American
Popular Music is built on a blend of intensely rich and diverse cultures.
Each culture characterized the essence of life through its music. To
that end, our task in Reaching Beyond is to offer our students a
forum in which to explore the Blues along with some of the earliest
recorded artists. The recognition of the importance of early Blues
and its contributions is critical for obtaining a true understanding of
not only our musical heritage but an understanding of where we came from
and who we are.
In Reaching Beyond , we focus on specific early Blues
compositions and the artist who laid the foundation for contemporary pop
music, the "stuff" that our kids listen to! We identify the common
threads that run through all music, past and present, including the
elements of rhythm, harmony, melody and emotion. We provide the
opportunity for experimenting in creating our our music through
improvisation using the twelve bar blues pattern. Students will be
able to identify chord changes and rhythmic pattern and in minutes,
will be on their way to composing their own songs. They will listen,
improvise and reflect on the emotional aspect of music and the role it
plays in their lives.
Don Cooper and Bob LaValle are music teachers at Helen Keller Middle
School.
Bob La Valle began his study of music at the age of ten. It was during a
summer music program offered at the High School when he first held a pair
of drumsticks and to this day, many years later, continues performing not
only as a school band director but with his very popular dance band,
"Heart Beat". Bob had no other choice for a career. He knew from the
moment he began playing on pots and pans that he was going to drum for a
living and his life would involve music. Drumming led directly into
teaching where Bob has dedicated his entire adult life. He finds the job
extremely challenging which in turn leads to great rewards. Bob says, "To
have an ability to instill the desire to play a musical instrument is a
great way to spend one's life." Teachers have a tremendous ability to make
or break a student. There are many "good" teachers but Bob has a way of
reaching deep into the "spirit of youth" through music.
Don Cooper spent his first 25 professional years as a song-writer,
performer, recording artist, producer, composer and screenwriter in the
entertainment industry, creating and releasing works for record, film and
video. Upon starting a family, he cut down on touring and travel, settled
in Easton, Connecticut, and directed his creative efforts towards
children’s programming, releasing numerous, award-winning audio/book
titles for Random House Publishing, and full length music videos for
WoodKnapp and Good Times Home Video. A local arts advocate group recruited
him to compose material for a town-wide musical, "Greek To Me". The extent
of community involvement in this production brought Easton to the
attention of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and was a prime factor
in its designation of the local elementary school as one of the six
original H.O.T. schools in the state. Mr. Cooper entered the school as a
resident artist and facilitator of the H.O.T. program. The Commission
petitioned him to become a Master Teaching Artist and he spent several
yeas as such, doing long-term residencies in schools throughout the state
while continuing as a permanent Artist in Residence in the local school.
Four years ago, finding his work with children rewarding and in sync with
his own stage of life, he returned to school, gained certification and
became a general music/choral instructor in the Eaton school district, a
position he currently enjoys and plans to continue. Though his performance
schedule is greatly diminished, he continues writing and producing work
for himself and other artists in the commercial market. |
