During the last two weeks of October, the fifth- and seventh-graders of Bonlee School experienced an Artists-in-Schools residency deeply rooted in 21st-century learning: music production through computer software, lyric and poetry writing using figurative language, and peer collaboration to create original songs.
Students explored either music production or lyric and poetry writing in daily workshops for the first five days, then completed two days of collaborative workshops to finalize songs–blending one student’s beats with another student’s lyrics! This all culminated in a song-sharing showcase for their peers on the final day.
Students were led by the talented lead teaching artists of Blackspace, Rem and Zone. “When you start doing this and seeing this is something you really love, you’ll…” began Rem.
“…feel like a superhero!” Zone finished.
Blackspace teaching artist and professional sound engineer Rem introduced music production students to Bandlab, a digital platform that would become their creative playground for creating musical beats and melodies. Students learned to layer instrument sounds like kick drum, high hat, and snare. Then, they explored digital tools like looping sounds, pitch adjustments, and sound mixing.
Blackspace teaching artist and professional rapper/performer Zone worked with lyric and poetry writing students to find their voice and cadence. Together, they learned to craft original lyrics in the form of poetry, including enhancements like rhyme, simile, and metaphor to connect with their audience and help build a clearer picture.
“I think the students had fun learning figurative language in a new and engaging way,” shared a fifth-grade teacher.
The students worked for a week in their workshop tracks–either focusing on music production or songwriting.
“These are like the best days of school,” whispered one fifth-grader to another during their music production workshop.
Even seventh-grade teacher Ms. Ritter participated and shared her rap about math in front of the class. Students said from the audience: “Ms. Ritter slayed!” and “This is so cool!”
Students also spent time during the week with special guests to help hone their skills.
Grammy-nominated musician and Blackspace co-founder Pierce Freelon and poet/vocalist Alicia Marie brought a burst of energy and shared their music making, lyric writing, and performing skills.
Then, it was time to take those newfound skills and collaborate. Songwriting students were grouped with music production students to create brand new music for the showcase.
In these groups, students combined their original music beats with lyrics–making adjustments so the music and words fit just right. Some songs were about heartbreak; one was about country boy living; and others incorporated foods, holidays or fun times with friends.
“I liked that we got to put singing and beats together,” shared one fifth-grader.
Once songs were finalized, the kids recorded the written lyrics for their songs in a makeshift sound recording booth in the multipurpose room’s storage closet.
Rem guided the students by giving them pointers about vocal placement, standing tall, and rapping or singing their lyrics as best they could.
“I feel like a professional!” one seventh-grader said after their time in the recording booth.
The final showcase consisted of beats being shared and songs being played–even a “One Chatham” rap performed by Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Amanda Moran.
Student creators listened from the audience alongside their peers while the artists explained the week’s musicmaking journey and a few specifics about the new songs.
If student creators were comfortable, they identified themselves in the crowd after their music was played.
The fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-graders in the audience gasped at the professional quality of the new work.
Some of those audience kids got a chance to be onstage and engage with songmaking themselves–getting a glimpse of what their peers were mastering all week.
“This residency made us learn something,” said one seventh-grader.
“I wish we could have a longer time with the artists, because the time felt like it flew by so fast!” shared a fifth-grader.
“For me, seeing some of the kids that initially started off very shy and nervous start to blossom and become more comfortable in themselves was the best part of this residency,” stated teaching artist Zone.
Assistant Principal Nissa Bennett Wells noted, “Students became more excited about writing after participating in the [residency]. They felt proud and confident of their writing and beat creation.”
“It was wonderful to see the excitement of all students . . . They saw a mirror of themselves as artists,” said Principal Nikki Murchison.
This residency was sponsored by David and Meadow Christ and the NC Arts Council. It is part of the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative.
Arts for Resilient Kids programming is made possible by partnerships with Chatham County Schools, Chatham County, the North Carolina Arts Council, and many individual, foundation, and business donors. If you feel inspired to help continue this mission of education kids through the arts, click here to donate.
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