Tri-M Service Projects 2014 - Murrieta Valley Unified ... · Connecting and recording the musical stories and traditions from the elderly in our ... In businesses and schools, workforces

Murrieta Mesa High School

Tri-M Service Projects 2014

Tri-M Service 2014 2

Past and Present Musical traditions, performances, and history reflect, shape, and at times can challenge cultural norms.

Without an understanding of our past traditions and histories, a growing cultural gap including performance

knowledge, performance practices, cultural traditions, and common references are leaving today’s musicians

at a disadvantage. Connecting and recording the musical stories and traditions from the elderly in our

community will not only help to close research gaps for our students, but also provides important service

components in our community.

For this “Past and Present” service project, interested students will research and provide a list of available

Alzheimer and nursing homes. Questions based on musical history, traditions, culture, and other

performance practices will be developed in a group setting. Using the Communicating With Alzheimer

Patients and Celebrating Senior Storytellers as references, these questions will be utilized as a starting

point. Small group interviews will explore the musical life of our elderly. The length and resources required

for each project are unique to each group.

The Home of the Brave Throughout our nations military history, music has played an important role. During the month of

February, the Murrieta Mesa Instrumental Music Department traditionally celebrates our nations history

through music. Understanding musical traditions in the branches of the military has a rich history in our

country and can provide a path for student success. Also, honoring our active and Veteran’s military service

is critical in a balanced community.

In “The Home of the Brave” service project, interested students will research available VFW and other active

service military branches in our community. Contact addresses are needed to begin to development clear

communication for outreach. This can include performances, concert information, “Past and Present”

contact, guest speakers, or other musical research ideas!

Tri-M Service 2014 3

Professional Development In businesses and schools, workforces are trained in specific details to achieve they goals they what to

achieve. This is called professional development. For musicians this may include how to survive an

audition, to perform in a specific style, what type of reed needed for a bassoon, defining a dance position,

how to bow a specific way, interpretation of a musical genre, guest conductor, etc. Many professional

musicians, artists, instrument repair technicians, vocalist artists, dancers, and more live in our community.

Also, professional speakers, medical professionals, nurses, and those that work with the elderly are

available.

For interested students seeking to develop a “Professional Development” service project, the first step is to

acquire contact lists from your friends and family of the above stated items. These approved contacts would

be asked to come in at lunch, or at other stated times. Small groups would be assigned to each category to

coordinate and make contact. As relevant, the GPAC could be used and the school would be invited.