From the President
Dear Families and Friends of SCAPA,
Kathy Warnecke Ryan
April 2009
Table of Contents
- From the President
- From the Principals
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
- Announcements and Reminders
- Recent Events
- SCAPA Spotlights
- Academic News
- Arts News
- Club and Team News
- Arts Rountable
- Arts Bookbag
- Alumni News
- The Art of Parenting
- Volunteer Opportunities
- FOAS Board Officers and Representatives
Friends of the Arts School Website
From the Principals
Bluegrass
Letter from Marilynn Cunningham
Dear SCAPA Families:
I am hoping you all had a restful spring break and you are ready for the last leg of the SCAPA Bluegrass journey for the school year of 2008-2009. “Fiddler on the Roof” began all of our spring breaks with a wonderful start. It exemplified the SCAPA experience. The play showed the enthusiasm of our high school students and once again the support from our families. Bravo!
Last month this letter closed with wishing our mathletes and chess team good luck in the state tournament. The results of both are in. Our mathlete team placed sixth in the state and at the state Scholastic Individual Championship match, our 6th grade student placed first.
At the State Science and Engineering Fair, we had a 7th grader win the Navy Award and another 7th grader won 1st place in Physics and Astronomy. For the 12th year, the Speech team won the state. To see individual state winners, watch Channel 13. They always do a great job of showcasing our students’ individual accomplishments The mayor visited our school to accept a $350 check from our “BottleBattle” team. They earned money from the sale of their bottles and contributed .5 of the proceeds to Bluegrass Pride. That event may be viewed on our LFUC government channel.
This report is the tip of the iceberg for what our Penguins are busy about doing. It causes a slippery, sliding feeling about this time of the year. In order to slide in style, stay informed. Our web page is an excellent way to keep up with all the celebrations and events. Please make sure that you contact us if you are not able to get your question answered with the usual references. We are here to serve you and give back just a little for what you give to us with your son or daughter and your support.
Keep the Arts in our Hearts.
Sincerely,
Marilynn Cunningham, Principal
If you need help as a parent, remember, I am an email (marilynn.cunningham@fayette.kyschools.us) or phone call (859) 381-3332 away. Don’t hesitate to contact me. If we work together, it offers a structure within which your student may accomplish great things.
Lafayette
Letter from Vicki Ritchie
Dear Friends of the Arts,
Now that everyone has had a week away from school and work, we can buckle down for the last big push to finish the year on a high note. The seniors finished their writing portfolios before spring break and even though there have been some changes in the testing procedures, we are committed to scoring the portfolios for our seniors who worked so hard developing and revising their pieces.
Sophomores and juniors will also be gearing up for the KCCT tests which will be administered April 20-24. Again, we will be using test results to let students and teachers know how they have performed, even with the changes to the state accountability system.
Lafayette’s graduation ceremonies have been set for 4:00 pm on Friday, June 5, 2009. They will be held at Rupp Arena.
Welcome back!
Sincerely,
Vicki Ritchie
(Please check the SCAPA website regularly for updates)
- Monday, April 6, 2pm, 8th Grade Showcase Meeting (Students Only)
- Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10, Bluegrass SCAPA Book Fair, Library
- Friday, April 10, 12:14-3:00pm, 8th Grader and Arts Majors Group Pictures, Helm Hall.
