Volunteering music in schools

Subject: Volunteering music in schools
From: Sean Belt
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 01:51 PM

The posting that Max has in the Thought for the Day - Aug 8, 00 thread about the lack of music education in the schools has got me thinking. The muisic programs in my neck of the woods have been severly cut or eliminated entirley. This, of course, is almost criminal, but what can one person do about it?

Maybe this.... For a while now, I've thought that I should go out to some of the grade schools in my city and offer to give short programs a couple of times a year just to expose the kids to music. Specifically traditional folk music. No charge, just for the joy of doing it. Maybe now it's time for me to get off my duff and do it.

The question is, how? I used to tour with a theatrical troupe that did cut-down versions of Shakespeare's plays for school kids. then we'd do the inevitable question and answer session with the kids, which I always enjoyed immensely. But I only acted in them. I didn't do the booking or deal with the school administrators.

I'm interested in hearing from those of you who have done such a thing. Advice? Encouragement? Ideas?

- Sean

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 02:15 PM

Hi, Sean - you may find this thread (click) interesting. I was on the school board of our parish school, so I've had no problem getting invited to perform in classrooms for that one school - knowing people is definitely the best way to get in, but it doesn't hurt to just stop in and talk to the principal. You can also get yourself known by working in youth programs like Scouts or through your local parks and recreation department, or at libraries.
Good luck.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 02:34 PM

Considering the woeful financial straits that our educational system is in, such volunteerism is noble. However, there are two drawbacks to your musical largesse. First, there are many musicians who depend on their school programs for a part of their livlihood: for some, its the better part of their income. Every gratis gig takes food off their table. Second, if schools can get music ed. for free, the grasping politicians who already despise public schools will only draw the purse strings tighter. What you might consider is giving a fee sample; an appetizer to be follwed by a remunerated main course and dessert. Good fortune to your efforts - TH

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: Sean Belt
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 03:11 PM

Joe, thanks for the advice and the blue clicky. I'll certainly look into it.

curmudgeon, you raise a couple of valid issues. I certainly don't want to take bread out of anyone's mouth or further perpetuate a bad situation. I'm not sure that there is a satisfactory solution to them. At this point, all I can do is follow my conscience and my instincts. This trying to live skillfully and happily can sure be a trial sometimes, eh?

- Sean

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: Alice
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 05:36 PM

You may want to contact local public libraries that often have Saturday story telling programs for kids. You could coordinate folk music with story telling programs. Definitely promote the value of this work by letting people know performance should be remunerated fairly. If you can get some funding from a state arts program or do a fundraiser, that would be good.

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: bet
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 06:45 PM

I am an elementary school music teacher. My district, so far, has enough money to hire a music teacher for each grade school. WE FEEL VERY LUCKY. We do not have money for performances etc. In reviewing our curiculium last year the music teachers made it one of our goals to get more real life music and less CD,tapes and videos into our classes. These all have there place but real life is much better. I would love to have any of you come to my school, you would not be taking food out of anyones mouth we have no money for hiring. All my students see are the freebes and we love them. There are several ways you could arrange to come in: **see the music teacher **talk to the principal **parent groups are always helpful **if you know any of the students, have them talk to the music teach and have the teacher contact you. **classroom teachers are also good sources. Don't be bashful about asking, if the school has money to hire, they'll let you know. If they don't you will be welcomed with open arms. bet

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: GUEST,Curmudgeon
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 08:46 PM

As an alternative, you might consider doing a program at the library, town hall, or even in the school AFTER the end of the school day. Ask that each child be accompanied by a parent or sibling of voting age and gently agitate. Remind those good folks that this great economic boom hasn't trickled down yet and that all artists, musical and otherwise deserve some remuneration even as low as union minimum. All the heartfelt thanks and appreciation just don't pay the bills. My sympathies go outto Bet. I taught for nearly 20 years and I do knw what depradations can be wrought upon a school system by parsimonious prigs. However, is there money for athletics to benefit the few? Fan the Flames - TH

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: Dani
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 02:25 PM

All wonderful ideas/thoughts.

Cant' wait to spend some time reading over that other thread that I (somehow) missed.

A couple of thoughts about elementary schools:

Sure there are 'pros', and they're wonderful. James "Sparky" Rucker is one not to be missed at a school near you.

But there are folk musicians in most communities who are NOT pros, and would love to be asked to play. Many would play for free, for the love of sharing the music. Some who are wonderful might want someone with them to hold their hand, introduce, facilitate, whatever. Some are seasoned performers.

I guess what I want to say is, I don't want to take away from any of these wonderful musicians and performers, but if we ONLY invite people who sing for their supper, so to speak, we miss out on a whole other way for people to experience community.

We need to do both.

Our children had the neat experience of having one of the librarians come to school with his instruments and songs, games and tales from the NC mountains. When they next saw him at the library,he had with him his friend Clark Jones, a wonderful old man who sings from his considerable store of American and Appalachian folk tunes and ballads.

One thing to consider is that even when a school has no $ there is very often grant money out there for exactly this sort of thing. All it takes is a savvy parent to go between and arrange. Our elementary school has had FABULOUS programs, most at little/no cost to the school because we have an energetic, dedicated person to go out and find the money.

But what we have also had, and which is just as valuable, is for a parent to come, or to bring a friend, to a classroom and share something that they love. Whatever the tradition, whatever the song or instrument or dance you share, it will be welcome.

If you aren't already, make yourself familiar to the parents and teachers at a school near you, and make it happen!

Go Sean! We need more people like you.

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: GUEST,Jeff Emmett
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 02:58 PM

Hi Sean,

One of my fondest memories was making music with my kids and their classmates in their school, and I would encourage you to go for it! Kids starting at a very early age are ripe for exposure to folk music.

Advise: make it as interactive as possible. Musical games that include hand motions/body movements are winners among little ones. Making homemade instruments is exciting to kids, and they have something to take home and treasure. (Max has provided us with a nifty link at the top of each page "kids" where you can find patterns for making instruments.)

The rewards for doing this are multiple - primarily the sheer joy of participating with kids! It's a kick! They have the best questions about instruments.

A treasure of mine is a white Hanes T-shirt that each kid in my boy's classroom drew on in permanent colors. One kid drew a picture of my banjo, one drew a music staff with 4 lines and notes on it, one girl drew her dog and cat. It was given to me as a thank you for making music with the class. I'm so proud of that shirt and of the kids' enthusiasm for music.

Go for it, Sean. I doubt you'll ever regret it.

All the best,

Jeff

Subject: RE: Volunteering music in schools
From: bet
Date: 10 Aug 00 - 01:05 PM

Dani, you said it best. Local talent is wonderful and should be used. Many parents have talents they hide until encouraged to share. Jeff, I'm sure many kids remeber your time spent with them. The young and young at heart really eat up things like that.

Keep volunteering! bet