THE HOGGATTEER REVOLUTION
  • Homeroom
  • Orientation
    • Class Handbook
    • Families: The Wind Beneath Our Wings
    • Meet the Teacher
    • Place in the World
    • Teachers: File Cabinet
  • Positivity
    • Earn Your Wings
    • G.R.O.S.S.
    • Insightful Poetry
    • Inspirational Prose
    • Meaningful Quotes
    • Positive Behavior Conversations
  • Exploration
    • Celebrate Good Times (Come On)
    • Cerebral Cinema >
      • Hoggatt-Made Videos
      • Mood Music
      • Music Appreciation
      • Positive Behavior Conversations
    • Coursework >
      • Cultivating America
      • Focus on Science
      • Let's Communicate
      • M4+HEM4+1C5
      • Missouri, USA
      • Recess Bell
      • Scripture Studies

"I Can't Believe I Shook Hands with Professional Musicians."

9/29/2016

1 Comment

 
They came to our school as a part of Pro Musica Joplin.  They came to share their love for classical and jazz compositions.  They came to demonstrate their dedication to their craft.

They are Ilmar, Melissa, Jaime, and Felix - the Harlem Quartet - and when they visited our school, we received more than we expected.

But so did they.

The four members of the Grammy Award winning ensemble were unpacking and warming up.  We were the first to arrive.
Ilmar arrived at the door at about the same time as we. One of our students didn't hesitate to poke his hand in front of the violinist and welcome him to our school. He then proceeded to ask the Cuban native a question: "What is Afro-Cuban music?"

Now where did that question come from?  To tell the truth, earlier in the day we had studied the Harlem Quartet's About Us web page.  Hoggatteers took this short research and ran with it.  By the time we met the quartet, we were addressing them by name.  We knew them.  We had looked at their professional careers. We looked at their musical training.  We took note of their musical acquaintances.

Ilmar wondered aloud how fourth graders knew his name.  This kind of research simply isn't usually done.

Our research showed in the way our class viewed the ensemble; it was a notable difference.  They listened differently.  After all, we knew these people.  These weren't nameless people visiting our auditorium.  We knew who they were and where they came from.

And that changed how we listened.  Students kept rhythm with their fingers.  They looked at their neighbors to express satisfaction.  They visualized.

Afterward, they wanted to put our class' standards of operation into play:  they wanted to greet our guests.

I am reluctant to grant such a request.  I know the performers are winding down, that they are packing their equipment, and that they are having conversations with other adults who are highly interested in Pro Musica activities.  Still, at the same time, my students need real experiences.  It's one thing to greet the teachers in the hallway every morning; it's quite a different experience to shake hands with world-traveling performers.

A little Beethoven
An Afro-Cuban Selection
Sweet Home Alabama

I don't know why I am always surprised by these things any more.  Once granted permission to leave our straight lines and approach the musicians, Hoggatteers did not only shake hands and express their appreciation for their performance; they also carried on mini-conversations while there.  They even asked a few more of the questions that lingered in their minds.

After a short time, I called them away.  We returned to the classroom for debriefing.  The kids had noticed a difference in the types of questions they had for the visitors and the questions that were asked by students in other classes and in other schools (Three other Joplin schools rounded out the audience.).  They also recognized the attention they received by the performers.  During the presentation, Ilmar even mentioned to the entire crowd that they would play an Afro-Cuban piece, partially at the request of our class, stating that having elementary-aged students learn their names ahead of time was a first for the group.

Students also noted that the performers were looking at each other and commenting that they had never experienced this kind of reception before.  The experience, from start to finish, seems to have made a lasting impression on both performers and audience.  We felt good about it all.  We were energized.  We felt a little bit grown up.  It truly still amazes me how much teaching kids to properly shake hands and share a conversation changes them and their behavior and their self-confidence.  One student expressed what others could not:  "I can't believe I shook hands with professional musicians!"

​I suppose we will follow up on the Harlem Quartet.  Our class was asked to write to the musicians and to share our correspondence with Pro Musica.  Now I have to teach them to write coherent friendly letters.
1 Comment
Grace
9/29/2016 08:13:36 am

I shook Malia's hand and she was surprised we even walked up to her. It shows great respect and politeness when you shake someone's hand.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Anthem

    The Hoggatteer Revolution
    is
    an extensive,
    award-winning, 
    inimitable,
    digital platform
    for Encouraging
    ​and Developing
    ​the Arts and Sciences

    in the beautiful, friendly

    LAND OF THE FREE
    AND THE HOME
    ​OF THE BRAVE
    This site is described as
    "a fantastic site... chockablock full of interesting ideas,
    hilarious ane
    cdotes,
    and useful resources."
    Picture
    Picture
    ...to like, bookmark, pin,
    ​tweet, and share

    about us...and check in regularly for updates, posted before DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, daily!
    Picture

    Intercom

    GigSalad Member Since 2022
    Book Mr. Hoggatt Securely
    ​for Your Event
    ​at GigSalad.com.

    Picture
    Follow @DEdHoggatt

    Email Mr. Hoggatt
    Picture

    Trophy Case

    Picture
    Selected Participant for 2020-2022
    Picture
    Selected Honoree/Celebrant, 2022
    Picture
    Outstanding Achievement, 2022
    Picture
    Nominated, January 2022
    Picture
    2021 Missouri History Teacher of the Year and National History Teacher of the Year Nominee
    Picture
    Recognized in Joplin Globe, February 2021
    Picture
    Teacher Institute Participant, 2019
    Picture
    Ancestry Classroom Grant, Since 2018
    Picture
    Summer Residency Participant, 2018
    Picture
    "The Bus Stops Here" Grant, November 2018
    Picture
    Summer Residency, 2018
    Picture
    Recognized 2017
    Since 2017
    Picture
    MSTA Media Award, KOAM-TV's "Manners Matter", Featuring Our Class, May 2017
    Picture
    Third Place, 2016 Film Festival
    Picture
    Recognized 2016
    2014 Recipient
    Picture
    Slide Certified, 2012
    Picture
    2009 Outstanding Class Website
    Picture
    2005 Nominee
    Picture
    2005 Joplin Teacher of the Year and Missouri Teacher of the Year nominee
    Picture
    2004 Recipient
    Picture
    2002 Excellent Education Program
    Picture
    2001 Nominee
    Picture
    1996 Outstanding Classroom Video
    Picture
    Grant Recipient, 1993

    Picture

    Fireside Chats

    Picture
    Choose Your Platform:
    Anchor
    ​Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
    Breaker
    Google Podcasts
    ​
    Overcast
    Pocket Casts
    RadioPublic
    Spotify
    Stitcher
    Picture

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Picture

    Checks & Balances

    Links to external sites
    on the internet are for convenience only.

    No endorsement or approval of any content, products, or services is intended.

    Opinions on sites are not necessarily shared
    by Mr. Hoggatt
    (In fact, sometimes
    Mr. Hoggatt doesn't agree with anyone.)
    Picture

The Hoggatteer Revolution

H

O

P

E