Eric Pazdziora
@ericpazdziora.bsky.social
Composer, educator, pianist, &c. This is what I'm doing with my doctorate in music. My cats are unimpressed.
www.ericpazdziora.com
Likes: Vintage vinyl records, fountain pens, cats, books
Dislikes: fascism
www.ericpazdziora.com
Likes: Vintage vinyl records, fountain pens, cats, books
Dislikes: fascism
Have to give a #BannedBooksWeek shoutout to Jane Yolen, whose Holocaust novel BRIAR ROSE was banned in several places, even publicly burned by a Westboro-type group, because one of the characters is (gasp) a gay man. Yeah.
www.janeyolen.com/briar-rose/
www.janeyolen.com/briar-rose/
October 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Have to give a #BannedBooksWeek shoutout to Jane Yolen, whose Holocaust novel BRIAR ROSE was banned in several places, even publicly burned by a Westboro-type group, because one of the characters is (gasp) a gay man. Yeah.
www.janeyolen.com/briar-rose/
www.janeyolen.com/briar-rose/
"Opera doesn't make money. Opera’s what you spend money *on*.”
“But . . what do you get out of it?”
“You get opera. You put money in, you see, and opera comes out,” said Salzella wearily.
--Terry Pratchett, 'Maskerade'
“But . . what do you get out of it?”
“You get opera. You put money in, you see, and opera comes out,” said Salzella wearily.
--Terry Pratchett, 'Maskerade'
I used to feel like half my time as an orchestra musician was spent patiently explaining, over and over, that no, orchestras have never in history paid for themselves through ticket sales; no, cutting concerts or auxiliary trumpets won't balance the books; YOU JUST HAVE TO RAISE THE MONEY.
October 6, 2026 at 12:09 AM
"Opera doesn't make money. Opera’s what you spend money *on*.”
“But . . what do you get out of it?”
“You get opera. You put money in, you see, and opera comes out,” said Salzella wearily.
--Terry Pratchett, 'Maskerade'
“But . . what do you get out of it?”
“You get opera. You put money in, you see, and opera comes out,” said Salzella wearily.
--Terry Pratchett, 'Maskerade'
It‘s far too early for Christmas music of course, but it is Bandcamp Friday, so you could always buy it now and listen to it later!
www.ericpazdziora.com/portfolio/ch...
www.ericpazdziora.com/portfolio/ch...
Christmas Piano Improvisation Albums – Eric Paździora
One evening each year at Christmas, I sit down at the piano at my church with no idea what I am going to play until the congregation and I have heard it together. Amidst the busyness of the season, th...
www.ericpazdziora.com
October 3, 2026 at 12:26 AM
It‘s far too early for Christmas music of course, but it is Bandcamp Friday, so you could always buy it now and listen to it later!
www.ericpazdziora.com/portfolio/ch...
www.ericpazdziora.com/portfolio/ch...
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
The late (alas) great Jane Yolen gave us about 450 books to choose from, including multiple YA fantasy series
Back in the 90s Westboro folks had a book burning of one of her titles because it included LGBT representation
Back in the 90s Westboro folks had a book burning of one of her titles because it included LGBT representation
September 6, 2026 at 1:34 PM
The late (alas) great Jane Yolen gave us about 450 books to choose from, including multiple YA fantasy series
Back in the 90s Westboro folks had a book burning of one of her titles because it included LGBT representation
Back in the 90s Westboro folks had a book burning of one of her titles because it included LGBT representation
Friday morning, I was gardening when I checked my phone. A request had gone out for help.
For 25+ hours, ICE had been laying siege to a quiet neighborhood in Frederick, MD. Community members were afraid, some didn’t want to leave their homes.
ICE vehicles seemed to be lurking on every corner.
For 25+ hours, ICE had been laying siege to a quiet neighborhood in Frederick, MD. Community members were afraid, some didn’t want to leave their homes.
ICE vehicles seemed to be lurking on every corner.
September 6, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
I'm glad to see this fine appreciation of #JaneYolen in The NY Times. We can keep her work and memory alive by reading, re-reading, recommending and passing on copies of her gorgeous novels, stories, picture books & poems, and her nonfiction on folklore, fairy tale, and the art of crafting stores.
A lovely tribute to Jane Yolen from the The New York Times . . .
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/b...
#JaneYolen
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/b...
#JaneYolen
Jane Yolen, Whose Books for Children Drew on Everyday Life, Dies at 87
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2026 at 8:28 AM
I'm glad to see this fine appreciation of #JaneYolen in The NY Times. We can keep her work and memory alive by reading, re-reading, recommending and passing on copies of her gorgeous novels, stories, picture books & poems, and her nonfiction on folklore, fairy tale, and the art of crafting stores.
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
"Stories," he'd said, his voice low and almost husky, "we are made up of stories. And even the ones that seem the most like lies can be our deepest hidden truths."
- Jane Yolen (from Briar Rose)
- Jane Yolen (from Briar Rose)
June 18, 2026 at 8:17 AM
"Stories," he'd said, his voice low and almost husky, "we are made up of stories. And even the ones that seem the most like lies can be our deepest hidden truths."
- Jane Yolen (from Briar Rose)
- Jane Yolen (from Briar Rose)
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
Beautiful Jane—how sad I am to say farewell, but how lucky I am to have called you friend and mentor. Jane Yolen left us with 450 published books, but perhaps her greatest legacy will be the love and support she shared with so many of us writers and illustrators in the children’s book community.
June 13, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Beautiful Jane—how sad I am to say farewell, but how lucky I am to have called you friend and mentor. Jane Yolen left us with 450 published books, but perhaps her greatest legacy will be the love and support she shared with so many of us writers and illustrators in the children’s book community.
