Arts Integration with Science and Music at Don Bosco

After a meeting with Dr. Heejung An, and WPU PIR's Triada Samaras and Robin O'Brien in mid-October at Don Bosco Technical Academy, art teacher Ms. Patty Kaminski envisioned a new arts integration project involving music, art and live performance.  When she proposed this idea to the new DB music teacher Mr. Hayden, he became enthusiastic as well.

For the art part of this project, Ms. Kamiski had her students research and emulate master art works, including paintings done by Vincent van Gogh, Keith Haring, and Piet Mondrian. Inspired by these masterworks, students painted acrylic onto plain white buckets.  WPU PIR's Triada Samaras and Robin O'Brien worked together to acquire the art supplies for this project.

In the music phase of this project Mr. Hayden taught the students how to play the "art drums". Using basic rhythms and language the students learned how sound is created with these drums. are preparing a performance for report Card night on Dec 4 at Don Bosco. In the video below Mr. Hayden is drumming with the students.

Mr. Hayden wrote about this lesson and the above video:

"With the seventh grade bucket drumming project, we were working on NJCCCS 1.3 – Performance MU:Pr5 – Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation." 

"In the video seen, we were rehearsing the groups' composition which was built from the ideas of the class. The students were originally sat behind the drums which were already put out, then I asked them what they would like to do. One student said, I want to play my drum. From there, other students added to the idea of moving the drums, how to hit the drums, alterations of speed, etc. What was seen was the end of the day's experiment which was recreated later at the school Science Fair during Back to School Night for the parents, showcasing collaboration, rehearsal techniques, expressive qualities of musicianship, and improvisation."  Mr. Hayden