(Press release)

Blair Williams, Director of Orchestras at Midway ISD, is smiling from ear to ear these days. On September 15, she was informed that the Midway ISD Orchestras were the recipient of a Student Achievement Grant from the National Education Association Foundation. The $5,000 grant will teach students improvising melodies, variations and accompaniments.

The idea about applying for the grant came from Dr. Michael Alexander, Associate Professor for String Music Education at Baylor University. He was instrumental in assisting the Midway Orchestra directors, Ms. Williams, Mr. Matt Cross, and Mr. Terence Guerrero, in outlining how to devise and implement the new instructional curriculum.

Improvisation is listed as one of the nine National Standards for music education. In addition, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills call for students to perform and create. Improvisation has been recommended by our national government and is an effective way to meet the Texas Essential Knowledge and skills requirement in this area. Beyond the national and state standards, the ear to hand development that improvisation offers is an excellent way to incorporate ear training in our music classes!

“It is the responsibility of music educators to expand the knowledge base of our students,” said Ms. Williams. “If we don't expose our students to those styles other than current "pop" fashion, those arts may soon cease to exist.”

The first goal is for students to be able to improvise short melodic passages over a basic harmonic accompaniment without fear of failure. This will be measured by the successful completion of the curriculum by each student.

Secondly, Mr. Alex Parker, Director of Jazz Studies at Baylor University, will be working with the students to have each student interact musically and experiment with developing techniques. The third goal is to recognize elements of their own improvisations in those of a guest artist.

The Midway Orchestra department is excited about this wonderful opportunity to implement this new and exciting curriculum in their classes.