[blindkid] Fwd: Summer Music Programs

[Carol Castellano]

Hi Everyone,

The following information is from Brunhilde 
Merk-Adam of the Braille Beats summer music program.

Carol

Carol Castellano
Parents of Blind Children-NJ
Director of Programs
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.blindchildren.org
www.nopbc.org

>Hi everyone -
>
>As one of the Founder's of the Braille Beats 
>Fine Arts Program, I wanted to provide some 
>information as a follow-up to Chris's post regarding the program.
>
>Braille Beats was founded 13 years ago by Blind 
>Vision Inc.  The Summer Residential Intensive 
>then became a partnership project of Blind 
>Vision Inc with World Access for the Blind for 
>the past 10 years. Daniel Kish (from World 
>Access) provides Navigation and some Independent 
>Living Skills supports throughout the 
>program.  This includes basic orientation & 
>mobility to flash sonar to the performance 
>logistics assuring independent movement on 
>stage.  The independence and no limits mantra 
>extends through all the elements and venues at 
>the program:Â  classes, mealtimes, cabin life etc.
>
>We take students from 9 through the summer after 
>high school.  Additionally we have a concurrent 
>post-secondary program for older students 
>(started because we had students who wanted to 
>continue once they finished High School...)Â
>
>Degreed music staff provide the Music components 
>of the program - Music theory, music history, 
>rhythm & ear training, music braille/notation, 
>solo & ensemble performance, voice & choir, 
>composition, keyboarding, science of sound, 
>master classes, and practice tips in addition to 
>support for each student's individual 
>instrument.  Each year has a different theme or 
>focus - last year was American Music Part I -- 
>next year will be American Music Part II and will focus on jazz.Â
>We have a casual talent night during the week 
>and a formal recital at the end of the 
>week.  During our instrument 
>introduction/exploration night, everyone has the 
>opportunity to learn about, handle and try out a 
>variety of instruments (which vary from year to 
>year).  Additionally, guest performers who 
>provide a variety of perspectives/experiences in 
>music, instruments and/or careers come during 
>the week. Based on student interest we have 
>performed a musical with everyone participating 
>in vocal, choir, instruments, staging, costume 
>changes and acting.  Each student also 
>participates in the "scale olympics" - a juried 
>competition.  In future, we are hoping to add 
>music technology sessions and are hoping that 
>Bill McCann from Dancing Dots will assist.
>
>Professional artists provide our art experiences 
>which include exploring various media and tools 
>as well as a variety of art forms which varies 
>year to year depending on theme.  A couple of 
>years ago it included making digeridoos which 
>the students also learned to play as part of the 
>music program (World Traditional Music was the 
>theme that year) and then they also performed 
>with their digeridoos as part of the recital 
>performance.  An art exhibit showcasing the 
>student art is held at the end of the week.Â
>
>Movement is a part of everyday and varies from 
>simple breathing/calming & flexibiity exercises, 
>yoga, dance moves, self defense etc.  And as of 
>last year we now have access to a climbing tower and zip line.
>
>Interwoven throughout the program are the more 
>standard independence skills - personal care, 
>organization, social, dining & etiquette, 
>etc.  We have continued to develop our evening 
>career sessions (for music & other careers) by 
>giving students opportunities to work on resumes 
>and practice interview skills with staff experienced in these areas.Â
>
>And we have a divided "girls/guys night out" 
>where the students and our blind staff share 
>pizza while sharing/discussing practical 
>solutions to the "blindness issues" that arise 
>in their day to day lives - from bullying, to 
>transportation, to putting on make-up, to 
>learning how to ask someone on a date, to 
>handling money, dealing with over-protective 
>parents, to learning how to tie a tie 
>etc.  This evening - split into time sections 
>by age with the oldest students staying the 
>longest - provides a base for a introducing a 
>philosophy of independence & grit to "leading the life you want".
>
>Naturally, the students play pranks and have fun 
>while the woods of the camp ring out with the 
>beautiful sounds of music and laughter.Â
>
>
>
>Now having said all the above- 2015 is our 
>sabbatical year and we are taking a hiatus for 
>this year - but we will be back next year in June.Â
>We rent Lion's Bear Lake Camp just north of Lapeer Michigan for the program.
>
>For further 
>information:Â 
><mailto:braillebeats at gmail.com>braillebeats at gmail.com  or look at our website.
>
>Brunhilde Merk-Adam
>Â