Past projects 10
One Heartbeat, One Soul
Funded Feb 14, 2019The three tubanos that we received are the beginning of our journey into World Music Drumming. Our school is in the rural Midwest and this will be an opportunity for students to experience the exotic sounds of African and South American cultures. I look forward to these lessons!
I have had experience with this curriculum in previous school districts and can attest to its aesthetic and musical qualities. The tunable tubanos have a tremendous sound and give immediate gratification to the player. The students work together to accomplish ensembles of layered rythyms. We spend a great deal of time listening closely to each other to achieve our goals.
Thank you for your donations and continued support.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by Herb Kohl Philanthropies and 4 other donors.Can You Hear Me Now?
Funded Apr 22, 2018We are so excited to use our new solo microphones for graduation. Last year our soloists stepped up to wireless microphones that cut in and out during the song. It was devastating for the seniors who wanted to shine in front of friends and family. The technology let us down.
These wired microphones will give us the confidence that our ensemble will be heard in the stuffed field house. Couple with some area microphones for the choir, the soloists will be adequately amplified on their special day.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
On the Road Again . . .
Funded Jan 26, 2018Our itinerary was packed with amazing adventures:
On Monday, April 2nd we departed Horlick High School at 5:30 a.m. via Jones Motor Coach stopping for lunch at Mug 'N Bun near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From there we participated in a Choir Clinic at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with Dr. Chris Albanese and the Singing Hoosiers. We shared "All My Heart This Night Rejoices" by Z. Randall Stroope, "Túrót esik a cigány" by Zoltan Kodaly, and "Ohtul" by Part Uusberg. On campus, we found an inviting dinner at Nick's English Hut in Bloomington (Known for their Stromboli's). Then it was back on Motor Coach to drive to Louisville, KY to check into our Hotel (Hampton Inn, downtown Louisville). Indoor pool time was enjoyed until curfew.
On Tuesday, April 3rd we enjoyed a Hampton Inn breakfast and headed out to our second Choir Clinic, this time at the University of Louisville with Dr. Kent Hatteberg. We workshopped "Unclouded Day" arr. by Shawn Kirchner, "My Old Kentucky Home" arr. by Mark Hayes, and "Ohtul" by Part Uusberg. Following this, the students lunched at the student union before we headed to the Mohammed Ali Center. From there, we returned to our hotel to refresh and primp for dinner and the musical "MAMA MIA" at the Derby Dinner Theatre.
On Wednesday, April 4th after breakfast at the hotel we traveled to Churchill Downs for a tour of the Track, Stables, and Museum. We even sang "My Old Kentucky Home" besides the racetrack where trainers were working out horses. We continued with a pizza party and underground Zip Lines at the Mega Caverns – what exhilaration! Then back to the hotel to refresh for our dinner at the Brown Hotel (Home of the Famous 'Hot Browns'). Indoor pool time was enjoyed until curfew.
On Thursday, April 5th, again following a Hampton Inn breakfast, we dressed warmly, and boarded the bus for Horseback riding at Whispering Woods Riding Stables in Georgetown, Kentucky. Picnic boxes were created by Panera. After a long day in the sun and mud, we returned to the hotel to get ready for our annual "Fancy Dinner." This year it was held at The Rivue Revolving Restaurant on the 25th floor of the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. Indoor pool time was enjoyed until curfew.
On Friday, April 6th we had to alter some plans due to a swollen Ohio River and the cancellation of our steamboat ride. After breakfast at the Hotel we traveled to Louisville Slugger Bat Museum where we watched bats being made. Boarding the Motor Coach to Indiana, we visited the Indianapolis Zoo. Temperatures plummeted from 51 degrees to a mere 29. Snow showers began as we departed for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, Indianapolis. Following this, we attended an amazing one man play "Looking Over The President's Shoulder" at the Indiana Repertory. We departed and drove back to Racine, WI arriving shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 7th.
I believe the students learn and experience a great many benefits to this type of travel. We grow as musicians as well as confident, positive human beings. Thank you for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 7 other donors.Home Away From Home
Funded Feb 2, 2018Our itinerary was packed with amazing adventures:
On Monday, April 2nd we departed Horlick High School at 5:30 a.m. via Jones Motor Coach stopping for lunch at Mug 'N Bun near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From there we participated in a Choir Clinic at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with Dr. Chris Albanese and the Singing Hoosiers. We shared "All My Heart This Night Rejoices" by Z. Randall Stroope, "Túrót esik a cigány" by Zoltan Kodaly, and "Ohtul" by Part Uusberg. On campus, we found an inviting dinner at Nick's English Hut in Bloomington (Known for their Stromboli's). Then it was back on Motor Coach to drive to Louisville, KY to check into our Hotel (Hampton Inn, downtown Louisville). Indoor pool time was enjoyed until curfew.
On Tuesday, April 3rd we enjoyed a Hampton Inn breakfast and headed out to our second Choir Clinic, this time at the University of Louisville with Dr. Kent Hatteberg. We workshopped "Unclouded Day" arr. by Shawn Kirchner, "My Old Kentucky Home" arr. by Mark Hayes, and "Ohtul" by Part Uusberg. Following this, the students lunched at the student union before we headed to the Mohammed Ali Center. From there, we returned to our hotel to refresh and primp for dinner and the musical "MAMA MIA" at the Derby Dinner Theatre.
On Wednesday, April 4th after breakfast at the hotel we traveled to Churchill Downs for a tour of the Track, Stables, and Museum. We even sang "My Old Kentucky Home" besides the racetrack where trainers were working out horses. We continued with a pizza party and underground Zip Lines at the Mega Caverns – what exhilaration! Then back to the hotel to refresh for our dinner at the Brown Hotel (Home of the Famous 'Hot Browns'). Indoor pool time was enjoyed until curfew.
