In-School Programs
Piano Learning Lab
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Students in this unique program learn to play the piano and explore keyboard music in piano classes of four to six members. Through the Elementary Piano Labs, children in second through sixth grades who might not otherwise get the chance to take piano lessons receive this opportunity in their school. This program serves two elementary schools from September through May and provides students two 30-minute sessions with a professional piano lab instructor each week.
After-school practice opportunities are available to students two or three days a week, and progress is measured in annual piano demonstrations and performances. Pianists from The Gilmore visit piano labs throughout the year and present performances.
Piano Learning Labs are held in two area schools, Woods Lake and Spring Valley. Schools are selected in collaboration with Kalamazoo Public School Administration. Students are selected on the basis of desire and teacher recommendation. There is regular assessment of students, teachers and program curriculum. Due to the gracious support of donors, schools are assessed only a small fee for the operation of the lab within their school.
Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home
Keyboarding & Music Tech, The Gilmore's Piano Learning Lab at the Juvenile Home, provides students at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home with musical knowledge and a personal avenue of self-expression through instruction of piano/keyboard in an equipped music keyboard lab.
Classes meet two times each week with additional opportunities throughout the week for students to enhance their skills, compose or explore music history and composers.
Annually, a selected pianist/group provides a musical demonstration and/or a performance for all of the students at the Juvenile Home.
Piano Pizzazz
Piano Pizzazz programs feature keyboard artists and materials to help students prepare for the performances. Piano Pizzazz programs are carefully developed to make each presentation fun and educational for students. The goal is to help the audience understand the uniqueness of keyboards and keyboard artistry, through a combination of information and performance.
A school anywhere in west Michigan can choose a program or performer from the season line-up to meet their needs or interests. Presentations last 45 minutes and are available for audiences as large as 250. Fees depend on the program chosen; funding opportunities are available.
Piano Pizzazz is available from September through May. Interested schools may contact slawrence@gilmore.org for information or to schedule a program.
KSO/Gilmore Partner Schools
The Gilmore works with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and area elementary schools to provide the KSO/Gilmore Partner Schools program. This program integrates music throughout the school curriculum so that it complements learning in subjects as diverse as literature, reading, math, cultural studies, physical education, critical thinking, and life skills. Each grade level (K–6) receives lesson plans and materials to integrate into the classroom curriculum. These lessons then carry over into the music room.
An artist from KSO visits and coaches students during the year. A fall kick-off assembly from the KSO features the artist.
Each year The Gilmore presents a new featured pianist, a piano, program theme, and preparatory packet to the partner schools. This program serves all of the students within the KSO/Gilmore Partner Schools.
Calendar
May 2008
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