Professional Documents
Culture Documents
03/20/2015
Arts in the Elementary School
(tcmupstate.org)
I am a true believer of Music Therapy and its ability to bring people together. Being in
that exhibit and playing with all the different instruments made me felt so good. The best part
was playing with my classmates. There were some of them I never spoke to, but just having the
musical interaction with them gave me a chance to get to know them a little. Andrea Evdemon
and I rarely communicate in class, but we had a blast playing the xylophones together. I learn
that she was a fun person to be around just by creating music together.
The Garage Rock Exhibit had an instrument where you can make beats with and I learned
that my classmate Jordanne Harpster is great at it. She made three different types of beats in like
ten minutes. I told her she needs to be a music producer or a manger of a music company.
All those interactions were made through music. Music has a special way of bringing
people together and igniting creativity. My experience in the garage rock exhibit showed me
why music education and the arts are some important. Richard W. Riley, Former US Secretary of
Education said, I believe arts education in music, theater, dance, and the visual arts is one of the
most creative ways we have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface. They
(children) have an enthusiasm for life a spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations that need
training training that prepares them to become confident young men and women. This quote
by Richard W. Riley supports the importance of the arts. It supports how Jordanne Harpster who
is a well-educated young female created different styles of beats in just ten minutes.
Being a part of the Arts for Elementary Schools class has really showed me how the arts
can be integrated into classes and how it can really be fun. There were many times I was
challenge to be creative and step out of my comfort zone, but by doing that I know I will be a
successful teacher. My garage rock experience reminded me of a lesson that my Professor taught
one day. Dr. Leonard had the class to act out a poem. It involved dancing, moving, making noises
(music), and acting. The poem was weird when I first read it, but when the class started to act it
out, so many creative ideas were brought to the table. I am not an actor, but I was so interested
and excited on how things were going, I stepped out my comfort zone and narrated a part of the
poem. That lesson was great, it brought all of us together to bring a poem to life. Even though
my experience at the museum in the garage rock was not as planned, it still produce the same
outcome. People collaborating by using their creative minds with the arts. Both experiences were
fun and presented an opportunity to get to know others.
Former President of the United States Gerald Ford said, Music education opens doors
that help children pass from school into the world around them a world of work, culture,
intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our
children with a complete education that includes music. Music corporates all the needed aspects
for students to be successful. The Childrens Museum of the Upstate really supports music
education, play, and education in general. I had a great experience and cannot wait to bring my
future students there to take heed to the many fun educational opportunities.
References
Garage Rock. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.tcmupstate.org/portfolioview/garage-rock/
Useful Quotes for Arts Advocates. (2010, January 1). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from
http://www.performingartsconvention.org/advocacy/id=28
Music & Education Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from
http://artdrum.com/MUSIC_EDUCATORS_QUOTES.HTM