A Taste of Jewish Music:
An enrichment program for Elementary and Middle Schools

Components

  • Preliminary meetings with school personnel and with parents or students
  • Four Rehearsals-during and/or after school (in “activities” period):
  • One or more Professional Development session for teaching music to groups of diverse cultures and abilities
  • One field trip after school to local sites of Jewish interest in Denver
  • One Daytime Performance in student assembly
  • One Evening Performance for parents and community

    • A taste of Jewish music brings instruction in a potpourri of unison and 2 part songs in Hebrew, English, Yiddish and Ladino, with a school assembly, evening program for parents and friends, and professional development program. Organizers envision a replicable model for Jewish music, or for other ethno-religious groups within our pluralistic society. In addition to featuring the heritage of this culture group, this program is a model for broad participation, with special attention to accessibility and accommodations for disability, language skills, and other challenges.

    Inclusion
    Inclusive practices are intrinsic to this proposal. Rehearsal practices include cues for oral and visual learners, and pedagogical training to accommodate all levels of learning. Audio tapes accommodate students who need to learn at home. Musical programming is designed to encourage language and reading skills, communication, critical thinking and artistic skills, as well as promoting a positive attitude towards all elements of our society. All activities will meet state music standards.

    Access
    Field trip is in full compliance with ADA. Site interpreters will be brought to locations as necessary, including accommodations for language and auditory processing.

    Professional Development
    Presenter has experience with both the specific content, in school, community and professional levels, and with facilitating full participation among school students and adults. Presenter has experience training music educators and choral professionals, and interaction with specialists and general-education colleagues. Therefore the professional development session or sessions may concentrate on Jewish heritage content and/or inclusive practices. Music can be a highly effective model for inclusive practices. Workshop may focus on both specific contents, and on strategies for inclusion of blind, learning-challenged, ADD-ADHD, other disabilities, and use of sign language (ASL) for these programs.

    Community Need
    Building bridges of understanding starting with youth, the next generation. The program will celebrate our unique contributions and recognizing the need to build better channels of communication with all areas of the community. There is a lack of awareness of Jewish culture, heritage, and tradition. In particular, the Spanish-Jewish heritage, with its rich heritage of songs in Spanish and long history in Mexico and the US Southwest, provides an ideal opportunity for intercultural cooperation.

    Target Population
    Students, teachers, school community, parents.

    Scripts
    Proposal includes working with script professionals to develop at least one script suitable for target audience. Several ideas are under consideration, including Jewish elements in Hispano heritage; The Holocaust and its effect on children; and festivals and foods throughout the year.

    Costs
    Participating schools and student families will pay a fee typical for the school’s enrichment programming.