Residencies

The basic week opens with one or two assemblies (depending on numbers of students) followed by classroom sessions. Jack typically meets with each class from one to three times depending on school size and how you choose to distribute student-artist contact. Some doubling of classes is possible. The final schedule will need to conform to a five 45-min. session per day format. For residencies of five days or more, an evening family concert is included in the cost, or this can be added to a shorter residency for a small extra charge. Below are the workshop formats Jack offers:

American Folk Instruments - (K-6)

A strummin’ and pickin’ time of learning about the folk instruments that have shared our American story: guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin. Jack brings life to the lore, styles and music of these instruments in a fun and informal way. Also included is the harmonica, the dancing limberjack and a foray into the magical boing of the jawharp. To top it all off the kids get to try their hand at playing the rhythm spoons!

Hello to Storytelling - (K-6)

Jack draws on many years as a professional teller of stories to help your kids see the inner workings of stories and how they can be brought to life in the telling. Considerations such as voice/body usage, mental imagery and listening skills are explored along with the three main ingredients of the storytelling experience: story, teller and listener. The story types may include family stories, American tall tales, original or cross-cultural.

Song Spinning - (2-6)

A joyous splash into the mysterious, wonderful world of songwriting! Jack introduces his concept of the “song wheel” using his radio songs like “Velcro” and “Googolplex” to show how songs are born from small ideas and grow. The fun continues as the class dips into the RRRSS tool box and the kids help write their own group song with Jack’s help. Along the way Jack discusses songwriting components and how they blend as a song takes shape.

Brainstorm Soup! - (2-6)

Whether a story is written or told, it starts the same way: with an idea! This session explores the winding path a story takes from the seed-idea and on through the transformations that lead to a full-grown story. Jack shows his “idea notebook” and helps the kids with a group brainstorming exercise which leads to a time of story writing. Students should come armed with paper and pencil. This can easily be expanded into two sessions if needed.

Music All Around Us - (K-6)

Get ready for a fun time of exploring the ways that music hides in everyday life! Jack helps open the students’ eyes to rhythms, melodies and lyrics they encounter every day but perhaps never thought of as music, or the beginnings of it. Along the way he shows and explain a variety of “instruments” found in most homes and give the kids a chance to play some of them. There’s plenty of participation and a lively give-and-take with questions, laughs and music most of us never knew was there!

Costs and Funding

Residency costs depend on a number of factors. For a prompt quote, phone or email Jack with your location, number of students and desired length of residency and he’ll respond as soon as possible. 612.722.1106, jack@jackpearson.org

If you’re a school in Minnesota, you can apply for funding through the Minnesota State Arts Board. www.msab.com. Jack is on their artist roster. It involves writing a grant proposal but can provide significant help in funding Jack’s residency.

Another option is to have an in-house field trip. Each student’s family contributes an easily affordable $1.-$3. and, rather than spending on buses to bring students out, you bring Jack IN! This could fund a day to a week, or even more of quality artist exposure for your students. The in-house field trip is a creative funding approach that works!