Article about Artistic Habits of Mind

Should you find yourself with some free moments this winter break, take a look at this article.  Though now a couple of years old, it is still a great read.  Co-written by Ellen Winner (who also wrote Gifted Children: Myths and Realities), it explains some of the patterns of thinking that are unique to arts education. 

In the article, the authors explain why the so-called "Mozart Effect" (the idea that listening to or performing music makes one smarter in other areas, like math) is not a strong idea.  Research studies of this idea are weak, and the concept is not one which resounds with most arts educators as a valuable point of view for inclusion of arts education in the school day.  Relying on the arts' ability to help improve other areas shortchanges all of the other artistic life skills that are unique to arts education. 

In this article, those artistic life skills are discussed as observing, envisioning, innovating through exploration, and reflective self-evaluation. 

The article is one of my favorites--definitely worth the three minutes of reading!

Still Photos of Kindergarten Music Class

Kindergarteners have had a busy first term in Sage music--they've learned some solfege, how to use their singing voice, their basic rhythmic patterns, and a bunch of circle and partner dances.

Most of the still photos in this movie compilation were taken while students were dancing.  The video is about two minutes in length.  Check back soon for another video posting of all Prime classes showing off their folk dancing steps!

Middle School Students and Sage Faculty Sing Together at Winter Assembly

This morning at Winter Assembly, Doogie, Ian M., Alex M., Sophia L., Kiely, Miryam and Monica A. were joined by Mrs. Trogolo, Senorita Ryan, Mr. Miller and Mr. Fitz-Roy in singing two pieces in four-part harmony.

I'm still new at figuring out the best ways to share audio files though the blog, but the link below will take you to a link to an mp3 download of "Auld Lang Syne."

online backup storage

And this link should take you to a download of the link of the performance of "Grant Me True Courage," the piece students sang for their District Audition a couple of weeks ago.

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Students worked hard, practicing at home and giving up spare moments at recess and dismissal to be prepared. Joining faculty and students together for singing was a fun experience for all involved, and I'm really pleased with the musical results!

Please note: clicking on the links above should take you to a website, where you can click "Download this File," where the file is being stored. In my experiments, this has worked, but if you have trouble, please let me know. Also be aware that this is an external site in no way affiliated with Sage.

This Year's Musical Announced!

At last Friday morning meeting, Ms. Bazinet and Miss Hogan announced this year's musical:

Students in grades 5-8 are welcome to audition in March for this year's musical, Broadway Junior's "The Pirates of Penzance."

For a brief summary of the plot, click on this outside link.

7th and 8th Grade Students Accepted to Music Festival

This past Saturday, nine Sage 7th and 8th graders traveled to Marshfield where they did something a little intimidating: they went all by themselves into an audition room to sing or to play their instrument and be judged by the stranger sitting in the room.

All auditioning students prepared well and worked hard to get ready, and all nine students were accepted to represent Sage at the Massachusetts Music Educators Southeastern District Music Festival in March, where they'll rehearse and perform with accepted students from other schools in this part of Massachusetts.

Congratulations to Harris, cello; Arooshe, violin; Doogie, tenor; Ian, bass; Alex M., tenor; Kiely, alto; Sophia L., soprano; Avery, violin; and Eric H., clarinet!

Junior and MS students explore "DigiArt"

The art room has been filled with computers lately! The Juniors are learning how to use an online image editing program called Aviary Phoenix. They've become quite proficient at drawing, using the selection tools and are starting to work with layers. MS students are using the same program to modify their watercolor paintings in meaningful (and often humorous!) ways. Here are a few of their creations, with full galleries coming soon...

"Sound" by Nathan Piecyk

"Stars" by Nate Smyth

"Ocean Forest" by Nick Plotkin

"Screwed Up Landscape" by Aaron Handleman

Middle School Instrument Unit is Nearing Time for Culminating Projects

Since the middle of October, music-making activities for middle schoolers have been framed through the lens of different instruments, how they are made, and how we can create and classify "instruments" from every day things.

We've used the Hornbostel-Sachs method of classifying our glass bottle flutes, pizza box guitars, and plastic Boomwhackers. This method classifies instruments by the method of sound production. For each type of instrument we've looked at, we've composed, arranged, or performed a piece of music.

Students have had some inspiration along the way.
This is a clip of a man we've dubbed as "bottle guy":



Miss Hogan's favorite clip of inspiration is of the Viennese Vegetable Orchestra:


Later to come:
Some clips of our instrument making endeavors, including the upcoming final projects, where students will create an instrument that does not already exist out of every day materials. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the kettle drums made from gumballs, and the PVC trombones, and everything else Sage students dream up!
Stay tuned.