On Thursday, April 5th, again following a Hampton Inn breakfast, we dressed warmly, and boarded the bus for Horseback riding at Whispering Woods Riding Stables in Georgetown, Kentucky. Picnic boxes were created by Panera. After a long day in the sun and mud, we returned to the hotel to get ready for our annual "Fancy Dinner." This year it was held at The Rivue Revolving Restaurant on the 25th floor of the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. Indoor pool time was enjoyed until curfew.
On Friday, April 6th we had to alter some plans due to a swollen Ohio River and the cancellation of our steamboat ride. After breakfast at the Hotel we traveled to Louisville Slugger Bat Museum where we watched bats being made. Boarding the Motor Coach to Indiana, we visited the Indianapolis Zoo. Temperatures plummeted from 51 degrees to a mere 29. Snow showers began as we departed for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, Indianapolis. Following this, we attended an amazing one man play "Looking Over The President's Shoulder" at the Indiana Repertory. We departed and drove back to Racine, WI arriving shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 7th.
I believe the students learn and experience a great many benefits to this type of travel. We grow as musicians as well as confident, positive human beings.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
An Adventure in Music
Funded Jun 7, 2017Thank you for the two ChromeBooks you helped purchase. This brings our count six ChromeBooks in the General Music class. As you can see from the photos, I could use a few more and will be writing more grants. I have two desktop computers but they are not connected to the internet.
The ChromeBook technology will provide an opportunity for self-paced theory lessons – students will work on the unknown and move past concepts they know. Sites like MusicTheory.net provide tutorials and exercises for assessment. The best part is that this software is free!
The students were excited to be the first to use them and we look forward to learning.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 3 other donors.Music Makes Kids Smarter!
Funded Feb 8, 2017My students utilize the two ChromeBooks to access sites about choral music and composers throughout history, listen to concert repertoire, and view choral public domain sheet music. The laptops are used for independent study; students watch video examples of superior choirs to find best practices in choral production. Hearing and watching performances of multicultural world music will broaden their listening skills and create empathetic, global thinkers.
I am currently researching specialized software so the students will practice written music theory lessons and experience aural training or create original compositions.
Thank you again for your generosity towards my students. You help to fill in the gaps of teaching in a large, urban school district.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 2 other donors.Technology and Music – A Perfect Match
Funded Jan 22, 2017The chrome books that I have received for my classroom (a total of four between two Donors Choose grants) will assist the students in finding information about choral music and composers throughout history. There are apps and software that I am currently researching for purchase. This software will enhance my rehearsals, by offering music theory lessons and games - unfortunately, the MUSIC ACE software I own, is not compatible. These chrome books still provide wonderful windows into the wide world of choral music, and students can see best practices in the repertoire that they are preparing. And, I am grateful for the support!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 33 other donors.Drum Circle of Peace
Funded Sep 6, 2016Today the drums arrived during freshmen girls' choir! They couldn't stay away, so we opened them and began to play "Banuwa" with drumming, singing, and dancing. It was a great moment of team building that happened quite organically.
The Drums will be used primarily in our 9-12th grade, semester long General Music Classes. I will utilize the World Drumming Curriculum by Will Schmid, published by Hal Leonard. The drums will teach pacing and playing together. The students will listen to each other, while playing themselves, to build complex rhythmic patterns.
My next step will be to figure out how to store all of these great drums safely to preserve their quality - what a great problem to have!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
"Lefties" Rule!
Funded May 21, 2016One new "left handed" guitar will be added to the 13 guitars previously funded by Donors Choose (and other grants) in our high school general music class. This class works on piano for five weeks and then guitar for five weeks in an A/B 90 minute block rotation. Second semester, there will be a new set of students.
The students are always eager to handle the guitars. As I was taking these pictures, they could not contain their curiosity and began strumming. The "left handed" guitar will come in handy for the student in the room that cannot communicate chords to his/her left hand.
The beginning guitar series by Dr. Will Schmid is our curriculum of choice. Using digital tuners, each student will be responsible for tuning his/her instrument at the beginning of class. The students will be proficient on 7 guitar chords: C, G, D7, G7, Em, Am, D, A7. Using the capo, we will discover more "singable" ranges for certain songs. In the past, I have had the General Music students perform a few guitar songs on the end of the semester Choir concert.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 6 other donors.Heart Strings
Funded Dec 29, 2014It is with deep gratitude that I write of the successes in my general music class. I am grateful because your donations have assisted me in purchasing five new guitars with cases, tuners, capos, picks, shoulder straps, and music strands. Our previous equipment was originally purchased in the 1970s!
I can also tell you that I received an additional grant from the Kids First Fund and was able to purchase an additional three guitars with cases.
Hands on music programs benefit the students in these ways:
Research suggests that regularly playing an instrument (©EffectiveMusicTeaching.com):
1. Increases the capacity of your memory.
2. Refines your time management and organizational skills.
3. Boosts your team skills.
4. Teaches you perseverance.
5. Enhances your coordination.
6. Betters your mathematical ability.
7. Improves your reading and comprehension skills.
8. Increases your responsibility.
9. Exposes you to cultural history.
10. Sharpens your concentration.
11. Fosters your self-expression and relieves stress.
12. Creates a sense of achievement.
13. Promotes your social skills.
14. Boosts your listening skills.
15. Teaches you discipline.
In conclusion, thank you for your generous contribution.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. C.
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose.org Team and 18 other donors.