Project Grant - Round 1

The goals are for students grades K-12 to master musical and dramatic material, ranging in complexity based on the student's age and experience levels, with the goal of presenting a series of performances in one day, which carry out a Renaissance theme, during a Renaissance themed event. The performances will be primarily musical, but the event will incorporate instrumental music from local artists as well as elements of movement, dance, and dramatic performance. Outcomes: 1. To create arts education and arts performance opportunities for grades K-12. For younger students in grades K-5, this will encompass the following additional goals: 2. Students will learn about the Renaissance era, the historical period, and the key performers and composers who were alive at this time, and what other forms of art and entertainment from this era were like. 3. Students will be introduced to how to recognize and perform Renaissance-era music. For older choirs, grades 6-12, the following outcomes are desired: 4. That students understand teamwork and team dynamics by performing musical repertoire, including traditional and period pieces that require exact listening and harmonizing. 5. For choir groups to gain further understanding of singing and style by performing a variety of musical selections that will expand their knowledge of proper singing techniques, including how different musical styles are approached differently from a technical perspective. 6. That older students gain further understanding of musical harmony and music theory through the practice and performance of multi-part musical selections for this project. This requires refinement of listening skills to discern proper balance of parts. 7. Another outcome for all ages is that students realize the fulfillment of their efforts and gain enjoyment through presenting their music and their prepared pieces for their families, friends, and members of the community. Other outcomes for community, audience: To create and offer to the community an interactive audience and performer experience--to move beyond the passive viewing experience of a traditional choral concert and bring a more interactive level of artistic appreciation to the audience members and to the performers.Outcome 1: This outcome is achieved by the weekly training schedule for each choral group, and by the culminating performance opportunity on December 15, 2012. Younger choirs enjoy weekly class time of approximately 1 hour per week, plus additional artistic class time to prepare props and decor for the coming performance. The K-5 choirs have a minimum of 12 hours of class time, not including the prop preparatory times. They also have up to six hours of additional rehearsal time as needed as the Renaissance Event approaches. The older choirs, grades 6-12 have approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours per week of class time during the 12 weeks in preparation for this project, with a possible extra 6 to 8 hours of extra rehearsal schedule on the week of the performance. Outcome 2: Evaluation for outcome 2, for K-5 choirs will be done informally, by asking questions about what they have learned and asking them to share information about the Renaissance period that they remember talking about during classes and rehearsals. The director will play some listening examples of other Renaissance music and ask students questions to assess their knowledge. Outcome 3: Assessment of stylistic details and understanding will be done during rehearsals and during the performances to determine how well the singers have understood those stylistic concepts. Outcome 4: For older choirs, this outcome is assessed by the directors by dialogue with students, by musical exactness and audience response during performances. Outcome 5: the assessment of choirs is made by the directors on the basis of how much improvement there is in their singing and interpretation during the rehearsal and performance periods. Outcome 6. The evaluation of this outcome is made by the directors by constant verbal feedback and critique during rehearsals. Outcome 7. This assessment comes through the process and enjoyment of performing, and the beneficial feedback of audience and guest. Outcome 8: The evaluation of our interactive artistic experience comes through the reaction of our families, community members, and guests, as well as assessment of the performers and students as to the success of the event.