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
"I believe in story. It helps us make sense of the world in all its messiness, glories, mismatches, and marvels."
- Jane Yolen, 1939-2026
- Jane Yolen, 1939-2026
June 11, 2026 at 7:29 PM
"I believe in story. It helps us make sense of the world in all its messiness, glories, mismatches, and marvels."
- Jane Yolen, 1939-2026
- Jane Yolen, 1939-2026
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
"Get up from your desk and wander outside occasionally. To be a good writer one needs to be a good observer, and there isn't a lot to be observed at desk level." - Jane Yolen
Lottie and I wish you a good weekend. I'll be back in the studio, and back online, on Monday.
Lottie and I wish you a good weekend. I'll be back in the studio, and back online, on Monday.
June 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM
"Get up from your desk and wander outside occasionally. To be a good writer one needs to be a good observer, and there isn't a lot to be observed at desk level." - Jane Yolen
Lottie and I wish you a good weekend. I'll be back in the studio, and back online, on Monday.
Lottie and I wish you a good weekend. I'll be back in the studio, and back online, on Monday.
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
#FoolHatOff: Believe it or not I was lucky enough to get to get to know Jane Yolen in real life. As you would guess from reading any of her books—450 BOOKS(!)— she was a delight, wonderfully kind and incredibly brilliant.
I can’t find any words right now.
A problem she never, ever had.
I can’t find any words right now.
A problem she never, ever had.
June 12, 2026 at 3:42 AM
#FoolHatOff: Believe it or not I was lucky enough to get to get to know Jane Yolen in real life. As you would guess from reading any of her books—450 BOOKS(!)— she was a delight, wonderfully kind and incredibly brilliant.
I can’t find any words right now.
A problem she never, ever had.
I can’t find any words right now.
A problem she never, ever had.
I was so lucky to get to know Jane Yolen. One of the most brilliant, kind, and generous people you could ever meet. Heartbroken.
June 12, 2026 at 3:28 AM
I was so lucky to get to know Jane Yolen. One of the most brilliant, kind, and generous people you could ever meet. Heartbroken.
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the children’s book world, is saddened by the news that author, mentor and friend, Jane Yolen, has died. She was 87 and her loss cannot be measured.
Please find the full obituary here: www.scbwi.org/remembering-...
Please find the full obituary here: www.scbwi.org/remembering-...
June 11, 2026 at 11:17 PM
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the children’s book world, is saddened by the news that author, mentor and friend, Jane Yolen, has died. She was 87 and her loss cannot be measured.
Please find the full obituary here: www.scbwi.org/remembering-...
Please find the full obituary here: www.scbwi.org/remembering-...
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
Author Jane Yolen (b.1939) died on June 11. She wrote books and novels for all ages, including Briar Rose, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, and The Devil’s Arithmetic. Yolen won 2 Nebulas, a World Fantasy and was named Grand Master by SFPA, SFWA and World Fantasy. She served as SFWA President.
June 11, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Author Jane Yolen (b.1939) died on June 11. She wrote books and novels for all ages, including Briar Rose, How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?, and The Devil’s Arithmetic. Yolen won 2 Nebulas, a World Fantasy and was named Grand Master by SFPA, SFWA and World Fantasy. She served as SFWA President.
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
Jane Yolen (1939–2026) locusmag.com/2026/06...
June 11, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Jane Yolen (1939–2026) locusmag.com/2026/06...
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
And here's the Boss showing us how it's done: take whatever you're feeling and make it into Art.
It's cathartic for you, it's a morale boost for whoever else is feeling the same way, and it's inspiring for the rest of us...
Your turn next. What will you make?
It's cathartic for you, it's a morale boost for whoever else is feeling the same way, and it's inspiring for the rest of us...
Your turn next. What will you make?
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 7:27 PM
And here's the Boss showing us how it's done: take whatever you're feeling and make it into Art.
It's cathartic for you, it's a morale boost for whoever else is feeling the same way, and it's inspiring for the rest of us...
Your turn next. What will you make?
It's cathartic for you, it's a morale boost for whoever else is feeling the same way, and it's inspiring for the rest of us...
Your turn next. What will you make?
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
Philip Glass withdrew his Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” from the Kennedy Center, telling the center’s board and the National Symphony Orchestra that the work is a “portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”
Philip Glass Pulls Symphony From Kennedy Center - Washingtonian
The composer says the center's values "are in direct conflict with the message" of the work, which is based on an Abraham Lincoln speech.
washingtonian.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Philip Glass withdrew his Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” from the Kennedy Center, telling the center’s board and the National Symphony Orchestra that the work is a “portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”
Penny says stay warm out there!
January 25, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Penny says stay warm out there!
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
"They say they're coming to save us from some evil? They're talking about our neighbors who take care of us ... Alex was murdered while he was helping. Mr Rogers said look for the helpers, & right now the helpers have a target on our forehead ... Mr Rogers would be here right now too, so I'm here."
January 24, 2026 at 9:14 PM
"They say they're coming to save us from some evil? They're talking about our neighbors who take care of us ... Alex was murdered while he was helping. Mr Rogers said look for the helpers, & right now the helpers have a target on our forehead ... Mr Rogers would be here right now too, so I'm here."
Reposted by Eric Pazdziora
the virgin "mister rogers would never get political" vs the chad "mister rogers would be here right now"
January 24, 2026 at 9:37 PM
the virgin "mister rogers would never get political" vs the chad "mister rogers would be here right now"
My gravy doesn’t know it’s rude to get political over dinner
—A True Story
—A True Story
January 6, 2026 at 1:17 AM
My gravy doesn’t know it’s rude to get political over dinner
—A True Story
—A True Story