me arts ed

R.A.M.P.s work continues

Recently I heard from Louis Philippe with an update on R.A.M.P. Reindeer’s Alternative Music Program is a performing arts education outreach that outlines and analyzes the skills and experiences of modern-day performing artists, combines them with state and local learning objectives, and serves it all up in a creative hands-on curriculum by which students are not only empowered but are also able to earn academic credit.

They are in the middle of raising $145,000 in order to hire professional curriculum writers to be able to hire and train a crew of young people to create, film and produce the curriculum in a 60-DVD set.  This will also pay for the professional filming equipment as well as the computers and software to edit and finalize a pro product.

This past November, they launched the Off-Ramp competition to bring awareness to the goals, and to raise part of their funds needed for the program. The Off-Ramp is a six-month journey for high school bands who challenged with music-industry tasks (Songwriting, The Recording Studio Experience, Marketing, Live Event Production and Music Video Production….the very same five chapters of the planned curriculum).

You can follow all the progress of the competition by visiting the website of our sponsor, Current Publishing, at:
www.keepmecurrent.com/arts_and_entertainment/off-ramp

They have hired an experienced curriculum designer from Connecticut who has successfully designed curricula for various 21st Century programs, after-school programs, museums and businesses, who is ready to design the R.A.M.P. curriculum.

To that end, they have created a full-color brochure that describes R.A.M.P., outlines the curriculum and invites people to support the cause with a tax-deductible contribution (for which they offer various level of support). Here is the link to the R.A.M.P. page on our website.  Feel free to check out the brochure by clicking the “download here” link:
http://reindeergroup.org/RAMP.html

With the Off-Ramp FINALE right around the corner—Saturday, May 7—you’re invited to attend the show. It is being held at the beautiful Westbrook Performing Arts Center, starting at 7 PM. All nine bands will play 3 songs including their version of “I Scream At Walls” which they wrote for their songwriting task. An Awards Ceremony will follow to acknowledge the fine work of all the bands. And of course they will be promoting the curriculum goal.

Art exhibit

In today’s Bangor Daily News this article appeared: “County students’ artwork on display at Aroostook Centre Mall” written by Scott Mithchell Johnson. I wrote a post about the exhibit and am glad to see one in today’s Bangor Daily News. Please click here to read.

And in the Bar Harbor Times Soup written by Laurie Schreiber “Two locals nominated teacher of the year”. More news about Wanda Whitener and her colleague from MDI High School. Be sure and read the quote from Auburn Music teacher Mike Davis who had Wanda as a music teacher while growing up. Yes, he did!

Wanda with Commssioner of Education, Steve Bowen and State Board of Ed. chair Jim Banks

Learning online

This blog post found at the elearning coach blog contains an interesting list of 11 ways to learn. Makes me wonder if a students list is different these days. So, take a few minutes and go to this site  http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/11-ways-to-learn-in-2011/ and learn what the 11 ways to learn are in 2011. I can guarantee that you will find it…. intriguing!

USM singers on the road

In today’s Portland Press Herald an article written by Bob Keyes, that has a video embedded in it, about the USM chamber singers that take to the road to encourage students to attend USM and enroll in the music program. Read the article and listen to the video.

Kennebunk senior Michael Thyng, and USM senior Joshua Miller sing during workshop. Photo by Gregory Rec

Nominated for the 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year

We can all be proud that year after year there is at least one visual or performing arts teacher nominated for the recognition of Maine State Teacher of the Year (TOY). This year is no exception. Included in the nominees for the 2012 TOY is veteran music educator Wanda Whitener who teaches at Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor. I was honored to meet Wanda at a dinner on Wednesday where the nominees were introduced to each other. Wanda attended with her principal and it was a delight to speak with both of them.

In Wanda’s nomination she was described as someone who has been quietly and gently sculpting young lives into wonderful adults for the past 30 years.  She has formed lifelong relationships with many of her students; some of them are now adults with children of their own in her music program. With a third generation in kindergarten.

At the Hall of Flags ceremony at the State House on Wednesday Wanda’s exhibit was filled with what else: MUSIC! Students performing; singing and playing. All of the Tremont second graders play the violin with string and band and choral opportunities from there through grade 8.

