NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifePre-K to 8ServiceAcademicsFine Arts
Fifth grade experiences music and art on field trip
Feb 16, 2005 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington fifth-graders journeyed out of the classroom and into the Woodruff Arts Center and the High Museum of Art Tuesday, Feb. 15, for the Lower School’s annual fine arts field trip.
“It was a great field trip. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art each send great materials to use in preparation for the trip,” said Diane Lumpkin, assistant principal and music teacher. “An informed student gains so much more, because he or she is a ble to anticipate the music and the art.”
The ASO concert was themed “Classical Music: A Matter of Style.” Students heard classical music from a 400-year period, and learned how the elments of classical music have evolved over time. Selections were chosen to represent various stylistic periods, and the works of J.S. Bach, Mozart, Sibelius, Debussy, Webern and Stravinsky were highlighted.
According to fifth-grade teacher Carol Mitchell, the students felt that the ASO was dramatic, unique, fun and abstract. Dent Law, Katie Brewster and Ansley McDurmon said they enjoyed learning about the different styles of music. Zachary Vick liked it because he recognized some of the music.
“I liked the way the music told a story without words,” said Maggie Seckman.
Kathryn Wittmeier agreed. “I appreciated the way I was able to imagine a picture of the music.”
According to fifth-grade teacher Perree Collier, the visiting conductor of the ASO did a superb job of relating the elements of music from earlier centuries to music/movies of today.
“Even though it is not ‘cool’ for a fifth grade student to admit that she or she enjoys the arts, I could tell by watching several of the faces that they were enjoying the symphony, especially those students who are in band and/or strings,” she said.
After the concert, the group walked next door to the High Museum for an 11 a.m. audio tour of the special exhibit, “The Art of Romare Bearden.”
“Since I have a love of music, my favorite part of the field trip would have to be the ASO; however, I always enjoy viewing the art of different artists. Bearden had a recurring connection to jazz and blues in his works,” said Collier.
Bearden made art using many different materials, but he was most famous for his collages.
“I thought the huge collage was great,” said Lizzy Gilbert.
Snippets from magazines, photographs, painted papers, foil, posters and art reproductions were among Bearden’s “paints.” He arranged them on paper or board, and then glued them down. Bearden’s subject matter included African American life and traditions; stories from religion, history, literature and myth; blues singers and jazz musicians; and landscapes.
“I enjoyed the art exhibit better than the ASO because I thought it was more interesting,” said Matt Goldin.
Last but not least, the group stopped for lunch at The Varsity at Town Center.
“The children will probably tell you that was the highlight of the trip,” said Lumpkin. “One of my goals is to grow an audience, and this field trip affords us a terrific opportunity to do just that. We are striving to make our students contributing members of society, and to always have a cultural aspect as a part of their lives.”
“It was a great field trip. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the High Museum of Art each send great materials to use in preparation for the trip,” said Diane Lumpkin, assistant principal and music teacher. “An informed student gains so much more, because he or she is a ble to anticipate the music and the art.”
The ASO concert was themed “Classical Music: A Matter of Style.” Students heard classical music from a 400-year period, and learned how the elments of classical music have evolved over time. Selections were chosen to represent various stylistic periods, and the works of J.S. Bach, Mozart, Sibelius, Debussy, Webern and Stravinsky were highlighted.
According to fifth-grade teacher Carol Mitchell, the students felt that the ASO was dramatic, unique, fun and abstract. Dent Law, Katie Brewster and Ansley McDurmon said they enjoyed learning about the different styles of music. Zachary Vick liked it because he recognized some of the music.
“I liked the way the music told a story without words,” said Maggie Seckman.
Kathryn Wittmeier agreed. “I appreciated the way I was able to imagine a picture of the music.”
According to fifth-grade teacher Perree Collier, the visiting conductor of the ASO did a superb job of relating the elements of music from earlier centuries to music/movies of today.
“Even though it is not ‘cool’ for a fifth grade student to admit that she or she enjoys the arts, I could tell by watching several of the faces that they were enjoying the symphony, especially those students who are in band and/or strings,” she said.
After the concert, the group walked next door to the High Museum for an 11 a.m. audio tour of the special exhibit, “The Art of Romare Bearden.”
“Since I have a love of music, my favorite part of the field trip would have to be the ASO; however, I always enjoy viewing the art of different artists. Bearden had a recurring connection to jazz and blues in his works,” said Collier.
Bearden made art using many different materials, but he was most famous for his collages.
“I thought the huge collage was great,” said Lizzy Gilbert.
Snippets from magazines, photographs, painted papers, foil, posters and art reproductions were among Bearden’s “paints.” He arranged them on paper or board, and then glued them down. Bearden’s subject matter included African American life and traditions; stories from religion, history, literature and myth; blues singers and jazz musicians; and landscapes.
“I enjoyed the art exhibit better than the ASO because I thought it was more interesting,” said Matt Goldin.
Last but not least, the group stopped for lunch at The Varsity at Town Center.
“The children will probably tell you that was the highlight of the trip,” said Lumpkin. “One of my goals is to grow an audience, and this field trip affords us a terrific opportunity to do just that. We are striving to make our students contributing members of society, and to always have a cultural aspect as a part of their lives.”
