Programs for Students  >  Grades K-6  >
HISTORY, SOCIAL STUDIES & MILLENIUM PERSPECTIVES

"THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN":
MUSIC OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Grades 4-6
2 performing/teaching artists - 3 presentations/day
$475 + $350 + $225= $1050

Yankee Doodle comes to town with this exciting, hands-on program which gives students insights into the causes and attitudes of the various participants of the American Revolutionary War. Through performances on the piccolo and the drum, our performing artists help students understand the role which music and musicians played in this historic conflict. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to participate by experiencing a day in the life of a soldier. They learn various military drum beats and what they meant, march to the beat of the drum and sing along with the artists. This program fits particularly well with the social studies curriculum in fourth grade.

We also offer programming on the Civil War; see programs for students 7-12 on our website for a full description.

THE AMERICAN SPIRITUAL FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Grades K-3
1 performing/teaching artist plus an accompanist - 3 presentations/day
$450 + $300 + $175= $925

This exhilarating, enjoyable program introduces children to the origin of the American Spiritual and recounts its influence on American musical culture. Children begin to understand the African American slave experience through the language and emotion of the spiritual. The program is a joyful mix of conversation, singing and group participation designed to spark student interest in an old musical art form that has deep significance in American Black History. For the very youngest groups, the accent is on exposure to the famous American Spirituals with emphasis on student participation.

THE AMERICAN SPIRITUAL: JOURNEY OF HOPE AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Grades 4-6
1 performing/teaching artist plus an accompanist - 3 presentations/day
$450 + $300 + $175= $925

"Life is about hope," this is the message of the American Spiritual. This enlightening and uplifting program chronicles the origin of the spiritual in the slave culture of America and recounts the enduring influence of the spiritual as a powerful catalyst for both social and cultural change in American history. The program is a joyful mix of conversation, singing and group participation designed to spark student interest in an old musical art form that has deep significance in American Black History.  Performers and students also discuss the power of music in our lives today and the importance of their own hopes, dreams and aspirations.  The importance of believing in oneself and following one’s dreams is underscored both musically and in conversation.

OF COLOR & COURAGE

Grades 5-6
1 performing/teaching artist plus an accompanist- 3 presentations/day
$450 + $300 + $175= $925

This program is about role models for life and the "whole-life skills" young people need to build a healthy sense of self, to rise to their aspirations and find strength within. The program documents the lives of dozens of outstanding Americans of color whose stories of courage point the way to high motivation, advanced education and worthy life goals.  Based on research assignments prepared by students on men and women of color in America.

"A MESSAGE TO THE FUTURE": Creating a Time Capsule

Grades 4-8
2 performing/teaching artists - 3 presentations/day
$475 + $350 + $225= $1050

As we imagine exciting visions of possible futures, we come face to face with some important questions. "Who are we and how are we changing as people and as a planet?" "What would we tell future generations about ourselves and the way we live?" "What are we most proud of?" "What are our hopes for the future?" This program will help students and teachers to think creatively about big questions like these, and to create their own multi-disciplinary Time Capsule. Students will begin by imagining opening a time capsule from an age long past—from the prehistoric Age of Cave Drawings or the invention of the first alphabet. Then, guided by our teaching artists, students will conduct research and creative questioning via music, art, science, history, perspectives from elders and peers, and the power of their own imaginations. Live performances, artifacts and brainstorming will energize the process.

Recommended as a 2-part series: launching the time capsule project and celebrating and interpreting its completion.