FreshStARTs

Didgeridoo Down Under: Grades K-12

The DDU show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, art, comedy, character building and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years and is known for its otherwordly sound. A master didgeridoo performer will play a variety of exotic didgeridoos and world percussion instruments throughout the show. The artist will weave cultural arts, cross-curriculum, character education and audience participation into an interactive, educational and highly entertaining program for both elementary and middle schools.

DDU will inspire your students to-
… appreciate world music and art.
… respect multiculturalism and diversity.
… think creatively and imaginatively.
… act with kindness and acceptance.
… protect the environment.
… become better global citizens.
… have superb fun!

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

Drum Sermons: Grades K-12 

Drum Sermons is a joyous celebration of music performed by Orisirisi African Folklore that recounts its origin and makes clear how music came to live in our hearts. This informative yet entertaining African adventure is inclusive of stories from the far corners of the African continent, spirited drumming, dance, and song, drumming instruction, an introduction to some of Africa’s most popular instruments, and a celebratory unity “jam” featuring students and faculty alike, in keeping with the obligatory African tradition of total audience participation.Presented by Don Harrell.

Availability: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

Journey Through Jazz: Grades K-12

Daniel Jordan teaches students about the development and history of America’s truly original musical art form: Jazz. Using a variety of woodwind instruments, he demonstrates Blues, Ragtime, Dixieland, Swing, Be-bop, Bossa Nova, Samba, Calypso, AfroCuban, Modal, Free, and Fusion styles of Jazz. This presentation is highly inventive, entertaining, and interactive. Students can participate by “jamming” with the trio on orf instruments (mallet instruments) at the conclusion of the program.

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

Moonlight Stories: Grades K-12

Moonlight Stories is a child-centered recreation of the African storytelling tradition performed by Orisirisi African Folklore, inclusive of mesmerizing African drumming and dance, spirited call and response songs, and fun-filled audience participation.  Though child-centered this engaging theatrical production appeals to the child’s-heart in everyone and fortifies key elements of character development. The audience will meet, Babaluaye, the Father of the Drum, Dog and Turtle along with many other unforgettable characters, as Orisirisi spends yarns and shares learning exercises that none will soon forget! Presented by Don Harrell.

Availability: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

Our Coral Reefs: Teams of Success: Grades 4-7

This exciting NEW program features live music, fabulous marine props, costumes, and audience participation! Students will learn that 71% of the earth is water!  (95% of the water is in the oceans and less than 1% includes coral reef systems.) That tiny 1% supports 25% of all marine life as well as supplies the earth with oxygen.  Students will dive into the ecology of the coral reef in both its devastation and beauty through this multi-media and participatory program.  Students will try on and witness the STEAM careers and skills that can restore the reef and participate in a dance of repopulating the reef with its indicator species. Through music and dance this program will link the rigors of science with the emotions of caring and action! Presented by Donna Wissinger.

Engaging, educational and inspiring!

Availability: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs

Myths, Legends and Fables: Grades 3-5

Follow! Follow me to a wondrous place of fantastic tales! In Myths Legends and Fables students receive a lively musical and dramatic introduction to legendary heroes, Greek mythology and the science of sound, and the far-reaching power of fables. Doing your best and having courage to ‘write your life story’ are modeled by the stories of the legendary William Tell, current athletes, and American icons. Throughout the program students are encouraged to learn more about the world through reading. Inspiring, full of knowledge, and fun! Presented by Donna Wissinger.

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

Native Americans and the Voices of Nature: Grades 3-8

Deer claw rattles, native flutes and communal drums draw students into the Native American experience of nature. Every creature has a voice and each voice has a place of honor. Using a talking stick, the artist helps students move from curiosity in the Native American instruments and culture to finding their own voices. The artist encourages students to build upon new principals and to take the action that enables them to be participants in keeping our planet green. Engaging, important for the care of our earth and human kindness, and fun! Presented by Donna Wissinger.

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

The Pied Piper and other Fantastic Tales: Grades K-2

Young students and readers are drawn into a musical magical world of active listening and imagination. Weaving a piper’s spell with her golden flute Donna mesmerizes students while teaching musical rhythm and vocabulary.  Stories from faraway lands expose students to new cultures and instruments.  The lively story bag of instruments engages students in deductive thinking and dramatic representation all while playfully teaching science, mathematics, social studies and language arts.  Engaging, educational and fun!

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

The World Turned Upside Down: Grades 3-11

Music of the American Revolution
(May be paired with The Pied Piper and other Fantastic Tales)
Yankee Doodle comes to town with this exciting, hands-on program from artist Donna Wissinger. Students experience a day in the life of a patriot soldier, learning drum beats and what they meant, marching to the beat of the drum, and singing songs popular during the war. Older students discover insights into the causes and attitudes of the American Revolutionary War. Through the music of the fife (piccolo) and drum, students begin to understand the role that music and musicians played in this conflict.

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

BeBop Buddies: Grades 7-12

Daniel Jordan teaches students a basic knowledge of jazz improvisation, jazz theory, and jazz styles. Musical demonstrations of the basic elements of jazz improvisation will be used in a call and response setting. Jazz phrasing and articulation will be demonstrated and discussed. Students will learn how to communicate using their instruments with the three basic components of improvisation: rhythm, tonality, and emotion.

Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.

Caribbean Music DNA : Grades 6-12

Percussion artist Dimas Sanchez presents the relationship between the music in two major Caribbean Islands: Cuba and Puerto Rico, with the music and culture of different African nations. Connections are made through the examination of the instruments from Africa and compared with the
instruments in the Caribbean. Demonstratations will include the relationship of the native languages and how those languages correspond to the unique rhythms of Caribbean music.

Educational, interesting and inspiring!

Availability: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs