School-Community Partnerships: A U.P. Perspective
Cathy Wilkinson
When visiting Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, one is struck by its overwhelming natural beauty. From Lake Superior (“Gitche Gumee”), the largest fresh water lake in North America, to the 48 feet high Tahquamenon Falls near Newber- ry, to the 42 miles of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, to the mountains of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Upper Peninsula is ablaze with visual wonders.
The U.P. also
abounds in historical richness through its pres- ervation of fur trading colonies, ore mining de- pictions, Native American museums and reno- vated historical buildings. These are year-round destinations for tourists including campers and sightseers during the summer and skiers and snowmobilers during the winter. The economic success of many communities depends upon the partnerships created by these natural phenome- na and the tourist industry. Partnerships are also created between musical institutions and vari- ous community agencies. The purpose of this article is to share information that was gathered through emails and phone conversations regard- ing school-community partnerships of music teachers in a selection of U.P. towns. Respond- ers included elementary, secondary and univer- sity instructors.
U.P. Music Programs and Collaborations— West to East
Norway, Michigan has a population of 2,845 and is far enough west to be in the Central Time Zone. It was the birth home to notable jazz
musician, Art Van Damme and is home to the fighting Knights of the Norway/Vulcan Area Schools where Greg Hunt has served as the 5-12 grade instrumental instructor for the past 16 years. Similar to other music programs dis- cussed in this article, Greg’s school-community partnerships are quite typical for many small town bands. His bands regularly play for service groups (Lions, Rotary, Women’s Club), march in holiday parades (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day) and provide the National Anthem and taps for various events. Additionally, the school’s 684-seat auditorium is the venue for an annual Jazz series, where professional jazz groups share community concerts, provide stu- dent workshops and feature the high school jazz band as the warm-up band for the public con- cert. Greg’s students also play alongside com- munity members in summer music programs.
Marquette, Michigan, home to Northern Mich- igan University and the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, with a population of 21,355, was named in honor of the French Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette. Having an annual snowfall of nearly 150 inches, Marquette is the perfect area to host winter events, including the U.P. 200 Sled Dog Race. It has also been the home of public school orchestra teacher Janis Peter- son for the last 37 years, during which time she has built a wealth of school-community partner- ships through her strong advocacy for the arts. She prides herself in residing in a small town where many community members have had a
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