CAB MINUTES: NOVEMBER 2018
Panel Discussion: Supporting Music Education in Schools and Communities
AGENDA ITEMS:
- Panel Discussion
- Q&A with Panel Members
- Public Comment
- Community Advisory Board Business
Panel Presentation: Supporting Music Programs in Schools & Communities
Moderator: Adam Wasserman, CAB Member & Former Vice Chair with
- Krystal Hawes, Project Coordinator, Community Engagement & Special Projects, WQXR \
- Stuart Holt, Director of School Programs / Community Engagement, Metropolitan Opera Guild
- Anthony Korf, Artistic Director, Riverside Symphony on the Music Memory Program
Krystal Hawes described WQXR school outreach program that works with two groups of Dakota musicians to bring classical music to underserved public schools. She shared a video which featured the work of Dakota and WQXR which can be viewed here. One of the goals for WQXR with this program is to plant seeds to grow the next generation of classical music listeners.
Stuart Holt described some of the many programs that the Metropolitan Opera Guild offers classrooms in public schools, In these programs, highly trained visiting artists, in close consultation with a school’s teachers and administrators, develop customized education programs that integrate opera and music into a school’s curriculum. These programs offer children a way to attend traditional opera performances and create a springboard for enjoying this art form. In an 18-week program, children create the words, music and costumes and then perform their opera. A video demonstrating program outcome was shown and can be seen here.
Anthony Korf described Riverside Symphony’s signature education program, Music Memory, for children in 3rd to 6th grade. This program is base on the Name That Tune TV show format. A new package of 64 classical pieces, 16 pieces for each of the 4 grades, every year. Teachers are trained in the program, and students then listen and learn to identify each of the musical pieces in their grade’s selected pieces. Every spring, the schools gather together in a friendly city-wide competition “to name that tune” as it is played live by the Riverside Symphony. A video demonstrating how the program works was shown and can be seen here.
A Q&A session, moderated by Adam Wasserman, followed the panel presentations. There was agreement on the elements needed for successful music programs. These include the need for the principal to be on board, the program to be fun and separated from the general curriculum, and for the music to be different from that which students hear daily on the radio/music apps. Challenges specific to NYC schools include 1) a particular program being tied to one teacher or principal, and when that person leaves, the program is often dropped and 2) many schools do not have the latest computer technology that would allow for streaming of various music education programs. In contrast, smaller school systems have the advantage of being able to direct schools to include these types of music programs. General concerns include being sure that the programs are not seen as being elitist. All students need to feel that they belong in music halls and arenas. Similarly, access to classical music venues is not often available given where students live and lack of resources. The meeting also included feedback from music professionals in attendance, including Chuck Vassallo, Director of Performing Arts, Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS), Amy Siegler from PPAS and National Chorale, and Nina Stern from S’cool Sounds, a hands-on drumming/performing school music education program. Many cited the importance of parental influence for engaging children in music and the arts.
Praise was expressed for WQXR’s ability to attract even the youngest listeners (toddlers) with their programming.PUBLIC COMMENTS on NYPR
COMMUNITY BOARD BUSINESS:
The CAB self-assessment survey was reviewed. An open text box will be added for comments and for responder’s name. Any recommended changes must be sent to Jake Wojnas or Donna Blank by DEC 5.
Once survey is finalized, Jake will set up a survey in a Google doc. And a link will be sent to all by mid-January with a request to complete survey by Feb 1. Chair Barbara Gerolimatos requested 100% participation. The results of the survey will be presented at the February 13th informal CAB meeting in NYPR 8th Floor Conference Room at 160 Varick. This type of panel format was a first in many years. The CAB assessment was that it was very successful. Nancy Walcott, a project manager by profession, offered to develop a template noting the successful elements to serve as a road map for future panels. Erica Johnson, Vice Chair, will set up an Outreach Committee meeting to discuss/select next topic. At least one additional panel (perhaps 2) will be planned for March/April/ May/ or June meeting. Other issues discussed included exploring how to fix listening difficulties for digital/virtual attendees and revising meeting announcements to include an invitation to the public to come and give feedback about NYPR.
NEXT MEETING DETAILS:
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Meeting: 6:30 PM, The Greene Space, 44 Charlton Street, New York (Google map)
Guest Host: Nancy Solomon, Managing Editor, NJ Public Radio
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CAB MEMBERS (ALPHABETICAL)
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