It is said that character is defined not by how we love, but by how we are loved, then it can be said that Mrs. Whitener’s character and ability to touch lives as a teacher cannot be matched. Congratulations and good luck to Wanda in the process. She and the nine other nominees will learn tomorrow whether they move to the semi-finalists step of the process.

Here is the list of nominated teachers for the 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year:

• David Arenstam, Thornton Academy, Saco
• Tim Eisenhart, Westbrook High School
• Paige Fournier, Lyman Moore Middle School, Portland
• Stephanie Gautreau, Yarmouth Elementary School
• Rebecca Leamon, Mount Desert Island High School
• Alana Margeson, Caribou High School
• Jolene Randall, Tripp Middle School, Turner
• Meghan Schall, George B. Weatherbee School, Hampden
• Ingrid Stressenger, Pond Cove Elementary School, Cape Elizabeth
• Wanda Whitener, Tremont Consolidated School, Bass Harbor

The Maine Teacher of the Year Program is made possible through the long-time generous support of Hannaford Supermarkets and newly added Bangor Savings Bank.

Wanda with 2008 semi-finalist Mount Desert Island art teacher Charlie Johnson, Hall of Flags ceremony March 23rd

What’s newssssss?

This photo was in today’s edition of the Sun Journal. It is a student from Edward Little High School who is finishing up a piece of art that will go into the schools art show for 8th grade parents and their parents.

Mountain Valley High Schools student’s photograph chosen for statewide exposure is the title of the article that appears in today’s Sun Journal and written by Eileen A. Adams. Whitney Ruff’s photo was one of 20 that appear on the screen saver for the 2011-12 school year. You can read the entire article by clicking here.

2011 Performance & Events Season
July 1 – August 13

Yes, Spring is here and just around the corner is the beginning of the season for Bates Dance Festival. This just arrived in my inbox…

Join us for the 29th season of the Bates Dance Festival. Experience the power and invention of Camille A. Brown & Dancers by Matt Karas contemporary dance and music. Whatever your dance interest, our 2011 series featuring works by world-class choreographers and imaginative newcomers will entertain, intrigue and inspire you.

This season we showcase new works by established and emerging dance creators from at home and abroad, introducing our community to innovative dance making that reflects our global society.

From the eloquent storytelling of Camille A. Brown & Dancers, to the funky grooves of Nicholas Leichter Dance, to the exuberant physicality of David Dorfman Dance, and the arresting virtuosity of Zoe/Juniper, these artists bring joy, passion and brilliant dancing to our stage. This season of new works revisits American popular culture with Leichter’s reinterpretation of the Broadway sensation, The Wiz and Dorfman’s Prophets of Funk – Dance to the Music, a celebration of the 60’s. We also turn to the future with Zoe/Juniper’s dramatic multimedia piece, A Crack in Everything. These lively and engaging works are sure to challenge your imaginations and enliven your spirits.

In addition to main stage performances, the festival offers a selection of free and low-cost events including the annual Musician ‘s Concert and the Festival Finale, a showcase of student talent.

To deepen your performance experience please join us for Inside Dance: Understanding Contemporary Dance, a series of lectures and post-performance talks led by Boston dance critic, Debra Cash.

For full details visit our website at: Bates Dance Festival

Full moon and pussy willows

Pussy Willows

What more could one ask for on the first day of Spring? A snowstorm to remind us that even though the calendar says Spring is officially here that doesn’t mean we’ll have warm weather, flowers, and/or warm temperatures. Ahhhhh, nothing like a Spring snowstorm! I was in Hancock county yesterday as part of the Commissioner’s Listening Tour and the snow storm forced me to stay overnight. The best part about the weather is that I have absolutely no control over it.

On my walks during the last three days I’ve seen, smelled, and heard the signs of Spring.  A coyote crossed the road about 100 yards in front of us, two morning doves stood cooing, and robins sang in the trees overhead. I clipped a couple of pussy willow branches to bring home. The time change has taken some getting used to, as usual. But all is right with the world when only in Maine (depending where you live) a few inches of snow fell. It is so interesting to me with mud season upon us to see the gravel road change day to day. The markings left by tires in the mud on the soft road and wind blowing dryer air is slowly doing its part to lessen the blow to the roads. Perfect maple syrup making weather, temperatures dipping to below freezing at night and above during the day. And, a full moon that woke me up two nights this week and forced me out of bed earlier than planned. One of my favorite parts of this time of year is to step on the frozen puddles and listen to the crisp crunch under my shoes.

