Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Teamwork

Ms. White's Class
Sierramont Middle School. San Jose, California




My friend Stephen is a musician, producer and recording engineer. I acco
mpanied him to San Jose today to record the performances of Sierramont Middle School’s music department, comprised of three orchestras and a choir. Their teacher is the estimable Ms. White.

18% of Sierramont students take a musical elective, whether it be choir or orchestral practice, and it was inspiring to watch these youngsters singing and playing their hearts out (admittedly for school credit.) The school orchestras applied themselves with impressive concentration, and as the school choir sang, their faces were filled with joy.

A sign on the wall of Ms. White‘s class reads ‘Teamwork: Listening, thinking, working together’, and that seemed to sum things up pretty well.

Early musical training is of immense benefit to young minds. It helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning, and students who study the arts receive higher grades and are more successful on standardized tests.

Students of the arts also learn to think creatively and to reject outdated assumptions. Since studying the arts exposes children to other cultures, it teaches them to be empathetic towards others.

In addition, students of music learn craftsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and the concrete rewards of hard work. Crucially, music performance teaches youngsters to conquer fear and take risks, providing them with a means of self-expression.

The dedication of Ms.White was an inspiration. I wish I had had a music teacher like her when I was a teen. This energetic and committed educator moved to San Jose from the American midwest in order to communicate a love of music and foster a sense of co-operation among her students. I must say she has succeeded admirably, and I am certain she will soon be adding to the impressive collection of trophies already decorating the shelves of her music room.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm in her D Period. (:
GO MS WHITE!

Anonymous said...

Can you say amazing?
Oh yes, we can. [=

Anonymous said...

lol, our group suks

Anonymous said...

Hi U guys its Loi and this site is really cool im in Ms.White C period and


MS.WHITE ROCK HARD

P.S. A-ROCK-O BOMB-A ALSO ROCK HARD
I MADE THAT UP MYSELF

Anonymous said...

Whoa. Tight article. :DD

Shiffi Le Soy said...

Hey guyz, thanks for your comments. U R right Ms. White ROCKS! I can see you are all proud, as well as extremely fond of her. She was really kind to us that day, and I was totally impressed by the dedication of all those involved. Keep on rockin'!!

Anonymous said...

Haha yay !
Go F period [=

Anonymous said...

Yup, that's Ms.White all right. Also, everyon probably does know that Ms. White rocks!!!!! I am from her D period class and I sit in the 15th chair as a violin player.

Anonymous said...

omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im in ms. white's D period!!!!!!!
Ms. White is Sooooooooooooo awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

:) we're pro :)
E PERIOD :D

Anonymous said...

whoa this was on my b-day

Anonymous said...

that is pretty sick right there... :D

we're on the INTERNET!! woot!!! AND NO D PERIOD, you're not pro.... E PERIOD'S PRO


period.





GO MS. WHITE!!!
THANKS FOR DISNEYLAND! @

Anonymous said...

WOOT! GO CHOIR ! WE WERE AWESOME IN DISNEYLAND

also; good job to advanced orch & band (:

ms.white rocks !

Anonymous said...

Ms. White rocks ;D

I'm in C Period...woot!

Anonymous said...

I'm in Ms. white's F period :D

Anonymous said...

there's no orchestra picture...

Shiffi Le Soy said...

Hi, the second pic is of the orchestra, but we couldn't show faces, naturally, due to issues of privacy.

Anonymous said...

A period is BETTER then all the other periods!
CHOIR ROCKS!

Anonymous said...

A period is BETTER then all the other periods!
CHOIR ROCKS!

Anonymous said...

c period is cool but miss white


ROCKS







PS:A-ROCK-O-BOMBA ALSO ROCKS

Anonymous said...

YESS!!!! :)we r awesomeee ;]

Anonymous said...

F Period ! (:

churroman said...

surprising.
i never saw this before.
i was absent that day.
yeah.

oh well, GO CHOIR.

Anonymous said...

awww
theres no pic of e period

Anonymous said...

OMG! I just found this. Miss White is my favorite teacher. We just came back from Disneyland and she was awesome! Go orchestra!