Horrace Green Junior Academy

Dr. Rosalie Mullins

Principal
November 3, 2005
Concert field trip for eighth grade class

Music classes are an integral part of the education of young people, and Horrace Green Junior
Academy sets itself apart from other elementary schools with its superb musical education
program. Grades kindergarten through 8 all have mandatory music classes covering musical
theory, history, and performance. Throughout their early education, students will gain a
comprehensive knowledge of musical theory, learn about the impact of music on cultures and
society, as well as how to read and play classical music.
Despite such an excellent music program, there is no corresponding field trip that links the
lessons and skills learned in class to real life experience. Every other subject in the Horrace
Green curriculum has at least one field trip throughout the length of elementary and secondary
school that juxtaposes lessons learned with real world experience. These field trips give students
a chance to see experts in various fields giving an example of professionally acceptable work.
They also give students a chance to engage with class material in a fun and interesting
environment. In essence, field trips help to integrate lessons and give students context for what
they are learning. It makes sense then, that such an opportunity should be made available for the
school’s music program.
The attached proposal will give reasons for such a field trip to be implemented, as well as a
complete itinerary of the proposed trip. Thank you for reading the proposal, and doing your best
to enrich the lives of students enrolled at Horrace Green.
Sincerely,

Ned Schneebly
 THE NEED FOR A FIELD TRIP TO A CONCERT
FOR THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS
AT HORRACE GREEN JUNIOR ACADEMY

In order to watch the performance of professional musicians and give context to music
classes

Submitted to

Horrace Green Junior Academy

Principal
Dr. Rosalie Mullins

Submitted by

Class 8A Homeroom Teacher

Ned Schneebly

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Necessity of concert field trip……………………………………………………………....……1
Concert Hall Recommendation…………………………………………………………..….….1
Description of performances……………………………………………………………....…….2
Itinerary……………………………………………………………………………….....……..2
Expenses…………………………………………………………………………………..….…...3
Benefits to be gained…………………………………………………………………….…..…...3
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………...4

Necessity of Concert Field Trip

For most of the subjects taught at Horrace Green there is a corresponding field trip which gives
context for and a living example of the lessons learned in class. The only subject which does not
have this luxury is music. This alone should be reason enough to add a field trip into the lesson
plan. Aside from this however, a concert field trip is integral to a holistic musical education for
other reasons.
The first is that there is a massive difference between hearing the recording of a musical piece
and seeing one performed firsthand. When watching a live performance the actions of the
musicians on stage are visible. By watching a live performance students will be able to see
professional musicians actually playing their instruments, not just hearing it. Just being able to
watch the hands of a professional piano player, cellist, violinist, etc. will teach students
invaluable lessons otherwise inaccessible to them.
Watching a live performance also makes students more interested in music. Although many
students participate in the music lessons given at Horrace Green and can even play an
instrument, they express very little interest during class. A live performance will exhibit music
outside of the context of mandatory lessons, and make students more interested. By hearing the
emotion and obvious practice that these musicians put into their playing, students will receive a
fresh outlook on music
More practically speaking, if the proposed trip is selected, the concert would coincide with the
eighth grade class chapter on orchestras and classical music pieces. So not only will this trip
serve as motivation to learn and a goal to aim for in the student’s own musicianship, but it will
also be a perfect review before testing on orchestras and classical music pieces.

Concert Hall Recommendation

The Kimmel center for the Performing Arts would be an ideal location for the proposed field
trip. The building was constructed only two years ago and is a state of the art concert hall that is
home to the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra. The venue hosts a wide variety of musical
performances but mainly focuses on classical and jazz. Such a focus is perfect, as eighth grade
class at Horrace Green is currently learning to read, write, and play music from classical
examples. The Kimmel Center is also located in downtown Philadelphia which is only a thirty
minute drive from Horrace Green. Due to the alignment of music offered with Horrace Green’s
own syllabus as well as its ideal location, the Kimmel center would be a perfect choice for a
concert field trip.

Description of performances
WRTI, a classical and jazz radio station based in Philadelphia, will be hosting “A Musical
Afternoon” at the Kimmel center on December 14th. This program will consist of two concerts,
one featuring classical pianist Yuja Wang, and the other featuring the jazz fusion band Snarky
Puppy.
Yuja Wang with Yannick Seguin and the Philadelphia Philharmonic: Yuja Wang is a classical
pianist who has been a student of music for over twenty years. She studied at the Beijing Central
Conservatory of Music and began performing internationally at the age of 21. For “A Musical
Afternoon” she will be teaming up with Yannick Seguin, the conductor of the Philadelphia
Philharmonic Orchestra. Together these musicians will perform the Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Major and the Rachmaninoff piano concerto No. 2.
Snarky Puppy: Snarky Puppy is a fusion band that incorporates elements of Jazz, Rock, and
Funk. The group is led by the bassist, composer, and producer Michael League. They have been
awarded three Grammys in their brief history (the band was established in 2004) and play as well
as instruct master classes on music business and performance internationally.