It is a time of wonder and my wonderings lead me to questions like:

• I wonder why there isn’t a more interesting name for frozen puddles?
• I wonder what speed the sap runs inside the maple trees?
• I wonder when the skunks will begin to move?
• I wonder how many bears will wake up today?

Full Moon

And I wonder how many students are asking questions that go unanswered because they aren’t encouraged to find the answers to their wonderings? Yesterday was a great opportunity for me to listen to students, educators, parents, and other community members communicate with Commissioner Bowen about education. They asked thoughtful questions, gave their opinions and suggestions on what is “going well” and about their “concerns” with the Maine Department of Education. This was the third of the regional forums that are taking place throughout the state. Last evening there were about 50 in attendance at Ellsworth High School. I suggest you attend one of the remaining forums in your community so you can listen to others and be heard by the Commissioner. Remember, he has only been on the job for two weeks and he wants to know what YOU think and believe that will help him as he moves forward to create a strategic plan for the Department of Education! I view this as an opportunity for all of us to learn from each other. For as many of you heard me say before, “none of us is as smart as all of us”. I appreciate that the Commissioner is traveling to hear what you have to say and hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity!

Commissioner Bowen touring with students at Sumner High School

Spring snowstorm

Follow-up to National Governor’s Association meeting in Washington, D.C.

Happy Spring!

“There are right ways and wrong ways to cut spending, and the most important guiding principle I can offer is to minimize the negative impact on students and seize this opportunity to direct your spending to the highest priorities.”

The Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan’s remarks, and guidance is online at  http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-education-provides-promising-practices-productivity-flexibility.  The arts education reference is included in the Guidance on Productivity document under the “First, Do No Harm” section. This information may be of help in supporting arts education programs in state education budgets, and before local school boards.

Laurie Downey and Gretchen Berg are in the midst of another Local Stories Project with 4th graders at the South Hiram Elementary School (SAD 55) called “The Fabric of Community: the Mill Town Years at Kezar Falls.”  As visiting artists, they are collaborating with 4th grade classroom teacher Terry Barnes, art teacher Cathy Adleman and the local Parsonsfield Porter Historical Society to research local history, and then work with students to create a permanent mural and performance piece based on themes from that research. In this case, there is a very specific focus  – the Robinson Mill, a local woolen mill that closed in 2004. This focus fits within a social studies unit on the industrial era, taught each year to the 4th grade students. In a series of interviews, local residents who worked in the mill have been sharing their firsthand experiences and memories; Rachel Ward, Chester Chapman, and others have described their work as spinners and weavers at the mill.  Students are also studying photographs and documents provided by the Parsonsfield Porter Historical Society, and there an upcoming field trip to Kezar Falls will enable the fourth graders to visit the mill site as well as other historically significant sites in the area. Students are working on a series of drawings based on the stories they hear and see. Then, during a residency with Gretchen and Laurie in early April, students will paint the mural and develop a performance piece based on these drawings and themes from their research.

There is great local interest building in this project. The woolen mill loomed large here for over 100 years, with morning, noon and “curfew” bells marking the time of day, and the constant sound of the humming, clattering machinery anywhere near the site on the Ossipee River. Hundreds of local residents found work  there.  The timing of the project is also good, as the town of Parsonsfield recently recieved federal funds to clean up the site, which is up for sale. Dan Flint, a selectman from Parsonsfield, even asked if we might be willing to have the students make a presentation of their work at one of their town hearings on the future of the mill! The big public unveiling and performance will be on Tuesday, April 12 at 6:30 pm at South Hiram. Stay tuned!

“The Fabric of Community” is one of an ongoing series of Local Stories projects in Maine elementary schools. This project was funded by a generous grant from the Maine Communities Foundation.
For see a short video on the Local Stories process, go to www.lauriedowney.net/schoolmurals/process.

Parsons Woolen Mill, 1880