Collaborations And Arts Access
HVS Jazz Sampler
This project is made possible through a joint effort between Friends of the Arts (FOTA) and Abilities!. A grant from the New York State Music Fund was awarded to FOTA to work collaboratively with HVS to provide a Jazz Sampler Program. The program provides performances, workshops and residencies with professional artists and experts in the field.
The teaching artist (pictured in the video) conducting the HVS elementary residency throughout this year, and who began our first jazz choir for elementary and high school students, is Louise Rogers, a jazz vocalist who conducts school residency programs, performs in Jazz clubs in New York and has several CDs for adults and children.
Students learn about the art of improvisation and scat, compose original songs, jazz up fairy tales and stories, learn about jazz masters as well as the elements and history of jazz. Jazz will be woven into math, poetry, graphic design, social studies, ELA, and other lessons as teachers integrate jazz into their curriculum. The 2 year program will run through the spring of 2008 with opportunities for both the elementary and high school students to participate at different levels as well as opportunities to learn about related careers.
Funding for the New York State Music Fund was created when the New York State Attorney General’s Office resolved investigations against major record companies that had violated state and federal laws prohibiting “pay for play,” otherwise known as “payola.” The settlement agreement stipulated that funds paid by music businesses would support music education and appreciation for the benefit of New York State residents. The Attorney General’s Office enlisted the services of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, one of the nation’s largest and most experienced philanthropy services, to develop and manage the grant program.
10/3/07 - Jazz vocalist Louise Rogers continued her work with HVS teaching jazz history, performance, and song writing to elementary school students.
9/28/07 - Pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator Eli Yamin and Trio performed The Magic and Mechanics of Jazz at HVS.
9/28/07 - Fran Prezant was an invited panelist at the international conference Art Beyond Sight: Multimodal approaches to learning, Creativity and Communication at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and co-sponsored by both the Met and Art Education for the Blind. The presentation was on the panel: Case Studies in Multimodal Approaches in Arts Access and information was shared on our Abilities!-FOTA Jazz Sampler Project at the Henry Viscardi School based on a collaborative grant from the NYS Music Fund administered through Rockefeller Philanthropies. The panel was moderated by Francesca Rosenberg , Director of Community and Access Programs-MoMA and the co panelist was Dr. Pam Rogers from Pure Vision Arts/Shield Institute.
4/27/07 - The first HVS Jazz choir performed for the school under the direction of their choir leader, Louise Rogers. This group is composed of students who volunteered and auditioned to work together a few times a week with Louise and this was their first opportunity to perform as a group. Also, the East Meadow Jazz Choir were invited to present to the school audience as well. Both groups of singers were met with a rousing welcome by the audience and hope to do more in the future!
4/26/07 - A panel composed of professionals in music, entertainment and related careers presented to the HVS high school students. Panelists included Lois Kipnis, Kenn Doza, Debi Honorof all from Friends of the Arts, Peter Goodman a former Newsday reviewer and Louise Rogers, jazz vocalist and teaching artist. Panelists discussed numerous career options that included, performing, reviewing music performances, journalism, booking performances, brochure design, website development, videography, photography, graphic design, layout, PR and marketing among others. The purpose of the session was to stimulate students to learn about career possibilities related to the performing arts.
As part of the 2 year Jazz program, Dr. Kim McCord, Professor of Music Education from Illinois State University, spent a week working with HVS students using new adapted instruments made available through our ongoing collaboration on this program with Friends of the Arts. During this week long period, we facilitated interactive broadcasts between the working classes and Dr. McCord’s university students back at Illinois State. These future teachers included music educators, therapists and special educators who were involved in an active exchange of information with HVS students, therapists and teachers using the broadcast as the vehicle.
Earlier in the year, Dr. McCord was also here conducting an all day Saturday workshop for area educators on Adapting Music Instruction for Students with Disabilities. Two teachers from HVS were among the program participants
All The World’s A Stage… and everyone’s a player
Friends of the Arts and
Arts Initiatives at Abilities!, are collaborating with the Henry Viscardi School,
Herricks Middle School and Stages of Learning for an exciting and innovative arts-in-education
inclusive project — All The World’s A Stage… and everyone’s
a player.
Now in its third year, this collaborative arts-in-education project involves sixth-graders from the Henry Viscardi School and sixth-graders from Herricks Middle School working together in a ten-session residency to bring scenes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from the page to the stage. Under the guidance of an artist-in-residence from Stages of Learning , students from both schools are learning to speak Shakespeare’s language with meaning and understanding. The residency is taking place at the Smeal Learning Center at the Abilities! from October through December, and will culminate with a student presentation for parents and selected classes from both schools.
All The World’s A Stage. is designed to use the performing arts as the vehicle to build a sense of community among the students, foster understanding and respect, teach students to accept diversity in thoughts and abilities. This unique arts experience provides students with different learning styles and abilities the opportunity to interact, communicate, and learn together while meeting NYS Learning Standards and expanding knowledge.
The rehearsal technique employed by Stages of Learning (formerly the Chekhov Theatre Ensemble) is unique in that students work in choral character teams, speaking the lines in unison. This technique develops confidence and provides the opportunity for all children to participate. According to Floyd Rumohr, Artistic Director of Stages of Learning, “Theatre is the most collaborative of art forms, and there’s nothing like it for building community and increased understanding among seemingly different groups of people.” The mission of Stages of Learning is to improve the educational success, social well-being, and potential for happiness of children, ages 8-13, through fun, kinesthetic theatre based activities.
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