AT A GLANCE

Music: The Voice of Unity is a musical journey through the language arts. The mission of this program is to allow students to connect with the themes of unity, cultural tolerance and global understanding. This process is realized within a creative, participatory environment that fosters the children’s ability to gain a greater appreciation for people from other parts of the world. The students benefit by nurturing their own storytelling abilities, cultivating a personalized awareness through an expanded world perspective.

Over the course of this residency, Andy Wasserman will present the instrumental voices of five regions: North America (Native American), South America, Far East Asia, the Middle East and West Africa. His time-tested activities transform students into budding musicians with non-stop hands-on participatory opportunities to play dozens of authentic percussion, string and wind instruments from his huge personal collection.  The students will in turn become inspired and guided to create their own stories by composing poems, short stories, journal entries, paintings and dance movements, as well as designing and making their own homemade musical instruments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ideal schedule features a full-day residency, during which Andy will spend 40 to 50 minutes with each class, once a week, for five weeks.  The residency culminates in a final musical celebration during week six.
During his first visit, Andy will introduce the concept that the human heartbeat shapes the musical sounds that link us all.  With an array of instruments native to several countries, he will demonstrate the common musical elements found worldwide, and start exploring those features that make each culture’s music distinct.

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During each ensuing week, he shares instruments from a new culture, always highlighting communication tools that illuminate the unique cultural “fingerprint.”  As he proceeds, he supplies resources and grade appropriate assignments for teachers to guide their students in creating works of other arts disciplines. Homemade musical instrument making projects are also included.

At the culminating event, students play selected instruments for their peers while classmates display and discuss the original artwork, poems, stories and homemade instruments created during the entire course of the residency. Wasserman involves the entire audience in a closing celebration – resonating with the theme of unity – and enhanced by each class presentation, thereby tying the threads that bind the residency together as a whole.

This program can be tailored to the needs of any educational site, library, museum, festival or event.

Detailed study guide booklets written by Wasserman are provided for preparation and follow-up.

Click here to find out more about Andy's other arts-in-education programs.

Click here to see the home page slideshow video of Andy's collection of ethnic instruments from around the world.

Click here to see photo collages of the instruments Andy uses in these world music programs.