CONCORA-To-Go
For 20 years until March 2020, CONCORA-To-Go was Connecticut’s only in-school cultural arts program that taught children in K-6 about songs and music from all over the world.
A 45-minute program, “Around the World in Music” led students on a musical journey. Our singers engaged children with song, visual aids, and fast-paced question-and-answer periods. These activities reinforced educational concepts in music, geography, history, and math. The goal of the program is to allow children to open up to new cultures and to begin thinking about singing as something they can enjoy on many levels, today and for the rest of their lives. |
Our quartet collaborated with teachers to tailor the program to each school’s curriculum, theme, or holiday. Studying Asia? Great! The program focused on Asian music and how it differs from Western sounds to which the children are accustomed. Art classes studying Impressionism? Our quartet demonstrated how the artistic movement influenced choral music, too.
Due to barriers with presenting in-person programs to classrooms during the pandemic, CONCORA needed to discontinue these programs. We are exploring options on how to integrate song and music education into school curriculum in the future.
- In December, a holiday program featured songs from various religious traditions.
- For Black History Month in February, our singers presented music from Africa and the AfricanAmerican experience.
- For grades 7-12, our singers met with junior and senior high school choirs. They provided instruction and guidance on how to develop their skills for singing, listening, and applying what they hear and learn to improve their own performances.
Due to barriers with presenting in-person programs to classrooms during the pandemic, CONCORA needed to discontinue these programs. We are exploring options on how to integrate song and music education into school curriculum in the future.