Itinerary
10:30AM-11:00AM: Class discussion covering topics such as, previous concerts attended,
description of upcoming performance, etiquette during performance, what to look and listen for
during performance, and brainstorming of questions to ask musicians after the concert.
11:00AM-11:30AM: Board buses, take attendance, and travel to the Kimmel Center.
11:30AM-12:00PM: Distribute tickets, enter the building, and take seats.
12:00PM-1:00PM: Yuja Wang and Yannick Seguin performance
1:00PM-1:25PM: Intermission, go backstage to meet the artists (Yuja Wang, Yannick Seguin)
1:25PM-1:30PM: Return to seats
1:30PM-2:30PM: Snarky Puppy performance
2:30PM-2:55PM: Meet the artists (Snarky Puppy)
2:55PM-3:25PM: Board buses and return to Horrace Green
3:25PM-3:50PM: Return to class room and have students fill out reflection sheet (Reflection
sheet attached to proposal)
Note: Meet the artist sessions will consist of the artist giving a brief talk on their careers and
experience with music. Afterwards there will be time for a question and answer session.
 Expenses
Transportation: $400(this price includes gas for the vehicles and pay for the driver)
Concert Tickets: $1,050 (this price includes tickets for students and faculty for the two
performances that will take place)
Meet the Artist sessions: The price for these sessions has been covered by WRTI. The radio
station supports musical education for children and wishes the best to the Horrace Green eighth
grade class
Total: $1,450
Benefits
Exposure to new music: In Horrace Green’s music curriculum students are only taught how to
play, and read music through classical pieces. Using classical music for the purpose of learning
technical skills and theory is beneficial, however it is important to keep an open mind. Snarky
Puppy, a jazz band, will give students a look into an entirely new side of music. The main
appeal, as well as the most important skill for jazz musicians to hone, is improvisation.
Improvisation is the creation of brand new melodies, chord inversions, and interplay between
instruments within the structure of a pre-existing song. In order to improvise musicians must
have an intuitive knowledge of their instrument, an intimate familiarity with the songs they play,
the courage to work outside of their comfort zone, and, above all else, creativity. These are all
skills that are valuable to any musician and seeing them on display first hand will be extremely
beneficial to students. The new music will also keep the student’s minds fresh and allow them to
come to their music classes with a new perspective on how an instrument can be played.

Example of professional musicianship: As stated earlier in the proposal, watching live music is a
completely different experience than listening to a recording. In other words, there is no
substitute for lived experience. By watching professional musicians play their instruments
students will be able to witness a level of playing that is rare and beautiful. Just seeing
professional musicians handling their instruments will show the vast potential there is to be
explored through music. The artist’s intimate connection with their instruments and the emotion
poured into the notes they play will both inspire students, as well as give them an admirable goal
to pursue in their own musical life- whether it be in school, as a hobby, or even as a career.
Advice from professionals: The meet the artist sessions being offered by WRTI will be a source
of indispensable knowledge for Horrace Green students. Even if some students have no
particular interest in pursuing a musical career, hearing the stories of professionals and how they
got to the level they are at will be very beneficial nonetheless. Any artist who performs at the
world-level will have valuable advice to give that can be adapted to any subject area. Students
will learn about setting goals, the value of practice, the benefits of self discipline, and the
possibility of making dreams a reality. Students will also have the chance to ask any questions
they may have about music (careers, better ways to practice, advice for aspiring musicians, etc.)
to skilled individuals who are familiar with the business and practice of it.

Context for music classes: By showing an example of professionally acceptable music students
will have a clearer idea of what to aim for in their own musical practice. This will encourage
students to practice more diligently. The trip also takes place right at the end of the eighth grade
class chapter on orchestras and classical music pieces. This will give context to the test they will
take only days after the trip and increase students' understanding of the topic matter.

Conclusion
A concert field trip to the Kimmel Center to see classical and jazz performances by professional
musicians would be an extremely educational experience for the eighth grade classes at Horrace
Green Junior Academy. By seeing an example of professional musicianship firsthand, students
will gain a renewed sense of respect and perhaps interest in music. This will give a new and
more realistic context to their music classes, as well as a goal to reach in their own musical
endeavors. Students will also learn invaluable life lessons both from the musicians and the
music they create. In addition to the wonderful benefits the students will gain through this
experience, the cost of the trip is well worth the value of the performances. For all of these
reasons the implementation of a concert field trip for the eighth grade class at Horrace Green
should be considered.
 Concert Field Trip Reflection
Name______________

Which performance did you find the most enjoyable? Why?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

List three lessons you learned while talking with the artists.
1)_________________________________________________________________
2)_________________________________________________________________
3)_________________________________________________________________
How do you intend to incorporate these lessons into your own music classes,
academic career, or any other part of your life?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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