MLHS’ Haydn to Hip Hop class takes lead in March’s ‘Music In Our Schools’ celebration
It is said that music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination – and life to everything.
Or . . . to express those same thoughts – but in just two words – “Music Inspires.”
In fact, that is the national theme for this year’s “Music in Our Schools Month,” a nationally-recognized 31-day event held each March.
“Music In Our Schools Month” is the National Association for Music Educator’s (NafME) annual celebration that engages music educators, students and communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools.
It all began as a single statewide Advocacy Day and celebration in New York in 1973 – and grew over the decades to become a month-long celebration of school music in 1985.
The entire idea was the brainchild of NafME, which is among the world’s largest arts education organizations, and the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.
Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. NAfME’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.
Taking the lead in celebrating the music behind the inspiration of “Music In Our Schools Month” at Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) will be the Haydn to Hip Hop class students, whose instructor is the school’s Director of Bands, Andrea Brinkman.
And this class of students has been busy planning a month chock full of activities. Each week of March has been denoted with a special musical “assignment,” with events related to that week’s leitmotif highlighted during that time frame.
+ Week #1 – Sports Week; How music inspires in athletics.
+ Week #2 – Throwback Week; How music inspires memories.
+ Week #3 – Creativity Week; How music inspires creativity. This week’s main activity will focus on hall decorating. Each class (grades 7-12) have been assigned a music genre to highlight with related decor in their class hallway. Those assignments are: seniors – EDM (techno electronic), juniors – Jazz, sophomores – Rock, freshmen – Pop, eighth-grade – Hip Hop and seventh grade – Country.
+ Week #4 – Spirit Week; How music inspires in patriotic or school spirit.
+ Week #5 – Dance Week; How music inspires dance. The central activity for this week will be a “Simon Says Dance-Off” contest.
Other dates to be aware of during March include:
+ Wednesday, March 9 – Large Group Contest at Red Rock Central for Senior High Band and Choir students.
+ Monday, March 21 – Junior/Senior High Band/Choir Concert, beginning at 7 p.m., in the school auditorium.
+ Senior High Band and Senior High Choir trip to Denver, Colorado; Wednesday, March 23 to Saturday, March 26.
As the music month of March ends – and April begins – the music doesn’t stop. The Student Talent Show will take to the auditorium stage on Friday, April 1, performances kicking off at 7 p.m. A trio of judges will critique and award the talents presented, as well as acts shared by each high school class in the “Clash of the Classes.” In between the acts, the Haydn to Hip Hop class (and perhaps some high school teachers) will add to the festivities with their own music-inspired performances. All of the student participants in the talent show will receive free admission to the School Dance, which will immediately follow the show.
Another project being undertaken by the Haydn to Hip Hop class is the filming and production of a video collage of interviews of a wide spectrum of individuals sharing how they are inspired by music.
Check back for more definitive articles as various event days draw closer, as well as posts on the activities themselves after they are held.