- Friday, April 17, 5-8pm, Art Lease at the Gallery Hop, Downtown Arts Center Black Box Theatre
- Sunday, April 19, 1:30-4pm, Bluegrass SCAPA Speech Team Banquet, Sal’s Restaurant
- Tuesday, April 21, 6:30pm, FOAS Meeting, Bluegrass SCAPA Library
- Friday, April 23, 6:30pm, Vocal Recital, MPR
- Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, High School Concert Band Festival, Scott County High School
- Tuesday, April 28, All Day, Fayette County Honors Choir, Calvary Baptist Church
- Tuesday, April 28-Thursday, April 30, Lafayette Band Auditions
- Thursday, April 30, 6:30pm, Elementary Band/Strings Concert, MPR
- Friday, May 8, 7pm, Lafayette SCAPA Piano Recital, Central Christian Church
- Saturday, May 9, 4:30pm, Bluegrass SCAPA Elementary Piano Recital, Centenary Methodist Church
- Saturday, May 9, 7pm, Bluegrass SCAPA Middle School Piano Recital, Centenary Methodist Church
- Friday, May 15, 4-6pm, Bluegrass SCAPA MS Dance Informance rehearsal, Beeler Auditorium
- Monday, May 18, 8:30-11:30am, Author Kaza Kingsley visiting MS students, Bluegrass Library
- Monday, May 18, 4-6pm, Bluegrass SCAPA Elem. Dance Informance rehearsal, Beeler Auditorium
- Monday, May 18, 6pm, SCAPAcelli's for the 8th graders, Helm Hall
- Monday, May 18, 6:30pm, FOAS Meeting, Bluegrass Library
- Tuesday, May 19, 6:30pm, Bluegrass Vocal Concert, MPR
- Wednesday, May 20, 6pm, 4th Grade Orientation, Helm Hall
- Thursday, May 21, 7pm, Dance Informance, Beeler Auditorium
- Friday, May 22, 3:45-4:30pm, After school auditions for 8th Grade Showcase
- Friday, May 22, 8pm, Lafayette SCAPA Senior Drama production of "The Odd Couple" (female version), Lexington Children's Theatre
- Saturday, May 23, 8pm, Lafayette SCAPA Senior Drama production of "The Odd Couple" (female version), Lexington Children's Theatre
- Monday, May 25, No School, Memorial Day
- Tuesday, May 26, 6:30pm, Bluegrass SCAPA MS Band/Strings Concert, MPR
- Thursday, May 28, 4-7pm, 8th Grade Showcase Tech rehearsal, Beeler Auditorium
- Friday, May 29, 8th Grade Showcase, Beeler Auditorium
- Wednesday, June 3, 7pm, 8th Grade Completion Ceremony, MPR with reception to follow in HH
- Thursday, June 4, Last Day of School, Academic and Arts Awards
ATTENTION SCAPA Graduates from the Class of 1990!
If you are interested in holding a ten-year reunion during the weekend of Lafayette's Homecoming (usually in September/October) or sometime during the 2009-2010 academic year, please contact Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman at (859) 381-3332 ext. 1102 or carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us. The Friends of the Arts School would be happy to host and help you plan a gathering for your SCAPA class! Hope to hear from you.
SCAPA Art Lease at the Gallery Hop
The Art Lease program will be a stop on the Gallery Hop trail in the Downtown Arts Center's Black Box Theatre on Friday, April 17th from 5-8pm. We will be exhibiting artwork by our Bluegrass and Lafayette visual arts majors. There will also be performances by students from many of SCAPA's art disciplines. Refreshments will be served. Please show your support by stopping by to see what our artists have been working on for the past few months. If you would like to donate food or beverage items, help with set up or tear down, or serve as a docent, please call Vicki Jenkins at 576-4474 or Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman at 381-3332 ext. 1102. Hope to see you there!
SBDM Nominations and Elections
SBDM nominations and elections are coming up. Please contact John Cole if you are interested in running or want to nominate someone. John can be reached at (859) 351-1983 or johnecoleiii.aafinc@insightbb.com.
Auditions for Summerfest 2009
Auditions for Summerfest 2009 will be Sat. April 4, 4:00 – 7:00pm Schmidt Vocal Arts Center and Sun. April 5, 4:00 – 7:00pm at the UK Fine Arts Building/Movement Studio.
Special children’s audition ages 8 - 14! Sunday, April 5 2:00 - 3:15 pm. at the Schmidt Vocal Arts Center
Auditions are open to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. We are specifically seeking a very racially diverse cast for "Once On This Island." Please prepared a song and wear comfortable clothes for dance. If you have any questions, please email kctcsummerfest@yahoo.com.
Kentucky Writer’s Day
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The Kentucky Center’s Governor’s School for the Arts will celebrate Kentucky Writer’s Day with an event featuring the Affrilachian Poets and jazz pianist Harry Pickens for an evening celebrating the spoken word. “Turning the Page: A Celebration of Kentucky Writer’s Day and Governor’s School for the Arts” will take place on Friday, April 24, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the East Room of The Kentucky Center, 501 W. Main St., Louisville. |
The event will kick-off with an open mic session from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by music, formal readings and book signings. Featured readers include GSA faculty member Mitchell Douglas, alumna Tania James and poet Frank X Walker. The 2009 Kentucky Poet Laureate Gurney Norman will also join GSA for this special evening.
This free reading is to raise support for the Governor’s School for the Arts. It costs the program $2,800 to support each student. Unfortunately, this coming year GSA will experience a 20% cut in funding from the legislature. That means that, unless GSA can raise the difference, 18 fewer students will be able to attend GSA in 2009. GSA is free for every student who attends.
A $28 donation is suggested. Above all, please come out and show your support of the program and the writing community!
Please RSVP at hbell@kentuckycenter.org, or by calling Heather Weston Bell, 502-562-0148.
Established in 1991, the Affrilachian Poets were started by poet Frank X Walker to bring the words of Kentucky artists to the forefront. The Lexington-based writing group has slowly established a regional and national presence with their collective publishing efforts, accumulated awards and reputations as accomplished teaching artists at some of the nation’s most notable institutions and writing programs.
Harry Pickens is a pianist, composer, teacher, and organizational consultant. His recordings, concerts and workshops have touched over 250,000 people across the past 25 years. He is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including the 2007 Community Arts Award (Arts Council of Louisville), the Center For Conflict Resolution Peacemaker Award (2005), LEO Reader’s Choice Best Jazz Band award (2005), and the Plymouth Lighthouse Award (2007).
The Governor’s School for the Arts is one of relatively few similar programs throughout the country, and is the only one managed by an arts institution. In 1987, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts and the Kentucky Department of the Arts introduced the Governor’s School for the Arts, officially inaugurated under Governor Martha Layne Collins’ administration. The program was founded to address the needs of an underserved population, the state’s artistically gifted and talented young people. See more: www.kentuckygsa.org.
The King and I
Paragon Musical Theatre's production of "The King and I"!
SCAPA Bluegrass Dance Intensive Workshop
SCAPA Bluegrass second summer workshop, June 22-26, is available to all present and incoming Dance Majors and Minors, with other interested students also invited space allowing. This has been funded through a Fayette County Public School's 2020 Arts Grant.
Classes will be in two levels: Elementary and Middle School, with base classes of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Other possible "samplings" will be Jazz; Modern; Turns class; Jumps/leaps class; Tap (those without shoes "Tap in Tennis Shoes"); Yoga and Pilates.
Clases will run approximately 10:00 -1:00 each day.
Professionals within the community and SCAPA high school teachers have been contacted already, other professionals still to be invited.
Parent help will be needed with organization and running of the week workshop. A meeting will be set up for after Spring Break....more information coming for the date of that meeting. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Patti Bingham, patti.bingham@fayette.kyschools.us.
Broadway Bound!
A unique musical theater training opportunity for students in Lexington and surrounding areas. Broadway Bound is proud to provide two streams of training:
Broadway Bound Conservatory:
A performing arts “college” for kids, the conservatory offers a maximum variety of specialized training and classes. Students will be offered “electives” in specialized topics as well as training in the fundamentals of singing, acting, dancing and elements of auditioning, exploring new opportunities, and creation. All students are encouraged to attend this camp, as the skills they gain will be invaluable!
Broadway Bound Performance Camps:
These week-long day camp program offers classes in voice, dance, and drama, culminating in a fantastic broadway-revue final program. Students will have opportunities to learn music from various musical theater productions, to work with talented professionals who will challenge and inspire them, to gain confidence and skill in artistic expression, to become a valuable part of a performing team, and to make new friends in the context of a positive, encouraging, and non-competitive environment.
