..."What does this blog title mean, Kev?"...

Well, my intention is to design a Blog that is an area primarily for shared thought on Education (especially of the experiential variety), Community development, and self-growth, as the subtitle says.

I would like to share where the name comes from...

First of all, one of my favorite piano etudes from Debussy's Children's Corner is a piece called Dr. Gradus Ad Parnassum (see the attached link to hear a few different versions of the piece if you like). So the Latin title comes from that influence. Literally translated, "Gradus ad Parnassum" can mean a few things. In this context, I interpret it to mean "A step to Parnassus," a prominent mountain peak north of Delphi in Central Greece. This area was supposedly sacred to the god Apollo and the muses.

A Parnsassus has also come to be noted as a few things:

1) A book increasing in gradual difficulty focusing on instruction for literature, poetry, music and other arts.

2) Any book of gradually increasing difficulty to teach other topics/disciplines.

As mentioned previously, Debussy's piece was, in itself, an etude.

So, I hope this webBlog is a place for myself and others to discuss thoughts and concepts of varying difficulty toward the progress of greater self-awareness or "conscientia," especially on the topics of education, community development, and wellness of the self.

This Blog is an online Etude in Experiential Education thoughts, concepts and philosophy. Welcome. Your comments and feedback are expected and appreciated...

Vivian Lee plays Debussy

Luca Madeus: profile shot of the keyboard

Nanae Mimura (one of the world's top marimbists) plays Debuussy

One final video of Debussy played on Marimba - a few mallet clicks on the keys, but hey, who's judging...


Enjoy,

Kshon