Granoff Music Center was filled with activity today as workshops were held in preparation for next weekend's HONK! festival. Charlie Keil held a teacher’s workshop this morning to brainstorm with teachers about ideas for enhancing music education. Dr. Keil emphasized the importance of instilling rhythmic skills in early education programs and developing a 15-year program for kids to consistently build their musicality and natural musical interest. Even small breaks in the classroom to rehearse a beat or a dance step would build these skills and increase the focus of the children in their studies. Music and physical education should be recognized as disciplines that can be combined for the benefit of the other. It is essential that school programs respect music as a priority in the curriculum, and rethink ways of embedding music, rhythm, and movement into the school day. Dr. Keil is extremely optimistic about the potential of the Somerville schools, even tearing up as he imagined the possibilities of uniting the cultures, traditions, and talents of Somerville children with the help of the schools and community. It was a really productive session; a dialogue that should be continued in the future and spread to more teachers, principals, families, and schools.
Below: Dr. Keil demonstrates basic beats that the teachers can show children to enhance their natural skills to groove.