SCAPA in 4th of July Parade
Believe it or not the 4th of July Parade is just around the corner. I will be glad to do just what we did last year and have SCAPA students, parents, teachers, staff, etc. meet as a group and march in the parade with our banner handing out flyers and candy. However, if there are parents who want a more significant presence, such as a float or truck, I NEED HELP! If there is anyone interested in assisting in this effort I would deeply appreciate it. Please contact me at carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us or 381-3332 ext. 1102.
Friends of the Arts School (FOAS) Meetings
Mark you calendars for the meeting dates in 2008-09:
- August 19 - Meeting Minutes
- September 16 - Meeting Minutes
- October 21 - Meeting Minutes
- November 18 - Meeting Minutes
December 16- Cancelled- January 20 - Meeting Minutes
- February 17 - Meeting Minutes
- March 16 - Meeting Minutes New
- April 21
- May 19
Fiddler on the Roof
Lafayette SCAPA's production of "Fiddler on the Roof" was highlighted on the front page of the FCPS website. Also, view a Slide Show of Friday Nights Performance.
Bottle Battle Team
The Bottle Battle Team sold over 275 bottles and earned $700.00 to be divided between SCAPA and LFUCG's Reforest the Bluegrass program. The team presented Mayor Jim Newberry a check for $350.00 at Bluegrass SCAPA on Thursday, March 26th. To read more about Bottle Battle Team visit http://www.fcps.net/news/features/2008-09/eco-challenge or visit their website at http://www.thebottlebattle.webs.com. Bottles should be delivered to those who ordered them during the week of April 6th. Congratulations to the team and thank you to everyone who supported their efforts!
SCAPA's Student Featured on Local TV Station
SCAPA's state champion speech team and the BottleBattle team were featured on the WTVQ evening and morning news. Kellie Wilson from WTVQ was nice enough to go the extra mile and post a version of the story on YouTube so that the BottleBattle team could include the link in their competition entry. In case you missed the original broadcast here is the video.
This section is reserved for recognizing accomplishments by SCAPA students, parents, faculty and staff. Please send arts accomplishments to Melissa Frank (melissa@melissavoiceover.com), academic accomplishments to Beth Poulton (bpoulton@insightbb.com) and anything else to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman (carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us). Space limitations will determine how many we can include in any given month.
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SCAPA Student Winner at Student Technology Leadership Program FairJoseph Wrightson, Bluegrass SCAPA 8th grade visual arts major, won first place in the original computer art category for middle schoolers at the Student Technology Leadership Program Fair on Saturday, March 14th.
Lafayette student wins visual arts contestCory Cameron of Lafayette High School has won the 2009 Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation’s visual arts contest. The annual competition is open to high school students in Fayette, Jessamine, Clark, Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties. Each entry must be a representation of a historic structure in one of the participating counties. Students may select any view of, or detail from, the structure of their choice. They also may choose any media for their project. This year’s award recipients included: The arts exhibit was featured March 13-15 at the Blue Grass Trust Antiques & Garden Show in the U.K. HealthCare lecture tent at Keeneland. The award winners were given two complimentary tickets to the show. They were also awarded a complimentary membership to the Blue Grass Trust. High School Regional Art ShowThe high school regional art show was held at Eastern Kentucky University's Gallery. The following SCAPA Lafayette students participated:
Cory Cameron received first place in painting. Former Bluegrass SCAPA artist/band major, Nate Blankenship, was awarded best of show in 3-D. Nate will be attending Cincinnati Art Academy this fall. (Photos) Shakespeare Monologue CompetitionOn Sunday, March 1st in the midst of the Mill Girls production, Macy Early was awarded 1st Place in the middle school division of the state Shakespeare Monologue Competition held in Louisville by the Kentucky Chapter of the English Speaking Union. Congratulations Macy! Regional Science FairOn Saturday, March 7th, nine SCAPA students competed at the Regional Science Fair at the University of Kentucky. The following students earned awards for their projects. In addition, Mitchell Kilgore and Connor VanMeter participated in the State Science & Engineering Fair on April 4th at Eastern Kentucky University earned awards for their projects. Connor Van Meter won a Navy Award, and Mitchell Kilgore won 1st place in Middle School Physics & Astronomy. Mitchell is the first SCAPA student in history to win a first place award at the state science fair. Congratulations to Mitchell and Connor! 4th Grade SCAPA Winners
