Past projects 9
The Art of the D.J. in a Music Classroom Setting
Funded Oct 12, 2012Thank you so much for your support. This grant supports student creativity using various technological medium. With the introduction of tablets as instruments and the integration of virtual instruments in the music classroom, much of our student's access to music is derived from the technology that they have access to. Kids are glued to "what's hot!" on youtube, and what's on itunes. They are involved in popular television shows like The Voice and American Idol, and I feel strongly that it is the position of the music teacher to bridge the false gap between the highlighted few on these media sources and the 21st century kid of today. Every kid has music in them, and with sincere gratitude for your generosity I am proud to report that the kids at our public school can create original music just like the pros do!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Drum Kit in the Modern Classroom and on Stage
Funded Feb 12, 2013Thank you for your outpouring of support for our students. I am constantly amazed by their energy and creative spirit. This instrument will open the doors to many students and may be the gateway for some to begin the craft of learning an instrument. I will teach the students some simple patterns and connect those patters with periods in musical history- reinforcing their ear and the way they listen to popular music. I plan to use the drumset in performance by the end of the school year.
Your kindness and generosity is reflected in the strength of your youth. Thank you again for advocating for the arts in our schools. It is my privilege to be a part of these children's musical journey and I am so thrilled to be able to offer them relevant musical experiences to enhance their foundation.
As friends of our music department, please spread the word that the final grant for this classroom this year is live and has a special dollar-for-dollar match program until this Friday, February 15th. The code word at checkout is "HEART" and all donations made to "Theremin in the Music Classroom" will be automatically doubled by a generous donor team.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Looping, Listening And Learning!
Funded Mar 23, 2012I want to thank each and every one of your for your generous contribution to the technological update for our school. The looping machine is already hooked up in the music room and this fall, students will use the looper to create self reliant music or choose to work with others in live recording sessions. The access to new technological equipment gives students the opportunity to practice timeless musical exercises with a twenty first century twist. I have programmed loop machine activities for kindergarten up through 8th grade and outstretched to the community at large.
With earnest gratitude,”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Guitars as Vehicles for Student Creativity!
Funded Feb 23, 2012WOW! The acoustic electric bass is a great addition to our instruments. Students can explore bass lines in ear training and jam 'unplugged' (which is preferred in our classroom with a great number of musicians!)
The funding of new guitars for our program rejuvenated kids to want an instrument to practice at home! In a disposable society, students are less and less interested in caring for and cultivating a relationship with any item, let alone a musical instrument. Having precious practice time with the guitars has proven to me that kids still want responsibility and most of them crave the opportunity to care for an instrument.
I am thrilled that you took the time and care to support our music program. Just a note: The students performed a graduation mash-up using these guitars in early June... and now they're rockstars and off to high school!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Strings in the 21st Century Classroom!
Funded Jan 25, 2012Thank you so very much for supporting a strings program in our school. This past year, the electric violin debuted in our spring musical! The amplifier is sensitive so we are able to infuse the electric violin in various smaller string ensembles. The lap steel guitar was an absolute hit! We used it in a performance of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" and a student who would have never played a traditional guitar wailed on the lap steel. The Talman acoustic electric guitar has given many students a performance outlet. Student bands are once again on the rise! Thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Technology, Music, Improvisation: Growing Minds For The Future!
Funded Dec 4, 2011Thank you for donating MIDI keyboards to my classroom. Keyboard theory is a building block for young musicians and having electronic pianos gives kids the opportunity to explore, create and compose. Students of varied skill level are enjoying time at lunch or recess, before and after school. My next challenge is creating a space for students to be able to independently practice and be supervised while I am teaching my classes. The keyboards will be used in my class version of "MIDI 101" in the spring- where they will be used as synthesizers, or compositional tools. Your contribution is a daily blessing here. I can't thank you enough for your generosity.
Fondest regards,
Miss Courtney Bullen”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Advanced African Drumming for the General Music Classroom
Funded Aug 19, 2011Since the percussion instruments have arrived at my school, students have been learning traditional rhythms. The students are beginning to set contemporary songs to these these patterns and the fusion of world and pop music is really proving to be much more than an exercise. Having appropriately sized instruments has encouraged students to practice more. Individually, their confidence is growing and I can feel our group drumming dynamic deepening as a result. In the future, a soundproof practice room would give kids the access during lunch recess to express themselves through hand drums. Thank you for your generosity, support, and dedication to widening the scope of music education in schools like ours.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
Recorders for K-4 Students in the Instrumental Program!
Funded May 4, 2011We are so grateful for your generosity!
These electric colored recorders sure have created a lot of buzz around the school! Students are absolutely thrilled when they put them in their hands. I have built them a special rack so that the instruments can be properly displayed and stored in the classroom. The sound of these instruments fills up the room, and widens the smiles on children's faces. My students have begun to compose melodies on their own! We use performance in the classroom to cover all sorts of repertoire and reinforce music literacy. I encourage kids to create a personal relationship with music and to keep the energy high when learning new things. Improvisation is playing a much larger role this year in my teaching and I am thrilled to be able to keep honing my craft while watching these seeds grow at my new school!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen
African Drumming in the General Music Classroom
Funded Feb 28, 2011This project is now thriving at our school. I have seen the biggest transformation in the 9 and 10 year olds. We now have some pretty fantastic drummers in addition to the scores of kids helped and relaxed by the in-class drumming. A poll at the end of the marking period confirmed that students are relieved by the community drumming! It pleases me to review the grant and also feel the direct impact your generosity has had on my students. Now, at lunch and any time before or after school a student can come into my room to have a break from the stress and pressure of life, school or home. They can grab a drum ( they choose the one that can speak their voice) and have a musical outlet that they feel totally comfortable on! My students are eating it up and challenging me to write for some larger drums for the older students too! Thank you for helping me to serve them; the inspiration goes both ways. I hope you feel the beating drum of karma coming your way!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bullen