Arts Programs are Flourishing
at Forest Area
The
Art and Music Departments within the Forest Area Schools District work
diligently each year to expose our students to a variety of opportunities and
experiences within these areas. The 2006-2007 school year has certainly been
filled with many musical and artistic endeavors for our students. This issue of
Education Matters features the learning activities happening within the
music and art departments at both East and West Forest Schools.
Art Department News
The
Forest Area Art Department has been busy this past year experiencing new
techniques and learning what it is to be an “artist”.
The
East Forest art students had the opportunity to be part of an “artist in
residence” program. Mr. Dave Poulin worked with the students to create a clay
sculpture of one of the elementary students. The students learned the process
that a sculpture artist goes through to create a bronze sculpture. They are
anxiously awaiting the arrival of the completed bronze sculpture this coming
fall.
The
West Forest High School art students will have an opportunity to work with an
artist in residence in the next school year. The plans are to have a jewelry
artist work with the students. The program should prove to be a great learning
experience also.
The
elementary art students on both sides of the district have been on a “Cruise
through Time.” They began the year in the Prehistoric period and are finishing
the year with Egyptian art. Each time period allows the students to understand
the art work of each time period and how the artist inspires artists today.
East Forest Music
At
East Forest Elementary School, students in grades kindergarten through sic are
preparing for their spring show “All You Need is Love”, featuring the music of
the Beatles. Students and audience members are encouraged to dress in 60’s
style clothing. This show ill be held on May 17, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. in the
gymnasium.
At
the junior high level, seventh grade students are completing the study of
historical time periods in music and beginning a unit on reading music and
composition. They will learn to read notes on a staff and play those notes on a
piano keyboard. They will also write their own short melody and input it into
the computer so that it can be played back for the class. Then, individual
projects will be combined to form one large composition. Eighth grade students
are studying the music and culture of the Orient. These students are also using
wikis to complete collaborative research projects. Completed projects will be
creatively presented through the use of music and drama.
Ninth
grade students are currently completing music industry projects. Groups of
students are participating in a project involving budgeting, music arranging,
lyric writing, recording, video planning, production, and editing.
In
junior high band, students are working on composition projects. Students work
in pairs to write two part compositions for their individual instruments. These
projects will be entered into the computer, transposed, printed, and performed
by the band. Senior high band students are preparing individual solos for an
in-class recital. They are studying practice techniques, concert etiquette, and
the management of stage fright.
Junior
high chorus students are preparing duets for in-class presentations. In order
to prepare for the duets, they must study rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, style
and expression. The senior high chorus is developing an album of original
songs. The theme is “War”. The completed album will include the song “Unsung
Heroes”, as well as many original songs. The final album will be sent to
friends and family members currently serving the Armed Forces.
All East Forest music, band, and choral activities are under the direction of
music teacher Mrs. Elisha Pospisil.
West Forest Music
Program
At
West Forest School, Music Director Mr. Brian Rosen has been working to educate
students at all grade levels about choral and instrumental music. This occurs
through the year of a variety of instruments as well as innovative technology.
At
the elementary level, students perform two musicals per year. Technology is
utilized at every grade level through the use of “palm pilots”. These devices
contain music software designed to improve music reading, hearing, and theory
skills. In addition, West Forest Elementary students have the opportunity to
use a variety of musical instruments from around the world.
In
grades kindergarten and one, students are focusing on “the joy of music”, concentrating
on singing with the use of game songs. These students are using rhythmic
instruments to develop rhythmic coordination.
Students
in grade two are beginning to learn basic music theory. They are discussing
pitch, note names, and rhythmic notation. Meanwhile, third grade students are
being introduces to instrumental music using recorders. Then the students in
fourth grade continue to focus on their previously learned skills and concepts,
with an emphasis on musical theatre and performance. In addition, elementary
band begins in fourth grade.
At
the fifth grade level, the major focus is in musical notation through the use
of electronic keyboards and piano method books to develop skills. Elementary
chorus is also introduced in grade five.
Sixth
grade students have the opportunity to utilize the guitar as their primary
instructional tool. It is used to develop coordination skills, music reading
skills, and physical dexterity of the fingers and hands.
At
the secondary level, student may take band, chorus, or both throughout grades
seven through twelve. Two concerts are held each year, which contain a wide
variety of music in both style and time period.
All
ninth grade students take general music. This course is divided into three main
sections: music theory, music history, and music business.
West
Forest High School also offers the extra-curricular Drama Club. This club
produces annual musicals. Since 2002, Drama Club has produced the following musicals:
2002 –
“Little Shop of Horrors”
2003 –
“Grease”
2004 –
“Snoopy”
2005 –
“The Wiz”
2006 –
“Working”
2007 –
“Bye, Bye, Birdie”
The
arts are a wonderful opportunity for the students to express themselves in ways
that other disciplines cannot. If you have the opportunity to visit the art
displays during the month of May at the various concerts throughout the
district, you will be amazed at what the students can create!
