Upcoming Events
Wednesday, Nov 16
PAC Meeting
5:30pm
Nov 23-25
Thanksgiving Break
(No School)
|
Conservatory Lab
25 Arlington Street
Brighton, MA 02315
617.254.8904
www.conservatorylab.org
|
|
|
| Family Notes
November 11, 2011
|
 |
Dear Families,
Knowledge and passion are contagious. They spread through relationships built around creating quality and joy. As a school community, our job is to create a fertile environment where students have access to expert knowledge and opportunities to share their enthusiasm for learning with one another.
In each learning expedition at Conservatory Lab, students interview one or more community experts, professionals whose vocation relates to their studies. These experts share their work, teach students skills, and answer questions that help the students in their investigation. Often the relationship continues as experts become mentors to the students during the creation and revision of their products.
Sometimes students become experts for one another. This week groups of Bernstein Orchestra students have been visiting Dudamel Orchestra rehearsals to learn how the older students rehearse. The younger students are captivated by the passion, focus, and skill that has brought their older peers to perform at the Statehouse, and they are eager to absorb this culture of excellence.
As our students learn from experts of all ages and backgrounds, they are developing the habit of seeking knowledge from its source. They are learning to ask questions and pursue answers. This is the what Expeditionary Learning calls, "the primacy of self-discovery," equipping students to become lifelong learners.
Warmly,
Diana Lam
Head of School
|
 |
|
Wampanoag Dancer and A.R.T. Playwright Visit 3rd Grade
Have you ever heard of the giant  Moshup? According to Wampanoag legend, he was a friendly giant who lived among the Wampanoag people on Martha's Vineyard before the first European settlers arrived.
As part of their Learning Through Music expedition, Way Back When, 3rd graders are writing and producing a play about the good giant Moshup. This week, they welcomed two special experts to help them. On Monday, Annawon Weeden, founder of the Wampanoag Singers and Dancers, enthralled students with traditional Wampanoag stories and taught them Wampanoag songs and dances to incorporate into their play.
On Thursday, Brendan Shea of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T) conducted a scriptwriting workshop with students. After brainstorming the elements of a good play, students set to work writing dialogue to bring the story of Moshup to life. Stay tuned for news about the play, which promises to be a gigantic success.
|
|
|
Dudamel Orchestra at the State House
On Tuesday, the marble halls of the State house rang out with the music played by the Dudamel Orchestra from the Conservatory Lab Charter School and two virtuoso musicians of From the Top's Center for the Development of Arts Leaders.
The students were the guests of Rep. Alice Peisch, Co-chair, MA Joint Committee on Education. The audience enjoyed each of the selections played by the Dudamel Orchestra: Ode to Joy, Pachelbell's Cannon, My Funny Valentine and Dragon Hunter, as well as the brilliant Passacaglia by Handel-Halversen, a duet played by a young violinist and cellist- part of the From the Top group. State Representative from Brighton, Kevin G. Honan addressed the young musicians with complimentary and uplifting words before their performance, citing recognition of their hard work and remarkable progress. Audience gathered not only around the Grand Staircase where the performance took place but was also present in each of the Representatives chambers as the strains of music wafted up and around the halls.
This performance was a joint venture underwritten by the Hunt Alternative's Fund to bring recognition to the artistic talents of young people in the Commonwealth. The concert at the State House was specifically to make our key legislators aware of the importance of arts education in the overall education of every student. The Conservatory Lab and From the Top students were excellent representatives and advocates of this initiative. Bravo!
|
|
|
First Assembly: A joyful gathering
Thank you, everyone, for a great first assembly on Friday, November 4th! The students did a wonderful job filing in to the gym singing. After everyone (including many families) arrived, Ms. Lam opened the whole school assembly.
Ms. Sevelius had asked every teacher to name three songs their class could lead and then drew several, one by one, out of a jar. The chosen class then stood to lead/teach the rest of the school their song. In between songs, Ms. Sevelius shared the learning moment of the month² from each grade. The students then filed back to class the way they had come in: singing.
The next assembly will take place on Friday, December 2nd at 9:00 a.m. sharp! It will be a bit longer with, possibly, more elements: student performances, performances by resident artists, class presentations. Stay tuned to the Family Notes to know what is upcoming in Assembly. We welcome all families to come and join our chorus!
|
|
|
Community Concerts
On Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. Resident Artist Levi Comstock will perform with the Orpheus Singers at Emmanuel Church in Boston.
|
|
Overheard at Conservatory Lab
"I just had to send you a note to say - WOW! The rehearsal was incredible. Yes, the kids sounded great, and yes David is a wonderful musician and leader, but [holy moley] - the whole orchestra was like 1 being! I've never seen anything like it. They were so attentive and even though it was the end of the day, they were so alert and were having such a wonderful time.
Seriously, WOW! You guys can charge admission for those chairs in the back because what I saw yesterday was uplifting on a whole new level."
-Visiting musician, after watching a Dudamel Orchestra rehearsal
|
|
