* all parts performed by Terry Wigmore: AppleCreek Dulcimer, Bass, Shakers, Wood Blocks, Tambourine, Congas.
Special Note:
A few artists on a different music website have joined a project I called my Wellness Project 2012. This was a grand social experiment that began rather humbly as a few e-mails pursuing artists whose ambient music I was enjoying. I began to wonder whether any observable improvement in the attitudes and behaviours of my class of struggling adolescents could be brought about by giving them time, at certain moments throughout the day, to “decompress” through a few moments of calm during which ambient tracks would be played.
The experiment expanded to include some guided imagery - some narrative mind-disengagement ideas with some ambient music in the background. The conclusion seemed to be a resounding, "Yes!”, attitudes and behaviour can be affected and observed in improved effort and increased (and more positive) engagement in the class. It all starts with attendance and being willing to come to class because they look forward to the Featured Artist portion of the day.
The experiment grew to explore the relationship with the artists themselves as an agent of change. Some artists supplied interviews (both in text and mp3 files) and the extensive e-mails were often used as the basis of our language exercises in class. The effect of building relationships was even more pronounced than with the music alone. So the experiment grew. And a new emphasis emerged: gratitude. The goal of the language part of this activity was for the students to write, in their own hand, notes of thanks to the artists whose music we were enjoying. This expression of gratitude began to have an effect. I know it affected me as I read what the students were writing and sent them off to the various artists. Sometimes it was only a few words, and sometimes they were able to write a bit more. Whether the students wrote a little or a lot, all of it was significant in building relationships with people we didn’t really know, and often from far away places. Our learning community suddenly grew to a global classroom!
Next semester, I hope even more artists will join this amazing experiment in education and wellness. I will be on the lookout for tracks and artists who seem to fit what the students are asking for. I had hoped for just more ambient/instrumental music, but the relationships are the key, it seems, and this transcends genres. People with journeys in their own lives and stories to tell of challenges and overcoming – these are connections with my students and these are the lifelines of hope and modeling that seem to be part of the reason why this year has been an incredible learning experience for me.
Thanks to all who have joined my class, providing music and encouragement. As a result, I have been able to advocate for an expanding role of music in the class and though the emphasis in this class is on the basics of Literacy and Numeracy, it is MUSIC that has brought about the wellness from which all learning springs. That is an amazing conclusion to reach. A few artists wrote extensive letters describing the impact this experiment had on their own lives and these letters were sent to my administrators and found support there so that my music program has been supported and some basic instruments have been purchased to allow the students to have more hands-on engagement with the rhythms and emotions of music creation: Congas, Bongos, Tambourines, Wood blocks, Shakers, Maracas, a Bass guitar, and a Dulcimer. Of course I have to learn all these instruments and that FUN process has led to this track…acoustic instruments for a traditional sound…Folk music seems to be the starting point…simple rhythms, simple melodies, easy to sing, easy to move along the old-time early American Settler experience with this music. That is the track that I uploaded here.
Hope you enjoy not only this track, but all that it represents. Profound and deep are the rivers I have explored with talented and positive musicians and my class of students (The yearbook for the studetns included a CD with selections from the artists we have built relationships with…the students loved the CD…next year…bigger dreams ;)
Terry,
June 2012
I like this Mountain Folk style you have here Terry and the Dulcimer makes a mighty fine sound.
Farrell
Terry, I am loving your style, good sir. This is such a cool piece of music. Really dig the instrumentation. Mighty fine vocals, too. Really happy you are sharing these fine tunes.
kooder