7th Grade SCAPA Winners
NSAL Drama Career Award CompetitionThe Kentucky Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters held the 2009 Drama Career Award Competition on Sunday, March 15 in Balagula Theatre at Natasha’s Bistro in Lexington, Kentucky. Judges for the competition included: David Richmond, Actor, Producer and Director; Dr. Tim Soulis, Director, Lucille Little Theatre, Transylvania University; Mike Thomas, Artistic Director, Washington Opera House, Maysville, Kentucky; and Doug Schutte, Executive Director, Kentucky Theatre Association. Carey Parsons who is a senior at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) in Lexington, Kentucky was awarded second place and $700.00. Representatives from regional theatres presented awards as well. Balagula Theatre’s Outstanding Character Development Award was presented by their Artistic Director, Ryan Case, to Katelin (Jo) Fields-Elswick, a graduate of SCAPA who currently attends the University of Kentucky. Kentucky Theatre Association’s Award for excellence in performance was presented to Carey Parsons. Becca Howell, a SCAPA senior, also participated in the event. Congratulations to our SCAPA drama seniors and alumni! |
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Submit information to Beth Poulton (bpoulton@insightbb.com)
Middle School Science
Ms. Randolph’s Classroom
Check out our classroom website that lists the weekly spelling words. This might come in handy if the book or pretest is accidentally left at home the night before the test.
Submit information to Melissa Frank (melissa@melissavoiceover.com)
Bluegrass
Art - No submission this month
Band
Creative Writing - No submission this monthh
Drama
7th and 8th grade drama majors will be working on two full length plays between now and the end of the school year: As It Is in Heaven, a play involving 9 Shaker women at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, in the 1840s, and The Odd Couple, Neil Simon's famous comedy about two opposites in personality trying to live in the same apartment. Specifics about the performances of these two offerings will be announced in late April or early May.
Dance - No submission this month
Strings
Nine SCAPA students auditioned for Fayette County Honors Orchestra. All nine were accepted with the following placement:
- Cello: Anna Wilson (1st chair), Cody Taylor (2nd chair), Katie Jones (3rd chair), Robert Wendroth (5th chair)
- Viola: Sarah MacDonald (1st chair)
- First violin: Dylan Rowe (10th chair), Clare Holl (11th chair), Sarah Jeoung (13th chair), Taylor Bagley (18th chair)
Congratulations to these students and we wish them good luck in their performance at Singletary Center on Saturday, April 18.
Vocal - No submission this month
Visual Arts - No submission this month
Video Production - No submission this month
Lafayette
Drama
Theatre IV senior drama majors will be presenting Neil Simon's The Odd Couple (the Female Version) in late May. The tentative dates are Friday, 22 May, and Saturday, 23 May. The location will be announced later.
Strings - No submission this month
Band
Vocal
Gabrielle Barker, a junior vocal major at SCAPA auditioned for and was accepted to the Kentucky Baptist All-State Youth Choir. The choir will tour Kentucky and perform at various churches during the summer, 2009.
Bluegrass
State Math Counts Tournament
The State Math Counts Tournament took place on Saturday, March 28. There were 159 students from over 50 schools competing as either individuals and/or part of a team. (There is an Individual 'Sprint' competition and a Team competition.) There were 28 teams competing in the Team round, including SCAPA Bluegrass. The State Level is, of course, very competitive.
Congratulations to the following students for earning the 6th Place Team Trophy Award in the State Math Counts Tournament. SCAPA Bluegrass was well represented by these 4 devoted students.
- Casey Ren
- Leia Wedlund
- Joseph Natter
- Maeve Draper
In addition to this team accomplishment, in the individual competition, Leia and Casey made the top 25%. Casey was 15th and Leia was 37th.
