| Chatham Baroque offers a
wide range of innovative and exciting educational activities. From
Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions for very young children to masterclasses
for college students, the ensemble is committed to the highest
educational and performance standards. Chatham Baroque received the
1999 "Early Music Brings History Alive" Award from Early Music America
and the 1999 Logan Award from Penn State Erie, both in recognition of
its outreach programming.
Chatham Baroque's newest auditorium program "A Tour
of Europe" is an interactive performance featuring a guest actor and a
selection of students from the audience (3-5 participants). The actor
takes various roles (peasant, merchant, diplomat, adventurer, royal,
for instance) and the show includes small props to assist the students
in their travels.
The music illuminates skills taught to the students,
featuring several countries: dance in France, swordplay in Italy,
diplomacy in Germany, and seeing as the Baroque period includes the
"Age of Discovery" a trip to the New World. |

Workshop at Elon University
Elon University Photo |
Chatham Baroque Educational Programs
Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions
- appropriate for 2-5 year olds with parents
- 45 minutes
- audience sits on floor
- lots of built-in wiggling opportunities
- pleasant, spacious room required
- limit of 50 children unless narrator (The Lovely Miss
Melody) is present
- limit of 25 children in nursery school or
kindergarten setting
A Tour of Europe
- assembly program with guest actor from the Unseam'd
Shakespeare Company
- 2 versions, one for younger students, one for older
students
- 45-50 minutes
- fascinating, lively skit designed to incorporate the
participation of students on stage and in the audience, featuring a
virtual trip to various European countries and highlighting the
cooresponding music and history of the Baroque
- maximum 400 children (fewer preferable... our
instruments are quiet!)
Renaissance & Baroque Dance Workshop
- Julie Andrijeski leads a workshop about Renaissance
and Baroque dance, which provides an interesting and unusual glimpse of
music and dance in a historical context
- participants are accompanied by the other members of
Chatham Baroque
- fun and informative for any audience, but
particularly appropriate for music students (who have probably played
many menuets, bourees & gavottes, but have no idea what they look/feel
like)
- appropriate for high school and college students, or
motivated junior high school students
- 45-90 minutes
- appropriate for both dance students and also people
with two left feet
Dance & Rhythm Workshop
- with guest percussionist Danny Mallon
- Danny loosens the group up with a series of
increasingly fun and challenging rhythm exercises based on Indian
drumming techniques
- the exercises (besides just being really, really fun)
improve ensemble, teamwork and listening skills
- once the students have decided that we're not a bunch
of stuffy, boring classical musicians, Julie takes over with a segment
on Renaissance and Baroque dance (see above)
- most appropriate for high school and college
students, but works with motivated junior high students
Masterclasses, workshops and lecture/demonstrations
for high school and college students are also available. Students
strengthen listening and ensemble skills in a fun and engaging "hands
on" rhythm workshop, and then gain "feet on" experience learning country
dances of the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Feedback on Chatham Baroque's Work With Students:
"Thank you so much for your professionalism and true
concern for music education. It was a pleasure getting to know and work
with you." (Beth Sears Cox, Artsbridge)
"This was a wonderful assembly! It was an effective
mix of four elements: artistry, presentational skill, educational approach
and involvement of students. We enjoyed the ensemble so much that we
applied for and received a grant to enable the artists to do a five day
residency." (PTA President, Ingram Elementary School)
"Thank you for the special expertise and personal
warmth that you brought to the Governor's School program. The breadth of
your experience and your innovative arts education contributed
substantially to the success of the Governor's School for the Arts."
(Dr. Suzanne T. Snyder, Dean, West Virginia Governor's School for the
Arts)
"Thank you for adding a special dimension to our
music program. Your presentation was well received by students and faculty
alike. We also feel that your involvement of school children is wonderful.
It gives the entire student body and faculty a real sense of ownership of
your presentation. We look forward to future performances." (Jo Ann
DiLorenzo, Music Teacher) |