MSFQ Tips from Dr. Charles T. Menghini
Standing for "More to Start, Fewer to Quit," MSFQ is an open-source, monthly newsletter provided
Rich grew up on Chicago’s south side and attended Marist High School, where he was an active member and drum major of the school’s marching band. He attended Elmhurst College, receiving a degree in marketing and music-business. His early career included time at the Chicago Symphony and Ravinia Festival organizations, as well as classes at the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Rich’s career has been dedicated to music education. He has worked closely with educators, professionals, retail businesses and corporations. He has established key education partnerships and has served on the board of directors for several non-profit education organizations. For the past seven years, he has provided executive planning and marketing acumen for 21st century companies through Strategic Marketing Management, LLC.
Prior to opening his own firm, he served in key management roles at KHS America, Inc., the Conn-Selmer division of Steinway & Sons, Inc., and United Musical Instruments, all worldwide manufacturers and distributors. He served in the management of the SMART Foundation which provided programs and advocacy support for arts education. He has also authored several publications focused on the arts and education. Rich is also currently on the boards of the West Point School of Music (board chair) and the American School Band Directors Association Foundation.
Blog posts by Rich Breske
STEM and the pBuzz Lab
School leaders often look to STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education as a guide to providing courses of study that prepare students for success in 21st century careers. Providing such experiences in the elementary classroom can reinforce STEM learning at an early[...]
Elementary Mariachi for Brass in Laredo, Texas
Mariachi without trumpet is, well, not really Mariachi. That's our position anyway. But more and more elementary teachers are finding that pTrumpets provide the best option for teaching mariachi brass along with the guitar and other traditional instruments. Follow one[...]
pBuzz and Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
It was interesting to display the pBuzz and pBugle at the Midwest Clinic this year as band directors were curious about our exhibit of “Instruments for Foundational Learning.” While many had heard and read about pBuzz, many had still not actually seen one.
Growing Elementary Music Pathways
When the musicians and teachers at Warwick Music developed the series of Early Learning pInstruments, developing learning pathways for music were forefront in their minds. Early exposure to a playful instruments like the pBuzz and pBugle can help develop a child’s sensory and[...]
pCornet – It could be a better choice for your students
Who knows cornets better than the British?
Answering the call: Equity in Instrumental Music Education
The story is a common one: “We are a low income title school with major poverty. We are in the process of rebuilding the band program. I have tested 41 students for beginner band this year. “These kids want to play but many will not be able to because of money. We have some[...]
Creating access and equity for band – a special opportunity for a deserving student
Win a pTrumpet hyTech for your program.
Providing Equity in Music Instruction
Music classes can look very different depending on the resources and attitudes of the local school’s teachers, administration, neighborhood and culture. Unfortunately, attitudes and economics often frame each child’s music education experience starting in the early years. A[...]
Teaching with pBuzz checks all the boxes for teaching basic music skills
Have you heard of pBuzz? It’s the newest musical tool that your elementary students can play! Learning pBuzz checks off nearly every learning style - aural, visual, kinetic, tactile – and does it in a fun and social way.
