| 1.
What did your project set out to do? What outcomes did you identify for your
project? |
We set out to introduce our students to the joys of music, create an on-going music mentoring program among our students and school community, offer a percussion-based band experience for our Jr. High students, and to host an all-school performance. All of our students ( 140) had an opportunity to hear artist-in-residence, Ken Harris, play different styles of music on piano, harmonica, and accordion. They also learned about basic music theory, song-writing, and instrument-making. Then they put it all together for a public presentation including a musical performance. Although we didn’t have as much time to create the mentoring program while Ken was with us, our students are very interested in working on this throughout the year. The presentation itself was fantastic. All of our classes participated. Some of the students shared instruments they had made in art class, some shared songs they had written, and the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade class (24 students) played as a band using percussion instruments made from recycled containers, a trap drum set, keyboards, and guitar. Our Sixth/Seventh/Eighth grade class was the target group for Ken’s intensive. They worked together for several hours per session to write a school song, practice rhythm beats, and explore the dynamics of collaboration and playing in a musical ensemble. The students who were not interested in performance joined the production team and worked behind the scenes. Since the performance, several of the students have joined an after-school band class to continue working with Ken and other musicians. |
| 2. What
did the project accomplish? Who was served and how did they benefit?
|
Aside from our students having a blast playing with Ken (whose enthusiasm for music is infectious) we learned that music can be made easily with little or no cost. The students witnessed their own lyrics come alive and played rhythm patterns on buckets, barrels, and sticks. The residency provided an opportunity for communication with the community as we requested donated instruments and future music teacher volunteers. We welcomed all families to participate and brought them together for the public presentation. It opened up dialogues within the classrooms about the nature of music as a form of creative expression. This project, due to its emphasis on exploration rather than production, was not typical of traditional school music performances. Although the musical performances went very well, including solos by talented students who incorporated instruments they’ve already been playing, the event highlighted all the various aspects of what the students had learned both with Ken and with their classroom teachers. It focused on experimentation and the process of the work. |
| 3. How
do you know that your project accomplished these things? What evaluation
methods did you use?
|
The students themselves provided great insight. Ken, the Arts Integration Coordinator, and the Jr. High class teacher held an evaluation with the oldest students. They described their concerns and successes very openly. We also exchanged emails with teachers regarding how the program went for them and their students. We received emails from parents and community members who were impressed with the
material we managed to cover in a short amount of time (five weeks, once or twice a week) and they enjoyed the “roughness” of the performance, having been invited to witness a work in progress rather than a polished show. |
4. How
will you share the results of your program with others?
(These might be other school personnel, parents, press/media, PTO/PTA,
local or state policy makers, etc.) |
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We have discussed the program at Community Council and Staff Meetings. We have also included our older students in discussions of how we might enhance a similar program and how we can carry on what we’ve started. We also set up a photo display of some of the behind the scenes work such as drum-making classes and song practice. Our Jr. High students have the opportunity to create a school band that will practice after school once a week. Ken has offered to teach this class and is open to bringing in other teachers in the future. We’re also hoping to work on the mentoring idea, providing opportunities for students who want to play instruments to team up with other students and parents or community members who are willing to teach. As these programs grow, we hope to perform for the public again and continue to reach into the community for guest musicians and teachers. We also hope to eventually provide a schedule in which students can team together in smaller interest groups to learn from and teach each other.
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Please
attach photographs (please limit to 400 pixels wide) or other documentation
that helps others to understand your project. Label the documentation with text
that explains what it is and how it shows the project’s accomplishments.
(nothing to display) |
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