additional recording for the piano.
Since its release, the disc has been feted by the National Parenting Publications Awards, which each year gives awards to the best of children’s products in a variety of areas: books, music, diapers, clothing, and the like. NAPPA is a program sponsored by Dominion Parenting Media, which is responsible for publishing parenting magazines found in many major metropolitan areas, such as Boston Parents Paper, San Antonio Our Kids, and Colorado Parent.
“They have pretty stringent criteria,” said Eichberger-Kudlack.
In addition, it has received praise from Stefan Shepherd, who was recently featured on National Public Radio's “All Things Considered,” as the authority on hip, new children's music. According to Shepherd, “The musicianship here is first-rate, with the Half Moon musicians hitting just the right balance of technical expertise and tenderness.”
The album is currently available at numerous local retailers, as well as through CDBABY.com, a Web site dedicated to independent musicians. “It’s at Up North Kids, Unity, Preggers and Horizon Books, among others,” Eichberger-Kudlack said.
She also points out that the disc is a gift that will keep on giving, as a portion of the proceeds benefit music education programs in northern rural Michigan.
For additional information, you can log onto Eichberger-Kudlack’s Web site at www.sleepybeings.com.
Last Updated: 1/5/2009 4:45:22 PM EST
Local musician, teacher honored by national parenting group
By ROSS BOISSONEAU
Contributing Writer
Frankfort resident Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack is shown with her daughter Gwendolyn, the inspiration behind the recently honored CD, “Half Moon Songs for Sleepybeings.”
FRANKFORT
Those who can, do. Those who really can, teach and do.
Perhaps that’s the way we should remember that saying, at least in the case of teacher and musician Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack. The Frankfort resident teaches at Onekama Consolidated Schools, and her new CD, “Half Moon Songs for Sleepybeings,” was named an Honors Award Winner in the 2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA).
“The idea was conceived after I gave birth to my daughter Gwendolyn,” said Eichberger-Kudlack. “The first half starts off with playful and happy songs, based around folk music, and it gradually winds down and relaxes, ending with a Bach piano piece.”
While the genesis of the album might only go back to the birth of her daughter, Eichberger-Kudlack has been involved with music for many years. The Traverse City native began taking piano lessons as a six-year-old, and was a music major at Western Michigan. She subsequently began her teaching career in Washington, D.C., before returning to northern Michigan.
Eichberger-Kudlack was aware of the musical prowess of some of the musicians on Half Moon Songs through personal connections, and as the idea for the project crystallized she sought out others.
“I knew Tim and Byron (banjoist Tim Joseph and guitarist Byron Joseph) from the northern Michigan folk scene, and they had collaborated with me and my students,” she said. “I just called Don Julin (mandolin) and asked him if he would join us. Jamey (bassist Jamey Barnard) was a close friend, though he’s best known as an artist.” In addition to his work on double bass, Barnard produced the artwork for the recording.
Eichberger-Kudlack herself plays piano and sings. She said the album was recorded in just a few sessions, with additional recording for the piano.
Since its release, the disc has been feted by the National Parenting Publications Awards, which each year gives awards to the best of children’s products in a variety of areas: books, music, diapers, clothing, and the like. NAPPA is a program sponsored by Dominion Parenting Media, which is responsible for publishing parenting magazines found in many major metropolitan areas, such as Boston Parents Paper, San Antonio Our Kids, and Colorado Parent.
“They have pretty stringent criteria,” said Eichberger-Kudlack.
In addition, it has received praise from Stefan Shepherd, who was recently featured on National Public Radio's “All Things Considered,” as the authority on hip, new children's music. According to Shepherd, “The musicianship here is first-rate, with the Half Moon musicians hitting just the right balance of technical expertise and tenderness.”
The album is currently available at numerous local retailers, as well as through CDBABY.com, a Web site dedicated to independent musicians. “It’s at Up North Kids, Unity, Preggers and Horizon Books, among others,” Eichberger-Kudlack said.
She also points out that the disc is a gift that will keep on giving, as a portion of the proceeds benefit music education programs in northern rural Michigan.
For additional information, you can log onto Eichberger-Kudlack’s Web site at www.sleepybeings.com.
Last Updated: 1/5/2009 4:45:22 PM EST