Framingham Fine and Performing Arts
Outstanding Arts Education for Every Child
March 1, 2019
PUTTING IT TOGETHER - Stephen Sondheim
The month of March is the month we put all the arts together to celebrate. The March Madness of Athletics has nothing on us! Events include the high school entry into the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild's One Act Festival, the All State Conference in Boston with music teachers in attendance and a student in the orchestra, our own K12 visual art show at the public library with an opening reception on Wednesday night featuring entertainment by our own high school Acapella group, the Youth Art Month exhibits in Boston and Worcester and a music in our schools concert at the end of the month. There is madness for everyone!
Animal Farm
Framingham High School Drama Company
On Saturday March 2 in the height of a snowstorm Framingham High School performed at Wayland High School as a part of the METG Annual One Act Play Festival. Framingham's production of Animal Farm was selected to move to the semi final round on March 16. That festival will be held at Framingham High School. Six shows will compete that day for a slot at finals to be held at the end of March.
In addition to moving onto semi finals the show was recognized with two acting awards and an award for our pit musicians as well as the hair and make-up design.
Congratulations to the staff, teachers, directors, cast and crew!
Elementary
Music Teachers
Reminder March 7 PD for the BSO trip at Dunning
Feel free to add some refreshments to the link below.
See you then!
Youth Art Month Celebration at the Transportation Building
Youth Art Month in Worcester
Our student art is on display across the Commonwealth
McCarthy
Art with Lynn
Recorder class with Kelsey
Barbieri
Jack gets grade four students ready for our BSO trip
Dr Dzubay
The fabulous Jack Corbett wrote to Dr Dzubay, One of his pieces Ra! will be performed by the BSO on March 27 when 800 grade four students attend a student concert. Jack sent the email below and Dr. Dzubay responded!!
Hello Dr. Dzubay,
We are a 4th grade music class from Framingham, MA. We will be listening to a performance of your piece, Ra!, while we are on a field trip to the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the end of March.
We just listened to a recording of your piece on your website, and we have some questions we are hoping you will be able to answer:
How long did it take you to compose Ra!?
About 5-6 weeks, if I remember right. It was composed as the first of four movements in my piece called “sun moon stars rain.” But the first movement is called Ra! When it is played by itself.
Why did you want to become a composer? What or who inspired you to be a musician/composer?
I began composing in High School, writing pieces to play with groups I was playing trumpet in – brass quintet, jazz ensemble, band. I went to a performing arts high school in Portland Oregon, and we had a great music program. I was fortunate to have some wonderful teachers introducing me to great music in many different styles. My parents also encouraged me and always had music playing at home – lots of jazz and classical.
Why did you chose Ancient Egyptian gods as a theme for your piece?
It didn’t start that way! As I mentioned, I was writing a movement about the sun. I thought about what “hot” or “bright” sounds I could get from the orchestra, and somehow started imagining a big ceremony of sun-worship in the desert. The Egyptian sun-god, Ra, seemed a perfect focus for the music, so I ran with that.
What is your favorite part about teaching composition?
I am very lucky to work with some of the best young composers in the country at the IU Jacobs School of Music. Composers have to be largely self-motivated and really dedicated to learning the craft, but I can provide some insights and perspective gained through years of experience. There is a lot that I enjoy about the whole process, and in a way, both me and the student are lucky to be able to spend our time and energy working to create a piece of music that hopefully then is brought to life by musicians and then communicates something to the audience. When I student has a success with a new composition, that makes all the time and work worth it.
What advice do you have for us as young musicians?
Explore. Learn about many kinds of music. Follow your own path and make sure it is a joyful one. And of course, practice, practice, practice!
Dr. Dzubay, we really appreciate your time in answering some or all of these questions. We are really excited about hearing your piece performed live!
Sincerely,
Mr. Corbett and 4th Grade Diamond Group
Barbieri Elementary School
Framingham, MA
Beth works through stations in her art class
Her students are using masking tape, saran wrap and alcohol to experiment with paint
This work will be used as evidence for one of Beth's student learning goals!
Jillian meets her students wherever they are!- literally
Hemenway
Amy Brown is recognized as a Woman Making History Now by Framingham State
Middle Schools
Fuller
Jess works with some budding playwrights in Drama class
Masks were everywhere in the district this week
Alan joins in on a Turn and Talk in chorus at Fuller
Cameron
Some beautiful masks being created in Drama at Cameron
Puppets tell stories through shadow work at Cameron as well
PD- peer observations in art
All Schools
Please give this a good read. I will be on the lookout for these in your classrooms!
Language Objectives in the Arts Classroom
FHS teachers- Chris will be looking for these on his arts walk-thrus as well.
Language Objectives
These objectives involve the four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), but they can also include:
- the language functions related to the topic of the lesson (e.g., justify, hypothesize)
- vocabulary essential to a student being able to fully participate in the lesson (e.g., , locate, highlight)
- language learning strategies to aid in comprehension (e.g, questioning, making predictions).
- Visual Art: Students will be able to read descriptions of the design concept of their plaster masks
Music: Students will be able to compare and contrast two measures of music to define the dynamics in each
Theatre: Students will be able to make predictions about a character's journey based on the exposition of a play or scene and write a five line monologue in the characters voice.
Ok teachers- your turn- play ! Ask me for for help or reach out to your EL department at your school- they are always willing to help.
This will be an expectation at every school for 2019-2020 so let's start the conversation now.
FPS Annual K12 Art Show
Framingham Public Library
Reception March 6
5:30-9:30
Please plan to join us. Your Principals have all been invited!
Framingham High School
The FHS Freshmen Band and Concert Band had a special guest conductor on Thursday!
Theatre Classes at FHS
Chris teaches Stanislavski's The Magic If
Yup!
Everything starts in a circle in a Theatre class
Curriculum Night at FHS
Caroline gets the art display ready for curriculum night at FHS
The FPA displays are always beautiful
Andy's table celebrates our new marching band uniforms
Arts Announcements
Free Course for Art Teachers- all disciplines!
Public Comment Draft of Arts Framework Released
As the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education prepares for its meeting on February 12, DESE posted the Public Comment Draft of the revised ArtsFramework on its website this week. You can read the memorandum regarding the draft document here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/bese/docs/fy2019/2019-02/item5.html.
Americans For the Arts
Massachusetts Dance Education Organization
A grant opportunity for you and a math friend.
This should be on your radar as soon as we get back
Painting with Magnets
Magnet lesson
Donna Wresinski
Email: dwresinski@framingham.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/Domain/74
Location: 73 Mt Wayte Ave, Framingham, MA, USA
Phone: 508 782 7701
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FraminghamFPA/