ARTZ OUT LOUD

Arts Integration for Total Learning

presents

An American Tapestry: The Story of  ‘Freedom for All’ through Music and Art

 Residency and Symphony Concert

In School Residency: The World Turned Upside Down: Music and Stories of the American Revolution

Culminating in a Performance with Orchestra: Falling Down Doodle

Students demonstrate their perspective and learnings about the Revolution

In The World Turned Upside Down students experience the true test of democracy, the civic responsibility of personal thought and analysis during in-school visits. Throughout 1765-1781 people had to choose: would they be Patriot or Loyalist, would they fight for a whole new world or remain with the safety of what had always been? Throughout The World Turned Upside Down, students laugh, feel the tension of choice, see courageous, persevering people of character such as George Washington and Henry Knox come alive through their peers, and ultimately cheer the victory at Yorktown. The synergy of ARTZ OUT LOUD’s music, drama, movement and visual art program land knowledge of this world changing piece of history on the truest learning ground–emotions.

In Falling Down Doodle, the theme of perspective continues with ARTZ OUT LOUD artists in concert with Symphony. The orchestra sets the stage with brass and percussion creating the tension and ambiguity of this Revolutionary time along with a dissonant fragment of London Bridge is Falling Down. Waiting in the back of the hall are fully uniformed Revolutionary ARTZ OUT LOUD artists with fife and drum. After a grand pause, the artists march to the stage playing Yankee Doodle. Students respond with great delight; they know the artists from the school visits! The orchestra joins in with Yankee but soon finds that the mighty brass and percussion signal the most recognized landmark of the British, London Bridge. The ARTZ OUT LOUD artists switch to flute and piano as the persistent, and unavoidable victory of Yankee Doodle and freedom concludes this engaging 5-minute piece.

Continuing the American theme, also available for ARTZ OUT LOUD and orchestra are The Ulster-Scots: Voyage of Hope and the Johnny Appleseed Suite.

Click here to download the Quick Study Guide (2 pages) An American Tapestry: The Story of  ‘Freedom for All’ through Music and Art

Click here to download the complete Study Guide (Altoona Symphony Residency Notes – Study Guide Materials for Young People’s Concert – Teacher’s Notes)

Clicke here for Conductor Instrumentation and Timings.

Click here for news article, student video, and to sample some songs.

Click here for Altoona Symphony Orchestra letter of recommendation for ARTZ OUT LOUD

What teachers and students are saying about the American Freedom program:

You provided the students with a rich opportunity to experience in fun and interactive ways how music and history have come together to shapeAmerica, and how music has influenced our understanding of ourselves as Americans. Your keen integration of music with stories of our collective past, and your use of costume and instruments popular in early America – from the triangle to the fife and penny-whistle – provided all of us with a vision of just how important a role music has played in the history of our nation and the shaping of our national images and narrative.
~J. Wright, Myers Elementary School Music Teacher

[You are] the best. I loved how you played the flute and piano. And I loved your outfits they were really cool. I hope you can come again next year!
~ Kaitlyn, Myers Elementary School student

There was a lot of happy clapping in the Tennessee Williams theatre the morning of November 15, 2012….students were rapt with the music—their first live orchestra concert….The oohing and aahing and pointing, clapping, tapping and conducting were a joy to watch.  We got goosebumps knowing that more than a few lives were changed that morning.
~ S. Woods, Board member, Florida Keys Council of the Arts

This was the first time I have been a part of this and I still can’t get the images of the children’s looks of joy out of my mind.  Donna and Joy met them in the hall with fife and snare drum and the kids marched right into the TW!  They made the music come alive.
~ Executive Director, SFSO

Click here for more reviews on American Freedom!

For questions, additional information, and to book, contact Donna

topformdrw(at)aol.com

(407) 492-8876

donnawissinger.com/contact-us