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Composers-in-the-Schools Residency Program
Composers-in-the-Schools is an educational initiative that brings composers
and poets into Philadelphia public schools to teach fourth to eighth grade students to write their own poetry and set it to music. The Art Alliance has
implemented these residencies at 3 schools in or near our target area during the spring semester of 2005. At each school, an Art Alliance poet and
composer worked with a group of students once a week for six weeks. In collaboration with the school's music teacher, they taught students to write
and perform their own songs. Each residency culminated with a final student performance for families, friends, and the school community.
The Philadelphia Art Alliance is planning to implement this project next year and seeks interest from middle schools. This project is important for
many reasons. First, its interdisciplinary nature will enable students to strengthen both their academic and musical skills. Though students will
begin by writing poetry with the Art Alliance poet, they will be considering the possibilities of music as well as language as they are doing it.
Likewise, when students are composing music, they will be thinking about how to use musical expression to heighten verbal expression. By using words and
music together, students will strengthen both their verbal and musical skills.
Second, by writing, composing, and performing their own songs, students will learn to follow a creative process through many steps. From writing,
editing, and choosing a poem to all the many steps involved in writing music for it, students will see how each step leads to the next one. They will
learn when to brainstorm without judgment, when to edit with a critical eye, and which of these things they should do when. These skills are
invaluable, and can be applied to all of their other fields of study.
Third, creating a performance together teaches students teamwork. Some students will write songs for one voice, and other will write songs for a
group of voices in harmony. Some songs will have accompaniment, either on rhythm instruments, Orff instruments, piano, or the orchestral instruments
students are learning to play. In addition to writing their own songs, students will also work together to perform each other's songs. In the
process of negotiating performance groups, learning each other's songs, rehearsing, and performing together, students will learn crucial social
skills that will serve them in any arena.
Fourth, by meeting resident composers and poets, and by writing and composing themselves, students will be able to draw a connection between
themselves and other poets and composers in history. Many students will never have met a living composer or poet before, and probably think of them
as people who lived a long time ago. Working with these professionals to write and perform their own songs will teach students they too can be
creators. It will also give them a new appreciation of other poets' and composers' works.
Fifth, resident poets and composers can become important role models for students. Seeing accomplished professionals in these fields and realizing
they are ordinary people will give students something to aspire to. It may also help students think more broadly about their own career possibilities.
Finally, completing this kind of long-term creative project successfully heightens students' self-esteem. Creating their very own songs from scratch
is quite an accomplishment for students. Presenting their work in a concert in which it receives the same level of respect as the work of established
composers is a strong validation. This kind of experience can help students take themselves seriously as creative individuals who can truly make an
artistic contribution.
The Philadelphia Art Alliance is excited about the Composers-in-the-Schools initiative. We look forward to bringing this unique educational opportunity
to Philadelphia students next year. If you are interested, please contact our offices at 215.545.4302 or email
smckinney@philartalliance.org.
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