Willson & McKee
Programs
Elementary Programs
All programs are curriculum based; standards and benchmarks are available
on request. Study Guides also available.
"Willson & McKee
brought cultural and musical education to a new level for our
students in all five public elementary schools."
- Waneen Polly Executive Director Arrow Education Foundation
Elementary Assembly
Assembly programs are a fun way for us to spend a short amount of time in
a school,
and offer them a great performance, which includes participation,
education
and fun! 45-50 minutes.
Workshops
Workshops are another way to meet with students in a more intimate setting.
Working
with classrooms or small groups up to 50 students, up to four student
contact
periods (50 minutes) per day.
3-5 Day Residency
The goal of a Willson & McKee residency
is to expose as many students as possible,
to the music and dance of Ireland and Scotland, as well as a concentrated
experience
with a core group. Core groups (100 students maximum) meet with the
artists a
minimum of three times over the course of the residency (sample schedules
available).
This core group ends with a final ‘Ceili’ where they
share the skills they have learned
with the entire school, parents and community.
High School Programs
Music Students: We offer cultural
and educational programs for band/choir
classes. This can include workshops
on our unique folk instruments, culturally
specific music theory, traditional
songwriting styles and/or music as a career.
Language Arts Students: Working
with students interested in writing,
we cover traditional poetry and
songs from Ireland and Scotland. Winning
awards in both countries for
our compositions, this introduces students to the
unique styles of these
cultures.
College Music/History & Adult
Programs
Adult Informances: Similar to our educational
programs for kids, but geared
to adults. Elder Hostels, adult education,
continuing education, college programming,
library programming, senior
citizens programs, cultural event programming.
All Ages: Ceili Dancing is the social dancing of Ireland and Scotland. It is appropriate
for all ages, especially fun for families. Cross-generational events are simple
enough for children and grandparents to participate together. Adult only classes
are geared to the more interesting and challenging dances. No partner or dancing
experience necessary.
Community Folk Arts
Integration Programming
Community immersion is a target program
for us. This incorporates some or
all of the above, concluding the
educational work with a community concert.
The
intent of this program is the inclusion of as many community members
as possible
during our visit, raising awareness of the arts, music, dance, and
cultural
enhancement. Recruiting local talent or students we have taught,
reconnecting
families, cross-generational activities, and cultural investigation into a
community’s’ unique heritage.
Our performances range from short cultural presentations, to full two set
concerts. Always educational, always entertaining, always premier musicianship
combined with fun and audience accessibility! Adaptable to any venue, any size
audience, any age group, and any event. Non-profit status is available for artist fees.
Dear Ken and Kim:
I can’t say “thank you” enough for your Celtic/Folk music presentation yesterday. As you could tell, our almost 200 1st through 4th graders were absolutely delighted with the music, dancing, singing, and the wonderful display/explanation of unique instruments. I have kids coming to me excited about what they saw, heard, and learned!
Additionally, I have had numerous teachers comment to me that you are the best Young Audience performance they’ve had in a long time. They’ve explained that your entire presentation dovetailed nicely with our music curriculum, as well as reinforced several other area of class room curriculum. They were delighted! As one teacher stated, “They would appeal to kids from kindergarten through high school, not to mention to adults of all ages.” That was apparent by the participation you had from kids and adults!
Wilson and McKee has provided Target Range School students with a quality glimpse of how interesting and fun music, dance, singing, and history can be, whether actively pursued or passively enjoyed, whether done as an individual or in a group. I don’t doubt that most every student went home to his or her parents with a story of what fun they had and what they learned.
Finally, students can be a challenge to keep focused in a large group. You handled the crowd of almost 200 exceptionally well, and did it in a war and caring fashion. Their eye remained on you throughout the 50 minute period, and they’d have asked questions of you, for another half hour if time would have permitted!
Thank you, from all of us. We look forward to having you back one day!!
Sincerely,
Michael A. Magone, Superintendent Target Range Schools Missoula Mt
