- Curriculum Overview
- After School
- Events and Celebrations
- Service Learning and Partnerships
- Special Assemblies
- Mini Courses
Events & Celebrations
Previous Assemblies
"Storytelling Through Music."
Featuring the string group Auricolae. The performance launched a 7 workshop series in which the Primary Circle participated in and culminated with a final assembly. This program was jointly funded by a grant and proceeds from High Spirits.
Storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston
helped us along with our all-school study of Folktales From Around the World. Some of you may know Charlotte – she's been everywhere and is completely captivating.
World renowned jazz violinist John Blake and his quartet
performed their show A Jazz Journey for Youth during our regular assembly time.
Scat singer JD Walter
Scat singer JD Walter performed his amazing vocal gymnastics for everyone. A workshop followed for the 1-2's who are studying jazz.
Headlong Dance Theater
The Bessie Award-winning Headlong Dance Theater performed an informal family-friendly performance in our Grace Rotzel Center. Their performance followed a full day residency at srv where they had performed at assembly and workd with the kindergarten and oldest group (5th and 6th grades). Headlong's work is remarkable for its spirited inventiveness, for its humor, and for its wit. Visit www.headlong.com for more info about the company.
"Headlong is clearly not your typical dance company, with dances in keeping with the troupe's motto
that intelligent experimentation can be compelling and in some cases, hilarious..."
new york times
Local author, Wendy Pfeffer
...recently visited srv and conducted a writing workshop with main circle (3rd and 4th grade) students
Dunya Performing Arts Company
Using art to celebrate life, the workshop connected community through food, farming, culture and art.
On Wednesday, January 4th, primary circle (1st and 2nd grade) students were treated to a west african drum and dance workshop with Jeannine Osayande of the Dunya Performing Arts Company. The focus of the workshop was kakilambe, a traditional harvest dance and rhythm of the baga ethnic group, guinea, west africa. Using art to celebrate life, the workshop connected community through food, farming, culture and art. This special program was funded by our fall fundraiser, High Spirits.
Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas
a consortium of latin american artists, musicians, and teachers
On Friday, December 16, there was a dance/music performance assembly where some of the children shared a bit of what they have learned during the all school cultural study of central america.
Then there was a student exhibit in grace where the children displayed research projects, artifacts, art projects, and other pieces they've learned about.
Following the children's performance a special assembly was held featuring, raices culturales latinoamericanas, a consortium of latin american artists, musicians, and teachers.
Marlon Simon
Latin jazz percussionist and his band
On November 18 the whole school enjoyed a special program on latin jazz and its roots in africa, the caribbean, and in south america given by members of the Marlon Simon Jazz Quartet. Marlon simon is a composer, educator and leader of the nagual spirits. The children participated in the assembly using
congas, chekeres, claves and cowbells. They also learned the meringue. This program was funded through resources raised at high spirits and supports our curriculum of cultural awareness.
You can learn more about marlon simon at his website.
Brought to you courtesy of funds raised at High Spirits!
Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs
perky edgerton
Perky Edgerton, artist and former srv art teacher and parent, and her husband Brian Meunier, sculptor and Swarthmore College professor, were our guests at a special assembly. they spoke with the children about their experiences writing and illustrating the children's book, Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs.
Drums of the World - African drum and dance
with "Doc" Gibbs
On Friday, October 17, we enjoyed a very special program the doc gibbs ensemble, where we learned about the different ways percussion instruments have been used on the african continent for communication. The program also included a stilt walker!
Drums of the World, or Ilu Aiye introduces students to the hand drums and percussion instruments from Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Children will learn how these instruments were used traditionally, how they are used today, and the unique role of the drum as a communication tool. With the addition of traditional african dancers, and the amazing stilt-walker and lots of student participation, the audience will experiences new insights into the role of the drum in african society. the objective of Doc's assembly is to better understand the culture of Africa and African Americans and how music has preserved and enhanced that culture.
This assembly came to SRV through Strings for Schools, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to opening children's minds and hearts to the joys of the world's finest and most enduring music via live, interactive performances in schools throughout the Philadelphia area. For more information log on to www.stringsforschools.org.
If anyone has any ideas for assemblies or other guests to bring to the school, please let jodie know.
