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There are two types of outreach:
1. Demonstration-Apprenticeship Format - This format works one on
one with the students and takes a little more preparation on the part of
the presenter. The duo may work with the students in a master class
setting where the students play a solo they are working on and the duo
works with them in front of the other students. It may also incorporate
one on one lessons with individual students and is accessible to adult
students as well. A well organized outreach may culminate in a duo solo
with a student orchestra accompaniment.
2. Lecture-Demonstration Format - This format is the most
popular and is not only great for assemblies but is equally accessible to
the community and non-music students. The duo performs and also lectures
about the pieces and the instruments in an effective, entertaining, and
informative outreach. It is an open performance where the
students/audiences participation is included through question and answer
with the performers.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. An
increased understanding of written music’s origins.
2. An
increased understanding of all musical style’s common basic structure.
3.
Exposure to a “humanities” concept of joining together acting, dance,
and history to create art.
4.
Develop improved audience skills.
5. An
increased understanding of the art of musical performance.
6.
Improved personal skills in the art of musical performance.
7. An
increased appreciation for the beauty visually and audibly of master
crafted musical instruments.
8. An
increased understanding of the development of the modern stringed
instrument.
Cross
Discipline Connections:
Applications and connections can be made in many subjects including:
Language, Drama, History, Literature, and Science. For example; a science
class could study how the great scientist Pythagoras counted the
vibrations of a string per second and defined the overtone series. This
led to tremendous leaps in music composition and performance. A language
class could study the effects that a language’s rhythm has on its native
music.
Educators
Speak Out
I think every school should invite the Bottom Line Duo to perform for
their students. They have performed for the students at Mt. Baker Middle
School for two years now, and the students are constantly asking when the
duo will be returning. They keep the audience entertained the entire
time. The students, teachers, and administration were amazed at how fast
the time flew while enjoying the show. The students were disappointed to
end class when the Duo performed.
As a teacher, I am
thrilled to have found a performing group that can entertain the students
every year. They have such a vast knowledge of literature that every
class heard different repertoire from the previous class. Their sense of
humor and anecdotes make the performance memorable for the students. The
students learned about various musical styles and composers without even
trying!
I believe that
the Bottom Line Duo will soon be a major performing group with a very full
performing schedule. I hope that they will still be able to fit in a
visit to Mt. Baker Middle School. We are among greatness here, folks!
Book them while you still can!
Melinda Wharton
Mt. Baker Middle School Orchestra
May 21,
2004
Dear
Spencer and Tracy,
Our Band,
Orchestra and Music Survey classes today (and we had over 150 in one class
presentation) were riveted by your playing and your presentation. You
both have an enjoyable and humorous presentation, which students enjoy
tremendously. You also impart your own expertise and obvious love of
music to them. I am impressed by how you present a fascinating
performance and describe in understandable terms what the music is
about. Spending time talking with our students and answering their many
questions impacts them greatly.
My
principal, Dr. Jim Noddings and our administrative staff, and faculty are
very impressed by both of you and keep asking me to bring you back.
I
appreciate your outreach to schools. It’s so important for our students
to see and hear what you are doing, and to see something outside of their
own experience. It’s also a pleasure for me, as a musician, to just enjoy
your performance and your repartee with each other. I feel that all of us
today had a concert hall experience in the Orchestra room at Nelsen Middle
School.
I can’t
thank you enough for what you're doing by these presentations, and I will
highly recommend you to all of my music colleagues!
Sincerely,
Lauren
Daugherty
Nelsen
Middle School Orchestra
ldaugherty@renton.wednet.edu
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Educators Speak Out
I teach
string music in the Port Angeles schools. My assignment covers grade 4
thru 8. I also direct the North Olympic Youth Symphonies.
I have attended several performances of the Bottom Line Duo in the
schools, where they have performed for the general student body as well as
presentations directed at string classes only. Their ability to engagethe
audience is unique. They are a fine, professional duo; but they also
know how to pull off an entertaining show. The variety of the music is
engaging; their banter keeps the students attention. While they come
totally prepared with a program, I have seen several situations where they
easily adapted to the audience.
The North Olympic Youth Symphonies sponsors a master class every other
year in Port Angeles. We always try to engage the Bottom Line Duo as
teachers for this event. They are masters on their individual instruments
and fine ensemble coaches. They are able to quickly adjust to the needs
and levels of a variety of students. I have seen a totally unprepared
student perform for them and they made the situation a positive growth
experience where everyone left smiling and the better for the experience.
These two are master musicians, gifted teachers and wonderful human
beings.
Phil Morgan-Ellis
To whom
it may concern:
Spencer
and Traci Hoveskeland have performed for my orchestra classes about every
three years. I wish we could have them more often. Educationally, it is
a unique opportunity to hear a professional bass player. It is even more
unusual because most students have not heard a bass and cello play as
duet. The students enjoy it tremendously because the music, while
serious, is presented in an entertaining way. The interaction between
Spencer and Traci as they play is so wonderful. The students love it. My
bass players are especially inspired and stay inspired months after the
concert.
Spencer
performed as soloist with the Capital Area Youth Symphony for the
November, 2003 concert and three children’s concerts. For the children’s
concerts, following the solo, Spencer and Traci performed a shortened
version of what they do for my classes. These students, grades 4-8, both
music and non-music students, loved it, and their classroom teachers were
thrilled with the concerts, especially the duet part that Spencer and
Traci did. Many teachers sought me out to thank me for the opportunity to
bring their classes.
Robert
Pendergrast
Orchestra
teacher
Olympia
Public Schools
Music
Director
Capital
Area Youth Symphony
To whom it may concern,
I have the great pleasure of being familiar with the work of the
Bottom Line Duo. As the orchestra teacher at Shorewood H.S. and
Einstein M.S. (in the Shoreline School District), I have had the Duo give
performances, clinics and workshops in my orchestra classes on several
occasions.
First of all, both Spencer and Traci Hoveskeland are outstanding and
accomplished musicians on their respective instruments, string bass and
cello. The students have always been very impressed with their skill and
musicianship. As a duo, they present an incredible array of musical
styles, performing original works and arrangements of everything from
“Classical” to “Pop” music. Again, this is extremely entertaining and
stimulating for the students, and I have been amazed as well at the
virtuosity and showmanship of the presentations. The Bottom Line Duo’s
performances have inspired and motivated not only bass and cello players,
but anyone who hears them.
Spencer and Traci have also done a wonderful job of coaching and
giving clinics to student soloists and ensembles. Their hands-on
experience, sense of humor, and helpfulness have had immediate positive
results. I highly recommend their work, and believe that the Bottom Line
Duo is a valuable resource for my orchestra program.
--
Dan Wing
Orchestra Director
Shorewood H.S.
dan.wing@shorelineschools.org
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