The Essential Question that guided our projects’ focus was:
How can students make meaningful connections and develop their musicianship?
Throughout the week, students will embody several anchor standards. Below are the anchor standards that the Summer Institute focuses on:
Creating, Anchor Standard #2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Students work with faculty throughout the week, generating ideas and discovering the best way to convey meaning within their piece of music.
Performing/Producing, Anchor Standard #5: Develop and refine artistic work for presentation.
At the end of the week, students are given the opportunity to perform in the Jensen Concert Hall, debuting the piece that they will work on throughout the duration of the camp. The goal is to give students the opportunity to define for themselves what ‘concert ready’ means and how that shapes their preparation of the music.
Responding, Anchor Standard #7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Not only do students perform their works, they are part of the audience aspect during the week. Students have to go beyond what they are preparing and apply that knowledge to what they listen and see from other students and faculty members.
Connecting, Anchor Standard #10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.
The entire week is an opportunity for students to understand and comprehend music in a new and different way. Students and faculty immerse themselves into the theme of the week, creating deeper understanding within music.
At the conclusion of the project, students responded to questions related to the identified Standards:
As stated above, four main anchor standards drive the Institute and how music is created by, performed by, responded to, and connected to students throughout the week. As students respond to the camp, we take those responses to develop our approach to the Summer Institute so that the following year can include the most meaningful, and often most helpful, activities to continue their journey in music.
Even past the focus of music, building relationships is a fundamental part of what makes the Institute a success. The connections built throughout the week are a testament to maintaining a positive and healthy learning environment.
Impact
The focus on folk music throughout the week allowed students and faculty to have meaningful discussions on the impact this style of music has had throughout music history. Exploring folk music intensively allowed students to form stronger connections from their knowledge to the actual application of that knowledge. Students are not just playing music; they are building context and meaning behind what they are playing. These kinds of connections- cognitive, emotional- are what students take and use throughout the rest of their lives.
Reflection
We are starting to see the rewards of a strong, consistent program for students. Students come in knowing what to expect, and faculty have a better understanding of where to place a student for an optimal experience. The standards are continually being raised, from the quality of performances to the types of classes offered. Although there is still room for improvement, the model of the camp can accommodate changes without completely changing the foundations. Being objective about what worked and what didn’t work allows us to anticipate our needs and be more prepared for next year. Continuing to communicate clearly and work as an effective faculty team will further raise the set standards and provide students with a positive, rewarding experience.
