What's On Your iPod?: Art and Graphics teacher Mrs. Manning reveals her love of electronica and rock music.

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:57:00 GMT

By Brityn Thackham

Mrs. Manning loves to put on the radio and rock out in her art classes. (Photograph: Brityn Thackham)

Mrs. Manning finds it easy to connect with her students over more than value strips and pixels. “I find that a lot of the students are into electronica, so I have that in common with them,” she explained. As far as technology goes, Mrs. Manning is current with the times and shares a fully stocked sixty gigabyte iPod with her husband. In reference to other types of music, she will not be able to find common ground with her students. “I don't understand rap and I never will,” she elaborated. “It is not something that I am socially into.” Her taste in music greatly deviates from the rock persuasion, made obvious by her list of favorite bands. Mrs. Manning has attended many concerts by bands such as U2, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, Bjork, and Radiohead. The perfect tour would include Underworld, Gorillaz, Massive Attach, and New Order, but would also include some of the bands that she has already seen. Manning remembers that she became interested in music in her early teens. “I really got into music in junior high and started going to shows,” Manning recalled. Music has a different impact on everyone. For Mrs. Manning, U2 has been an inspiration because “they have strong [convictions] and inspiring music.” She also has a deep understanding of music on emotional terms. When asked what recommendation she would make to a person who is having an awful day, she recognized that she can’t dictate a person’s feelings. “I would recommend anything that makes them happy. Everyone has different tastes,” Manning advised. “What makes me happy might make someone else sad or angry.” Manning relies on her mood and the weather when she decides what type of music she wants to listen to. “Depending on the song and what kind of mood I am in, it can make me cheery or depressed,” she said. During the summer, she listens to a lot of electronica, whereas during the winter, she sticks with “Ocean Blue and mellow music.” Mrs. Manning has a connection with the music that she listens to, a quality which is hard to find. She will definitely continue to educate and inspire her students using her many creative talents and knowledge. _____________________________________________ As summer rapidly approaches, let us embrace music. It doesn’t matter if you like rock, hip hop, techno, country, or bluegrass. Let the music follow you on your adventures in the summer of ’08. So, come on, Patriots. Roll down the windows and put the radio on. Run down your iPod battery. Break in your headphones. Relax, enjoy the ride, and never forget to listen to the soundtrack to your life.

The Beckman Chronicle

What's On Your iPod?: Art and Graphics teacher Mrs. Manning reveals her love of electronica and rock music.