Destination Imagination Results
I am really proud of all 3 of our Destination ImagiNation teams! We had a great time at the state tournament in Louisville.
The "Ice Melting" team earned 1st place in their challenge "A New Angle". They built a two-part structure weighing 25 grams that held 80 lbs! They incorporated this feat of strength into a dramatic skit about an art collector looking for the perfect new piece for her collection. She was willing to pay by the pound! Members of Ice Melting, James Carter and Stephanie Stumbur were recognized with a "Spirit of DI" award for persevering to complete their challenge even after three team members had to drop out because of other commitments.
"Kate, Esther, and the Homeboys" presented a live music video and dramatic retelling of the Peter Pan story in a modern setting. Kate Marshall (as Tinkerbell) and Esther Putman (as Wendy) wowed the crowed with a "teleporter" dance accompanied by an original rap by Taylor Bagley. Johnathan Wheatley was featured as Captain Hook, and Kurtis Brown (as Peter Pan) sang the musical piece "Grow Up".
The "Magical Sporks" team presented an original operatic musical renditaion of the Narnia stories. Emma Centers made a grand entrance on a sleigh as the White Witch (they call her Ralph?). Herman Bratcher starred as the mighty lion Aslan (who was also portrayed as a mighty tenor). Jared Frank drew astonishment from the judges and the crowd with a combination martial arts/extreme flexibility demonstration. Joel Nelson kept the team on beat with drumming as King Peter of Narnia wearing a gleaming cape and sword. Their presentation was a celebration of the unique personalities of the team!
Theses teams competed at the middle school level and placed 4th and 5th in a very competitive category.
The biggest triumph of the day was seeing the students present work they had conceived, constructed, and performed on their own. As team managers we got to watch student leaders develop and team relationships grow. Our teams brought together people who might not have normally "hung out" but they learned to listen to each others ideas, appreciate each other, work together for common goals, and build freindships.
Thanks to all of the parents for supporting your students hard work. I really enjoyed working with all of these great kids. Special thanks to team managers Annaliese Bratcher and Patrick Carter for their time, generosity, and leadership. Thanks also to Ms. Conaway for letting us invade her art room on Thursdays. The Friends of the Arts School for their financial backing of our teams, and Ms. Cunningham for her support.
We will meet one last time for the year on Thursday, March 26. We'll review the score sheets, talk about what we've learned, and celebrate our teams accomplishments.
Thanks,
Harold Putman
Lafayette
- No submission this month
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The Arts Roundtable is a place where we can share valuable information about the essential role of the arts in our lives and the lives of our children. (Please submit items to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us, by the 25th of each month.) |
Do Schools Kill Creativity?
This short video (20 mins) of Sir Ken Robinson speaking about the arts and how traditional education destroys creativity is something every SCAPA parent, student and staff member should watch. Take a few minutes and be inspired!
Music Advocacy's Top Ten for Parents
(These were handed out by the music teacher at Squires Elementary before a recent performance)
- In a 2000 survey, 73 percent of respondents agree that teens who play an instrument are less likely to have discipline problems. - Americans Love Making Music - And Value Music Education More Highly Than Ever, American Music Conference, 2000.
- Students who can perform complex rhythms can also make faster and more precise corrections in many academic and physical situations, according to the Center for Timing, Coordination, and Motor Skills, 2000.
- A ten-year study indicates that students who study music achieve higher test scores, regardless of socioeconomic background. - Dr. James Catterall, UCLA.
- A 1997 study of elementary students in an arts-based program concluded that students' math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes increased. - "Arts Exposure and Class Performance," Phi Delta Kappan, October, 1998.
- First-grade students who had daily music instruction scored higher on creativity tests than a control group without music instruction. - K. L. Wolff, The Effects of General Music Education on the Academic Achievement, Perceptual-Motor Development, Creative Thinking, and School Attendance of First-Grade Children, 1992.
- In a Scottish study, one group of elementary students received musical training, while another group received an equal amount of discussion skills training. After six months, the students in the music group achieved a significant increase in reading test scores, while the reading test scores of the discussion skills group did not change. - Sheila Douglas and Peter Willatts, Journal of Research in Reading, 1994.
