Dear
Music Lover and Community Member
Thank you for taking a moment to read this. If you have landed
on this page, you might be looking for a different type of
hands-on, experiential music program to bring in to your community.
I hope you'll allow me to share with
you my love of music. The material here outlines how I share
that love by bringing music into classrooms and community spaces of all kinds.
I have outlined a typical day in
a classroom. I tend to focus on the curriculum of the day,
or if there is a theme in the school, whatever the students can
connect with. For example, one school where I recently completed
a 3-day residency, I focused on character traits that the elementary
schools were modeling and highlighting, one each month. So we
had song on honesty and one on trust and so on. At a recent middle
school, the students composed a song about their local, small-town,
newspaper photographer. At a high school, the song composed was
about the community itself and the memories that the students
had growing up there.
The most fun for me is that I never know where the students imaginations
will take us! We explore people, places and things. We talk about
concepts and relationships. There are times when we get off on
a tangent, but I am able to bring them back to the main theme
and keep them focused over the hour we have together.
This program works with students of all ages. Whether you have
a 10 year old or a 90 year old, it is always a fun process. At
the end of the day, everyone is singing the same tune and asking
for the words, just to make sure.
I think one of the highlights is the concert at the end, where
all classes get to share their song. I bring each class up on
stage with me, and we perform that unique piece, together. For
everyone involved, I get nothing but positive feedback. The students
love being on stage and by that point, they have a high comfort
level with me, so I am never quite sure what will happen. This
past winter I had a one particular 4th grader who wanted to end
the number with his Elvis impersonation. So he did! "Thank
you. Thank you very much." It's just fun and everyone loves
it.
I do consider myself an educator at this point in my career,
as well as a professional musician. I am able to educate people
on how songs are structured, how to stick to a theme, and how
to tell a story. That is on top of the chords, rhymes and rhythms.
Even with concerts given for "older students", perhaps
in a community center or nursing home, I am still able to educate
a bit in remembering why music and singing is fun, and what it
helps us do; stay active! That's healthy for everyone!
Though I follow a standard, I am very flexible on how the program
is laid out. I can do an artist in residence program for any
time period between one and four days. We can "program in" community
activities or concerts outside the school setting as well. All
you have to do is tell me what your goal is, and we will work
it out together. I recently completed a 3 day residency which
was the result of a young man's goal as it related to the culmination
of his Eagle Scout Project. So you see, it is about what you
want and what you communicate to me. I welcome the chance to
share a bit and learn about your community, and hopefully educate
a few folks along the way.
If you are looking for a glitzy show with fancy
lights, I am not your guy. If you are looking for someone
down to earth that speaks directly with the people around me,
you will find few as grounded as I am. As I said before, I welcome
the chance to share what I have learned, in your community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
James
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