FreshStARTs
FreshStARTs offers interdisciplinary educational and artistic experiences for students by sending live, curriculum-based performances into your school.
Teachers can choose from a selection of ten programs that present an exciting and fun approach to supplement their traditional classroom curriculum. FreshStARTs is a great way to broaden horizons and help students understand and appreciate cultural diversity through the arts.
To reserve one of these educational programs for your students, download the Registration Form and fax it to Sherry Orr at 407.646.2533. If you have additional questions, contact Sherry at education@bachfestivalflorida.org or call 407.691.1228.
African Drumming and Dance: Grades K-5
Students participate in an exciting performance that blends Eastern and Western cultures by wearing authentic African clothes, playing instruments, singing, and dancing. The presentation is an energetic and rhythmic journey in drumming and dance, celebrating the many aspects of African culture and language with renowned choreographer Margo Blake-Tyler and a master drummer.
Availablility: Wednesdays only, year-round
Download African Drumming Lesson Plans.
Caribbean Carnival: Grades K-5
Virgin Islands born steel-drum maker Tom Reynolds introduces the exciting history and development of Caribbean rhythms and music. Students learn how steel drums an instrument invented in the twentieth century were created, are made, and are tuned. The presentation includes discussion and hands-on activities and has students moving to the beat.
Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs
Didgeridoo Down Under: Grades K-12
Didgeridoo Down Under is a one-of-a-kind, Australia-themed show that combines music, art, social studies, storytelling, environmental education, and audience participation. The didgeridoo, first played by Aboriginal Australians, is known for its hauntingly beautiful sound. Master didgeridoo player Lindsey Dank takes the audience on a multi-sensory journey to Australia. Lindsey also uses artwork, boomerangs, bull-roarers, maps, and vocabulary lists to enhance the educational experience.
Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.
Download Didgeridoo Down Under Lesson Plans.
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.
Download Journey Through Jazz Lesson Plans.
Myths, Legends and Fables: Grades 3-5
Follow artist Donna Wissinger and her magic flute to a wondrous place of fantastic tales! The flute becomes the voice and storyteller of great myths, legends, and fables. Students see the connection between storytelling, music, and the human story.
Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.
Download Myths, Legends and Fables Lesson Plans.
Native Americans and the Voices of Nature: Grades 3-8
(May be paired with The Pied Piper and other Fantastic Tales)
With deer-claw rattles, clay flutes, pine-cone ratchets, and communion drums, students learn to hear and appreciate the world around them as Native American cultures once did. Led by artist Donna Wissinger, the program is a hands-on experience that fosters an appreciation for other cultures and teaches respect for nature?s voices.
Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.
Download Native Americans and the Voices of Nature Lesson Plans.
The Pied Piper and other Fantastic Tales: Grades K-2
(May be paired with Myths, Legends and Fables, Native Americans and the Voices of Nature, and The World Turned Upside Down: Music and Stories of the American Revolution)
Magic happens in the hearts and minds of teachers and students when learning is joyful, attention rapt and everyone is eager for more. Florida-based storyteller and flutist Donna Wissinger opens her magical bag of instruments to mesmerize and enthrall young students. Listen as Donna tells the stories of, and plays tunes from, The Pied Piper, Pocahontas, Pan and Syrinx, and The Lone Ranger. Children will learn about different styles of flutes, the type of sounds they create, and how music can enhance the joys of storytelling.
Availablility: Year-round / school days, school events, and summer programs.
Download The Pied Piper and Other Fantastic Tales Lesson Plans.
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.
FreshStARTs programs meet Sunshine State Standards.
