Group brings afternoon of music to school

Not long ago, Marshall Middle School Auditorium was home to one of the Cultural Arts performances organized through Clovis Community College.

This particular performance was “Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem,” a wonderfully eclectic quartet of talented musicians from the northeastern part of the U.S.

Some of the groups organized by CCC’s Cultural Arts Director Christy Mendoza have an outreach program offered to the schools. This particular group’s school outreach program included a visit to the Arts Academy at Bella Vista during their tour to New Mexico.

AABV’s music teacher Sara Hennessy described to me the experience with the elementary school’s third grade classes. The group has played together many years and demonstrates a unique blend of musical instruments and vocal harmonies that could only have come from the rich cultural mix that is America itself. The string band’s instruments include a fiddle, guitars, double bass, banjo, and ukulele with an unusual drum kit of cardboard boxes, tin cans, caulk tubes, tambourines, a suitcase, and more unique items.

After setting up its instruments in Hennessy’s class to the great interest of the students, the band then shared a number of songs geared toward children. Between songs there was much discussion about music in general, instruments and the importance of oral tradition as songs are passed down from generation to generation.

Music is an inherently important part of this arts-infused elementary school and permeates much of the curriculum. In fact, the school begins each day with the entire school gathering in the performing arts/multi-purpose room for music and announcements.

AABV is also well known for its annual performances of “The Nutcracker,” a spring opera, along with many other arts-infused activities and events throughout the year. The proof is in the pudding, as the quality of performances from this school is amazing.

Music is one of those remarkably universal means of building community, and the visit to Hennessy’s classroom was no different. During a certain folk song the band was singing, the students looked up in surprise at their teacher and joined in on the same song they’d learned, with slightly adjusted lyrics, giving credence to the discussions they’d just had.

It was a delightful afternoon of music for our students who learned much about music in an incredibly creative way; knowledge they won’t forget and an experience that brought to life the very essence of the magic of music.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for the Clovis Municipal Schools. She can be reached at [email protected]