child in her orchestra program. Janis feels that connections with school and community serve a vital role in the continu- ation of her music program. Marquette Symphony Orchestra provides opportunities for her stronger students to gain ex- perience playing with better players and more challenging repertoire. The Symphony in return provides instrument les- son scholarships to students that participate. By hosting the Marquette Turkey Trot fun-run that attracts hundreds of par- ticipants, Janis generates funds to pay local studio teachers to provide private lessons, coach sectionals and chamber mu- sic, and support the Upper Peninsula Chamber Festival that she also coordinates. Local restaurants, businesses and clubs (Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.) request her students for special per- formances and subsequently will often provide support for projects like trips or festivals. Northern Michigan Univer- sity is another important partner for the Marquette schools. NMU hosts a Jazz Festival, a weekend UP Youth Orchestra, Michigan School Band and Orchestra events, and an annual “Big String Concert” that involves orchestras from around the U.P. performing next to members of the NMU Orchestra. Many Marquette HS players also participate in NMU mu- sic groups. The music faculty coach sectionals, teach private students, and serve as a valuable school resource. Janis also connects her program with the two local music stores, Jim’s and MacDonald’s, who are ‘friends’ of the Marquette school music program. She uses them as a business resource and they help out by selling event tickets, donating gift cards and providing minor instrument repairs to music families.
Escanaba, Michigan, with a population of 12,616, is site of the U.P. State Fair and home to the Bonifas Fine Arts Cen- ter (
www.bonifasarts.org). Laura Robinson, veteran music teacher of 22 years in Escanaba Schools, has created many school-community partnership opportunities for her stu- dents. She regularly connects curriculum topics with the fea- tured artist at the Bonifas Arts Center. For example, a tour- ing selection of Charles Schultz’s cartoons came through the Center and she exposed students to learning various works of cartoon music, researched the usage of classical music with cartoons and then took students to view the specific ex- hibit at the Arts Center. Another example was a group of me- dieval troubadours who provided workshops, a school per- formance, and concluded with a community performance. Additional connections to the Center include performance opportunities for her Solo & Ensemble students to provide music for an annual Youth Art Exhibit program and “Cham- ber and Chocolate Festival”.
Her middle school band also shares their music with com- munity nursing homes and retirement homes twice a year, the members taking time after the performances to interact with residents and make special connections with them. In addition, residents enjoy a visit from the High School March- ing Band during the Fall. These on-going connections have
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resulted in healthy monetary donations made by residents.
Frequent requests are made from area service groups for performances during luncheon meetings, Veterans Day pro- grams, and memorial services. Her students also connect with community groups in the summer through camps, mu- nicipal groups, special events and parades. Funds for these activities are provided by various sources: Band Boosters; student fundraising; the “Spotlights” (Pa- trons of Performing Arts), which is a group of businesses, parents and other community members, designated 501c3. This group helps with various performances by providing post-concert refreshments, passing out programs, issuing written invitations and promoting the event itself. They also serve as a resource for corporate business support and com- munity grants.
The organization and communication contributing to these numerous partnerships takes a team effort with strong teach- er ideas and motivation, supported by the principal, parents and community. Events, both in and out of school are placed on the school calendar weeks in advance and teachers are informed in a timely fashion. To prepare for these events, Laura begins the school year by establishing small student chamber groups that start rehearsing immediately and give inexperienced students ample preparation time. She believes strongly that students should give back to the community; giving the community a positive impression of today’s youth and their ambition and showing students examples of ways to connect with the community.
Brimley, Michigan, with 1,329 residents, is nestled along the shores of the St. Mary’s River. It is home to the beauti- fully renovated Point Iroquois Light House and some of the best tasting, locally caught whitefish in the U.P. As seen in previous examples, K-12 music teacher at Brimley Area Schools, Liz Burrows connects her instrumental groups with the community through service clubs. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary come to her school each year as part of a Veteran’s Day Program; with the bands each performing special pieces and the elementary students singing as part of the program. The VFWs honor the school by presenting it with the Patriot’s Pen Award and issuing flags to be flown at the school.
Sault Sainte Marie is French for “the Rapids of Saint Mary”. The Saint Mary’s River runs from Lake Superior to Lake Huron, separating the twin border cities. With a popu- lation of 14,144, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan boasts a va- riety of tourist opportunities, with the Soo Locks seeing a yearly average of 10,000 ships pass through, to the active depictions of the fur trading days, to the River of History Museum. The Sault is also the home to Lake Superior State University that provides area residents with collegiate sports
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