SARASOTA YOUNG VOICES: MOVEMENT COMPONENT

   In this approach, movement is used as an active learning tool to help students understand music concepts such as melody, harmony, beat, rhythm, form and tone color.  We build a coordination base in movement and then apply it to music.  In addition, there is a teaching approach which includes strategies to involve each student actively, to promote creative thinking and applications, to work on problem solving, to promote social interaction, to create an atmosphere where all are equally supported and to make sure that all students feel successful on his/her own level.  The curriculum is based on an approach called “Education Through Movement:  Building the Foundation”, created by Phyllis Weikart of the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation in Michigan.  This approach is based on significant research and is used around the world.  It has proven to be very successful, not only in music but other curricular areas. For more information, please see “highscope.org”. 

The base in movement leads to various areas in the curriculum, one of which is international folk dance.  This in an educational approach to dance using a simple and specific movement vocabulary designed to help beginners achieve instant success.  It is based on the ability to find and keep steady beat, which is a focus for the basic movement approach.  We start with simple created dances and build skills leading to intermediate folk dance.  The dances are accompanied by a quality set of CDs and include dances from a variety of cultures including European, Middle Eastern, African, Canadian, and American.  Not only is it educational, but it is FUN and builds a great sense of community in the group.

About Bev Boardman 

 - Mrs. Boardman is a movement consultant for the Sarasota Orchestra, having taught 28 years in elementary music education in Bradenton.  She has also worked in various schools in the Sarasota area in movement and dance and is a national clinician.  She has taken children’s international folk dance groups to state and national conferences, in addition to participating in local activities such as the Ringling Medieval Fair.