Visit Minneapolis Institute of Art, Orchestra Hall
On Tuesday, November 29, Mountain Lake Christian (MLC) Elementary students in grades one-through-six had the opportunity to taste a sweet slice of the “Mini-Apple” – Minneapolis. While in the city, students and teachers toured the Minneapolis Institute of Art and experienced Orchestra Hall. Such a trip is taken by MLC elementary every two years.
At the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), students and staff were able to be stretched beyond their norms, learned about other cultures, gained an appreciation for the arts and expanded the curriculum of MLC beyond the school building’s walls. So many exhibits – and just one hour.
Highlights at the MIA included:
+ An Egyptian display of a sarcophagus, mummy and hieroglyphics.
+ Art depicting world religions, especially Hinduism.
+ Art work carved from jade.
+ Art by Georgia O’Keefe and Vincent Van Gogh.
+ Japanese pop art.
+ Pottery.
+ A Native American headdress.
+ A suit of armor.
At Orchestra Hall, those on the field trip immersed themselves in the musical story, Peter and the Wolf, as part of the Young People’s Concert. Sergei Prokofiev, a Russian and Soviet Union composer, pianist and conductor, gave the world a gift when he wrote the musical story Peter and the Wolf. It was brought vividly to life by the Minnesota Orchestra and actors who are alumni of Theatre de la Jeune Lune.
Those in the audience could recognize the personality of each character within the music – sprightly strings for the adventurous boy Peter, a bassoon for his stern Grandfather and other instruments for the fluttering Bird (flute), the waddling Duck (oboe), the creeping Cat (clarinet), the Hunters (woodwinds and trumpets, with gunshots on timpani and bass drum) and the strong, stealthy Wolf (French horns).
Prior to the trip, Aaron Petersen, MLC Music Teacher, prepared the students in music class for the orchestral story. He introduced students to the musical themes for each character and the instrumentation used. He also had them watch and listen to other orchestral performances of the story. Students were prepared to watch and listen. Also performed was a song done by a woodwind quintet.
Below are some photos of the busy Tuesday:
