Studying music is making a difference in the lives of top graduates across the country. June was graduation month for high schools ,colleges and universities throughout the United States.
In South Bend, Indiana 50% of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians, 13 out of 26 top graduates, were musicians and scholars. The article “Valedictorians, Salutatorians and Grads for 2007” (May 26, 2007) is from the SouthBendTribune.com. In Pembroke Pines, Florida the co-salutatorians were identical twins Jue and Fei Pu. The sisters are scholars, athletes and pianists.
“Twins Grab Academic Glory” (June 10, 2007) was written by C. Ron Allen and is from the Sun-Sentinel.com. At Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron the salutatorian is Adam T. Weaver and he is both a scholar and a musician. The article, “Tippecanoe Valley Students Honored” (June 2, 2007) is from the Times-Uniononline serving Warsaw and Kosciusko. The Valedictorian for Justin-Siena High School is Harrison Bell who has earned awards in math, English and music. He is also a star athlete for his school baseball team.
“Bell Rings On and Off Diamond : Braves Catcher Valedictorian of Senior Class” (May 31, 2007) by Marty James from the Napa Valley Register.
In Troy, Michigan at Troy High School there are 3 top students who are scholars, musicians, and athletes.
“Perfect, Perfect, Perfect: Versatile Troy High Co-Valedictorians All Post 4.0 Average, 36 ACT Score”(June 17, 2007) by Bill Laitner from the Free Press.com.
“American Soprano Eva Tonin Sings in Carnegie Hall to Save Lives of Ukrainian Children” (May 31, 2007) from the clickpress.com Global News Distribution . Russian born, Antonia Levinia will sing at Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall on May 31 to raise money for life saving cardio surgery for children around the world through the organization, Gift of Life International.
Classroom Update On Using Classical Music in the Public School Classrooms and while doing homework after school:“Opera Integrates Reading, Music: Students Hone Skills at Pensacola Opera’s Outreach Project”(June 5,2007) by Pamela Corcoran and Carmen Paige from the Pensacola News Journal.
At Holley-Navarre Primary School opera has been used to improve reading scores in first and second grade classes. The Pensacola Opera’s educational outreach has a project called “From Words to Music”. The program has the students writing, producing and performing “ an opera based on a story out of their language arts curriculum.” The results have been outstanding .”..95% of my students have increased their scores,since last year, Pahukoa said.” Her second graders “have either met or exceeded their reading comprehension level.” Abigail Weekly’s first grade “class scored 15 points above the Santa Rosa County School District average in reading.” Tim Kennedy, director of education and community outreach for the Pensacola Opera says, “Our goal is to introduce kids to the art form of opera and be an advocate for music education. I wanted to find a way to integrate reading and music together , and that can be done with opera, which is based on a story. We wanted to do a project that proves the arts can aid in the academic learning process.”
“Business Business Monday: Business Buzz” (May 28, 2007) by Norman DeBono from The London Free Press. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is a sponsor of Orchestra London’s Opera Education program . The bank is adding classical opera to London high school music departments. “It’s all about introducing opera to young people”, said Doug Walker, the orchestra’s education and outreach manager.” Businesses are sharing the gift of music to improve education.
“Charter One Pavilion Concertgoers Can Help Children Discover the Benefits of Music Education”(June 6, 2007) from PRNewswire in Chicago. “Charter One Bank announced today that it will launch it’s “Making Music Matter” program at select concerts at the Charter One Pavilion at Northern Island, beginning Friday, June 8.” The “Making Music Matter” program includes a “non-profit partnership for activities such as: Expanding class size of existing arts and musical education programs,supplying musical instruments , providing musical instruction , increasing access to musical and artistic training, creating new programs in community centers around Chicagoland.”
If you have not re-signed up for my newsletter please go to www.madelinefrankviola.com and re-sign up on the left side of the home page for your future newsletters. This month, July , will be your last reminder!
The question for July is “I have a beloved family member with Parkinson’s. Is their anything you can suggest that would help ?”
I would suggest playing the music he or she loves best and having them move to the music, dance to the music and exercise lightly to the music. This will decrease tremors and help with balance. I have also used a piano or keyboard to have them play chords on the piano and simple tunes. We used a lap harp to play scales and simple tunes which were using the hands to pull the sounds from the strings decreasing tremors and improving balance. This method was used by Dr. Ronald Price, Professor at North Illinois University who has used the playing of his harp on a daily bases for 3 or 4 hours daily to be free of his symptoms of Parkinson’s. He has his Healing Harps project which grew out of his research. Of his ensemble “three of the six members had disabilities” (Campbell, 1992, p.80). For past articles on dancing to improve balance and decreasing tremors go to www.madelinefrankviola.com and click on articles at the top of the home page and go through my past article archives for these articles. This July if you have a question about the power of music for education and healing … what would your specific question be? Tap on my web site and look on the left side to where it says ask me a question.
“Pirnmill Pupils in Tune With Classical Music” (June 4, 2007) from The Arran Banner UK News. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra visited the Pirnmill Primary School to “inspire pupils through music and creativity and the initiative has been devised with elements of the ages 5 to 14 science education guidelines incorporated” Students “worked on three areas; singing, rapping and body percussion.”
Performing at Hospitals, Rehab Hospitals, and Retirement Homes
- Madeline Frank, violist has shared her music with patients at local Hospitals and Rehab Hospitals in Virginia. If anyone has an experience they would like to share on the benefits of classical music please write me and I will include it in the July 2007 newsletter
Wishing you and your family a happy July 4th from your Non-Invasive Medicine…Music Expert, Madeline