International Baccalaureate Program

Educating for Excellence

 

Rigor + Relevance + Relationships = Educational Excellence

MYP in the Classroom

Corning Free Academy

MYP Unit Seriously Strings Collaboration

Instructors CFA 6th grade team teachers

In Spring 2007, 175 sixth grade students at Corning Free Academy (CFA) participated in a special program in partnership with professional musicians from the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. In an integrated Middle Years Program (MYP) unit connecting Language A (English), Art and Music, the students explored classical music and served as curators of an original artistic experience.

During the learning experience, entitled “Seriously Strings,” students made every decision about the performance, learning that great knowledge is not needed to enjoy classical music. The project was made possible through The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) Music Laboratory, a program which teaches empowerment and active listening, and debunks age-old myths about “musical expertise.” The Corning Free Academy program culminated with a free public concert in the school auditorium, in which the pieces chosen by the students were performed by a string quartet of OSFL professional musicians.

Early in the project’s timeline, students were presented with six pieces of music to consider. Following critical listening exercises, the student body voted to choose the following three pieces to be included in the concert: Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 11 by Antonio Vivaldi, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin. Students then engaged in research as they prepared for writing the concert program. They interviewed performing musicians, and conducted research in the library and online. In the final stage of the curricular unit, the students wrote all program notes and performer biographies. Art classes finalized designs, and students worked with Ms. Szychulski to prepare promotional materials including press releases. Additional promotional efforts included concert posters hung throughout the school, and coverage in the school newspaper.

“‘Seriously Strings,’ is a unique interdisciplinary curricular unit that incorporates unique musical assignments into the existing curriculum, bringing together Quantum Leap’s Three Rs of Rigor, Relevance and Relationships in meaningful ways for our students,” says CFA Art teacher Shari Holland. “In addition, it reinforces the interconnections between subject areas that are integral to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.”