me arts ed

Jordan Acres 4th grade, Brunswick

Music teacher Cindy Brown

Music educator Cindy Brown invited me to the 4th grade music performance at Jordan Acres in Brunswick and I am glad I made the trip. I was exhausted from a busy week on the road and it was a great way to end the week. With smiles on their faces and each having an important role the 4th graders had poise and confidence as they performed for family and staff.

Cindy had the young musicians prepared so well that she was hardly visible throughout the performance. The students combined singing, playing their recorders, and speaking.

Cindy adapted the script by Teresa Jennings from the Music K-8 magazine (Vol. 20, No. 3). The show opened with the song “Music Class” which set the tone for the 30 minute performance. “Hot Cross Buns”, “Merrily We Roll Along”, and “Gently Sleep” were the first three recorder pieces. The script contained the importance of music in our lives, how it impacts people, and why we have music class in school.

The tunes became more difficult as students had a chance to share their skills and knowledge. The performance closed with the students singing “Why Music?” by Teresa Jennings. Loud applause as students filed off the stage with smiles on their faces.

Cindy gave me a tour of the interesting “open school”, I met the principal Scott Snedden, and  visited with art teacher Sharon McCormack and saw the marvelous art work on display. I couldn’t help but smile as I drove back to my cubby in Augusta. The answer to the question “why do we teach music?” came through loud and clear!

Pepsi Refresh Project: Monthly Grant Opportunities

I am often asked about funding and grants. Here is an opportunity for up to $250,000 with an ongoing deadline.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is giving away $1.3 million every month through January 2011 to individuals and organizations that develop innovative programs that have a positive impact on their communities. Pepsi is accepting 1,000 applications each month from people, businesses, and nonprofits proposing fresh ideas that will have a positive impact around your community. Grants range from $5–$250,000. Visit the website for more details on how to submit your application by clicking here.

Music education in the news

“Houlton High School holds state jazz festival”. Article in today’s Bangor Daily News including the results from the jazz festival held on April 10th.

The Kennebec Journal has an article today “Cony musicians head to Florida”, the jazz ensemble and Madrigals will be performing at Disney World. Madrigals director Teresa Beaudoin, jazz ensemble director Mike Scarpone is accompanying the groups.

Bright eyes and eager faces

University of Southern Maine’s music educator Michele Kaschub invited me to her first year music education class. I found 17 attentive students who appeared interested in learning about the resources available to them.

It is difficult for me to remember back to my first year in my teacher training program. However I do remember parts of those early years fondly. In many ways teaching seemed so simple to me. I liked kids, I liked Art, that is all I thought I needed. I had many questions and at the same time I didn’t know what to ask or how to ask them.

The night before I visited Michele’s class I spoke to my younger son, who is in his first year of college and asked him what he thought I should share with the students. His first words were: “tell them how hard you have to work to be good at teaching”. Hmmmmmm, I thought!

So, I did and I shared the resources that are available to them as they are to all educators, parents, school board members, administrators and anyone else who cares about arts education and wants to learn more.

I have heard from one student since the meeting with an idea that she is working on for the near future. I will share her ideas and other information about her in the near future here on the meartsed blog.

And for the entire class, I wish them the best of luck as they start (and for some continue) on their journey to becoming the best music educator there is in Maine! Anyone have some words of wisdom they’d like to share to a young person just starting their career in education. Please post your comments.

Speech on April 9, 2010

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke at the Arts Education Partnership National Forum on a well-rounded curriculum including the arts. You can read his remarks by clicking here.

Also speaking at the forum was the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman. His remarks can be accessed by clicking here.

Hardy girls and healthy women

Hardy Girls and Healthy Women organization sponsored an open mic forum at Jorgenson’s Café, Waterville recently. It was a wonderful venue in which girls and women express their thoughts through poetry.  RSU/MSAD 54 selected 11 students from Frank Chin’s art classes in showing their artwork and voice their haikus and other poems.  This open mic forum empowers their thoughts and creativity.

Congratulations to all who participated!

• Betsy Li
• Cheyenne Silvinski
• Delaney Curran
• Nicolette Curran
• Emily Shrader
• Dayna LaPorte
• Autumn Cates
• Alana Wacome
• Peyton Smith
• Rajel Hippler
• Shelby Watson
• Melissa Kelly