- According to a 1991 study, students in schools with arts-focused curriculums reported significantly more positive perceptions about their acadeic abilities than students in a comparison group. - Pamela Aschbacher and Joan Herman, The Humanitas Program Evaluation, 1991.
- Students who are rhythmically skilled also tend to better plan, sequence, and coordinate actions in their daily lives. - "Cassily Column," TCAMS Professional Resource Center, 2000.
- In a 1999 Columbia University study, students in the arts are found to be more cooperative with teachers and peers, more self-confident, and better able to express their ideas. These benefits exist across socioeconomic levels. - The Arts Education Partnership, 1999.
- College admissions officers continue to cite participation in music as an important factor in making admissions decisions. They claim that music participation demonstrates time management, creativity, expression, and open-mindedness. - Carl Hartman, "Arts May Improve Students' Grades," The Associated Press, October, 1999.
Music Advocacy's Top Ten Advocacy Quotes
(These were handed out by the music teacher at Squires Elementary before a recent performance)
- "During the Gulf War, the few opportunities I had for relaxation I always listened to music, and it brought me great peace of mind. I have shared my love of music with people throughout this world, while listening to the drums and special instruments of the Far East, Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Far North, and all of this started with the music appreciation course that I was taught in a third-grade elementary class in Princeton, New Jersey. What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children." - General H. Norman Schwarzkopf - United States Army.
- "Music is exciting! It is thrilling to be sitting in a group of musicians playing (more or less) the same piece of music. You are part of a great, powerful, vibrant entity. And nothing beats the feeling you get when you've practiced a difficult section over and over and finally get it right, (yes, even on the wood block). Music is important. It says things your heart can't say any other way, and in a language everyone speaks. Music crosses borders, turns smiles into frowns, and vice versa. These observations are shared with a hope that when schools cut back on music classes, they really think about what they're doing - and don't take music for granted." - Dan Rather - CBS News.
- "In every successful business...there is one budget line that never gets cut. It's called 'Product Development' - and it's key to any company's future growth. Music education is critical to the product development of this nation's most important resource - our children." - John Sykes - President, VH1.
- "The things I learned from my experience in music in school are discipline, perseverance, dependability, composure, courage and pride in results...Not a bad preparation for the workforce!" - Gregory Anrig - President, Educational Testing Service.
- "Music is an essential part of everything we do. Like puppetry, music has an abstract quality which speaks to a worldwide audience in a wonderful way that nourishes the soul." - Jim Henson - television producer and puppeteer.
- "Should we not be putting all our emphasis on reading, writing and math? The 'back-to-basics curricula,' while it has merit, ignores the most urgent void in our present system - absence of self-discipline. The arts, inspiring - indeed requiring - self-discipline, may be more 'basic' to our nation's survival than traditional credit courses. Presently, we are spending 29 times more on science than on the arts, and the result so far is worldwide intellectual embarrassment." - Paul Harvey - syndicated radio show host.
- "It's {music education} terribly important, extremely important - because when you are a child, you are in a receptive age. In high schools, public schools - that's where they must have the best influence, the first influence, which will go through their whole life." - Eugene Ormandy - conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
- "It is our job, as parents, educators, and friends, to see that our young people have the opportunity to attain the thorough education that will prepare them for the future. Much of that education takes place in the classroom. We must encourage our youngsters in such pursuits as music education. In addition to learning the valuable lesson that it takes hard work to achieve success, no matter what the arena, music education can provide students with a strong sense of determination, improved communication skills, and a host of other qualities essential for successful living." - Edward H. Rensi - President and CEO, U.S.A. McDonald's Corporation.
- "A grounding in the arts will help our children see; to bring a uniquely human perspective to science and technology. In short, it will help them as they grow smarter to also grow wiser." - Robert E. Allen - Chairman and CEO, AT&T Corporation.
- "Some people think music education is a privelege, but I think it's essential to being human." - Jewel - singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.
