Lincoln music writing residency capped off with concert featuring kindergarteners and first-graders
(12/05/19) A unique artist residency concluded recently at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts in Anoka, which featured kindergarteners and first-graders helping to write songs — from melodies to lyrics — and then performing their creations.
During the month of November, James Hersch, a professional songwriter and teaching artist, took part in a month-long songwriting residency at the school. According to Diane Aldis, Lincoln’s curriculum integrator, during his time at the school, Hersch spent time in the eight kindergarten and first-grade classrooms, where he sang some of his original songs, and explained how musicians sometimes write their own music. Then he worked with each class to collaborate on creating a song of their own — drawing out students’ suggestions for lyrics, rhymes and melodies. See photos of Hersch working with students during the residency.
The residency was capped off Nov. 22 when all eight classes of students and Hersch performed their songs during an assembly for their families.
“It was a pretty amazing residency,” Aldis said. “Everyone — parents and guardians, as well as the teachers and the students all loved the songs. It's a big discovery for our students to realize that they can write songs and that songs don't just come from the internet and movies.”
Aldis said the first-grade classes wrote songs about fractions and how to divide a pizza or cake in halves, quarters and eighths, while the kindergarten songs included lyrics about letter sounds and blending.
“Parents and guardians tell me the kids sing the songs at home as well,” she said. “The arts are powerful allies in helping students not only find joy in singing with their teacher and classmates, but also feel competent and successful when they sing a song they have helped write.”
During the performance, Aldis said the songs were recorded, and teachers will continue to use the songs, not only this year, but with future students in subsequent years as well. “The songs will continue to support both the learning needs and the multi-sensory arts experiences of these grades in the future,” she said.
The residency was funded by a grant from the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF), and may not have been possible without their support, Aldis said.