If you could open the eyes and ears of our nation's youth and give them resources to broaden and shape their view of the the world around us and also inside of themselves, would you give them every opportunity?
This is my job as the choral and general music teacher at a public school in New Jersey.
Our diverse population comes together for the K-8 years and then divides into regional high school.
As the only mandatory performing arts class in the building, it is my responsibility to prepare these students for a lifetime of arts appreciation. I aim to develop discerning, critical ears and minds that are challenged and intrigued by art. In my general music class, we journey through the world and create musical experiences as often as we are audience to them. Dance, drama, opera and theater as well as performance art is all included in our study of visual arts. My students are technologically savvy, inquisitive and creative on the whole.
My Project
By incorporating this piece of music technology into the comprehensive music class, I can provide a deep and wide musical vocabulary of experiences for these students to take with them into adulthood. My aim is to prepare students for an ever changing world in the arts and an effective way to touch their lives is to provide relevant, current examples of that art. Electronic music is prevalent in our culture and will usher in the next wave of musical composition. With this instrument, students who do not benefit from conventional (band/orchestra) musical performance ensembles may gain a voice. Students who are physically unable to hold an instrument may enjoy the same connection to a theremin as others may have to a conventional instrument by having pitch and timbre changed through physical proximity. Students who are advanced in their musical studies may enjoy a different experience with the theremin.
This project would not be funded through traditional means.
Our board of education is supportive, however, through DonorsChoose.org, this exceptional grant may be filled by music enthusiasts and passionate members of the community. Please support this kind of innovative musical programming because the children that benefit from it today are our nation's future.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Bullen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.