Submit information to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman (carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us)
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The Arts Bookbag is a place where we can recommend books about the arts that we have found to be informative and inspiring. (Please submit titles to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman, carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us, by the 25th of each month.) |
- A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Daniel H. Pink. (2005, 2006). Riverhead Books, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
- The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. Ken Robinson. (2009). Viking, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, 2008, will be appearing as Dennis Sanders in "Smoke on the Mountain," as a member of the ensemble and the understudy for Dennis in "All Shook Up," and as Singing Bear in "The Legend of Jenny Wiley" at Jenny Wiley Theatre for their Summer 2009 season. Show dates and times, tickets, and directions.
Submit information to Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman (carolyn.tieman@fayette.kyschools.us)
Redirecting the Light
Every morning when I email my son at college I begin the message with a famous quote. I recently came across one with particular relevance to our SCAPA community. The quote is from Schumann and says, “To send light into the darkness of human hearts – such is the duty of the artist.” Wow! What a noble ambition – to infuse others with the light of joy, laughter, insight, empathy, enlightenment, or hope.
When I read this statement I thought to myself, “That’s it. That is the motivation I want driving the actions of my sons in their artistic lives.” I want them to be more concerned with creating light in the lives of others than with having the lights shining on them. I happened to run across the Friends of the Arts School (FOAS, the SCAPA parent organization to which we all belong) mission statement shortly after discovering this quote. Allow me to refresh your memory:
The School for the Creative and Performing Arts is a community of students, parents and faculty who envision public school art as a means for building and strengthening existing ties and bonds of understanding between individuals, families and communities. SCAPA Bluegrass and SCAPA Lafayette are enthusiastically committed to an educational program that encourages young people to use their creative and intellectual powers to brighten and enrich the lives of their fellow human beings.
According to this statement, we are in agreement with Schumann. We state that a primary reason for “doing art” is to enhance the lives of those who experience it. As an organization we are saying that we encourage our students to be other focused rather than self focused. You might even say that we recognize their talents and abilities as gifts for which they are responsible for sharing with others in an effort to make the world a better place.
If, indeed, this is our mission then how do we accomplish it? How do we communicate these expectations to our young artists? How do we help them get beyond focusing on how many lines they have in the play, how often and how long they are on stage, whether or not they got a solo, whether they play first or sing last in the recital, whether their picture got leased, whether their story won a prize, or how many dance numbers they are in?
Here are some suggestions:
- Read together and discuss the FOAS mission statement. Display it in a prominent place at home where it can serve as a reminder.
- Clarify expectations for appropriate daily behavior as well as rehearsal and performance behavior. Have clearly stated consequences for failure to comply with these expectations. Express appreciation for cooperation and follow through with consequences as needed.
- Discuss upcoming arts assignments, projects or performances with your student. Explore how they feel about it and whether they have a plan. How will they know they have successfully implemented their plan? How will they know they have done their best?
- Encourage them to imagine their audience for whatever art form they are participating in. Help them explore what kind of experience they want to create for the audience. What do they want them to see, think, hear, feel? How do they want the audience to be touched by their work?
- Provide role models for your students that exemplify the attitudes and behavior you would like to see them adopt.
- Be the change you want to see in your kids. Shakespeare told us that “all the world is a stage.” Every day we have opportunities to redirect the light onto our various audiences - our families, our coworkers, the person we stand behind in the checkout lane, the person in front of us in traffic, etc. My favorite fictional character is Father Tim of the Mitford Series. He begins each day with, “Let my life be a blessing to someone today.” Talk with your children about ways you have tried to be a blessing to others and how others have been a blessing to you. Encourage them to look for opportunities to do the same and to notice and express appreciation to others who have been a blessing to them.
I love the line in The Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf tells Frodo, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” What is important is not how long we are in the light, but what we do with it while we are there.
Prior to her role as SCAPA Arts Facilitator, Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman was a Parent/Family Life Educator and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She was the author of The Parents’ Toolbox for The Lexington Family Magazine as well as Pastoral Parenting for the Church of the Resurrection newsletter.
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