Arts in the Schools
Arts in the Schools
5th Grade Dulcimer Project with Ross Sutter
Cheri Buzzeo: theater, music, The Barn Theatre administration, Willmar Main St participant; Jessica Welu: writing, music, SW Regional Development Commission; Anna Johannsen: fiber artist, art teacher, Remick Gallery board, president of Windom Women's Investment group, treasurer of Cottonwood County Animal Rescue, officer of Cotton Quilters; Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher; David KelseyBassett: visual artist, musician, Hinterland Art Crawl board; Shawn Kinsinger: theater director, actor, musician, Palace Theatre executive director, Green Earth Players vice president, Luverne Street Music board member, Luverne High School Theater artistic director; Darlene Kotelnicki: theater, city council, library board. Kristen Kuipers: musician, private lesson and K-12 classroom music instructor, theater, writing, volunteer with Jackson Center for the Arts; Cheryl Avenel Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity Council volunteer; Alison Nelson: art, music, and dance teacher, KMS Community Ed director, Kerkhoven Fire Department Auxiliary fundraiser; Anne O'Keefe-Jackson: human resources director, bead and quill work; Michele Huggins: Granite Area Arts Council treasurer and volunteer, member of the Artisan Grain Collaborative, founding member of ACHALA; Betsy Pardick: musician, actor, Dept. of Public Transformation committees; Michele Knife Sterner: theater (actor), SMSU Associate director for Access Opportunity Success program; Louella Voigt: music, fiber art; Blue Mound Area Theatre board; Erica Volkir: performing arts, Pipestone Performing Arts Center board, Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB director; Janine Teske: music, theater, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley school board; Mark Wilmes: Lake Benton Opera House board president, actor/director, musician, reporter;
Reggie Gorter, music, education; Michele Huggins, SMAC board; Jeff Iverson, music, theater, education; Georgette Jones, theater, music, SMAC board SMAC board; Alison Nelson, music, theater, SMAC board; Lori Sieg, arts education
ACHF Arts Education
The project allows students to build their own melodic instrument. The instrument will be used in the regular music classes after the completion of the residency to give students more time to practice and learn. Students will get to keep their instrument at the end of the project. Students can use the dulcimer to play and create music. Because the dulcimer is an instrument the students created, there is more ownership and responsibility than with regular classroom instruments. YME School District does not have a string program, so playing the dulcimer provides a new musical experience they may not receive otherwise. Students are exposed to Scandinavian folk music they would not otherwise experience. Students will demonstrate their proficiency with their new dulcimers by playing both in a group and individually. The music teacher will gather feedback from students about the residency by having them create short reflection videos that explain what they learned and perform a song they can play.
All 51 5th grade students successfully built their very own dulcimer, and all were successful at playing their instrument. Even students who had no interest in playing an instrument loved building their own dulcimer. Many students memorized the music that Mr. Sutter taught them to play. Many also commented how proud they were because they made their own dulcimer and were even able to play it. Students also said it was challenging to play together while trying to maintain the tempo and rhythm. Our experience working with Ross Sutter is amazing. He did a great job engaging with the students while teaching them new skills. His knowledge of the dulcimer and ability to interact with the students throughout the dulcimer project is fun to witness and be involved in.