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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. - Pablo Picasso, 1881 - 1973

The Graphic-Advocate

2 • Wednesday,

Fine Arts

February 24, 2016

The Graphic-Advocate

Fine arts help fine tune students’ skills, proponents say By Erin Sommers Graphic-Advocate Editor Leon Kuhner doesn’t have any problems talking about the longterm benefits of the fine arts. Kuhner, director of the Iowa Alliance for Fine Arts Education, runs down the list in a practiced manner – arts participation boosts literacy, engages students, develops critical thinking skills, improves school culture, helps students be more successful at their jobs after graduation, promotes creativity, collaboration and problem solving, and teaches children perseverance and even civic engagement. But don’t just take his word for it, he says. The research backs him up. Take, for example, the Turnaround Arts program, a nationwide look at what impact arts

education – music, art, speech, theatre – can have on low-income, low-performing schools. A Des Moines elementary school was one of eight schools from across the country selected to participate in the pilot project a few years ago. “They did arts-infused education,” Kuhner said. “Math, science, reading (all used) the arts as a basis to teach those other subject areas.” The results? Reading scores at the school increased by 52 percent from 2012 to 2014. Math scores went up 17 percent. Out of school suspension dropped by 50 percent. Daily attendance went up to 96 percent. And even parents’ behavior changed, with parent-teacher conference attendance increasing to 98 percent. That incorporating arts into classrooms is beneficial “is one of those things you know,” but don’t always have the data to back

South Central Calhoun High School band students practice during class Feb. 11. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

Nic Englin plays trombone during a South Central Calhoun High School band class Feb. 11. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

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up, Kuhner said. “(Students) are engaged. They get to collaborate using the power of movement. It makes the other subject areas come alive.” Education officials at the state level are taking note, Kuhner said. There’s some push to switch from a focus on STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – to STEAM, with art as the extra letter in the new acronym. “That connection between the sciences and the arts, when you’re in fine arts, you look at problems differently,” he said. One reason for that is the distinction between academic classes, where students are typically striving to get the right answer, and in arts, where interpretation is a bigger component, he said. That process helps students develop refining skills, thinking critical-

ly about the problem before than and requiring them to discard extraneous information. Students in theatre, for example, also have to learn to be accountable for their time by meeting specific deadlines to memorize scripts and planning to attend practice. As a former band director, Kuhner said he was publicly accountable within the first week of school, when his band would play at the first home football game. “It’s very real-world,” Kuhner said of the way students learn to meet deadlines and perform publicly. “Everything is very authentic. Everyone gets to hear what it is. It changes how you think and changes how you teach.” And, unlike in some sports, in fine arts, no one sits on the bench, he said. A band has parts for people of all skills levels, and in the end, everyone is responsible for the end product. That’s incentive for students to learn to help each other, Kuhner said. “It gives every kid ownership,” he said. Kuhner also pointed to research by Michigan State University Professor Robert Root-Bernstein, which recorded specific connections between Nobel Prize winners in math and science and arts skills. Again, Kuhner said, the connection seemed obvious to people who work in the arts, but Root-Bernstein “had the research to back it up.” South Central Calhoun School District parents said they see the benefits in their own children’s lives. A handful of parents talked about their children’s fine arts experiences at the February Fine Arts Booster Club meeting. “The things that they learn in fine arts are things they can do for the rest of their lives,” booster member Amy Westcott said,

Fine Arts

The Graphic-Advocate

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 • 3

Teachers, students and even researchers say participating in fine arts helps students build life skills and improve academically, as well as gives students a hobby they can use long after graduation. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS adding her daughter sang in high school, brief ly joined a college choir and still sings with groups when she can. “She’s always looking for opportunities that she can do some of these things.” Heidi Billmeier, another fine arts booster, said she and her dad often talk about another ad-

vantage of fine arts, particularly when compared with team athletic pursuits. “A lot of sports you need somebody to do something with you,” Billmeier said. Most artistic and musical pursuits can be enjoyed alone, she said.

Fine arts also introduces students to other children they might not normally see in the classroom. “They have so many more friends,” Westcott said. “It seems like it’s universal. Everyone can be a part of it if they want to.” Parents and SCC teachers agreed the district is supportive

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Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. – Plato

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of the arts. The district is also successful – high school bands and the speech team, for example, routinely advance to state competitions. “It’s a long tradition,” band director Tom Plummer said of competition wins, first for Southern Cal, then as SCC. “Tradition is

hard to build. It takes a long time of groups being successful. Then more people want to get involved in that.” That success translates into “a lot of support here in the community,” he added. “It’s a wonderful thing.”

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4 • Wednesday,

Fine Arts

February 24, 2016

The Graphic-Advocate

Art provides an equalizer, creative outlet for high schoolers By Erin Sommers Graphic-Advocate Editor On a busy day, South Central Calhoun High School students often find a reprieve in Jeri Woodward’s art classroom. “It’s kind of a stress relief when

I come in here,” junior Sidney Kelley said. “I lose myself in it. I forget about anything that was bothering me.” S o p h o m o r e M a d d ie Ne a l agreed. “It’s really calm,” Neal said of coming to art classes. “It’s the most fun and entertaining class.”

Sidney Kelley shows an unfinished portrait she is drawing. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

An added bonus, Neal said, is the absence of homework. “We get to talk more,” she added. “We get to express ourselves. We give each other ideas of what we think would look good.” Woodward smiled as the students talked about their reasons for taking her elective courses. She does aim to create a comfortable, fun atmosphere, while at the same time teaching her students the basics of art and more complicated methods as they progress. The class can be an equalizer of sorts for high schoolers, junior Jordan Ludwig said, bringing together students who don’t usually take classes, and sometimes showing students with high academic achievements aren’t always great at art. Woodward said she does see her students working on academic concepts in her classroom, though. “There’s actually a lot of math involved, and English and science,” she said. Ceramics, for example, involves a lot of science, while drawing incorporates the need to understand ratios and proportions. “Sometimes, when I’m drawing, I’ll look at things and I will use a pencil to measure,” Kelley said, adding that helps her get the proportions correct. “You don’t really think about it consciously,” junior Kjersti Olson added. “It becomes more intuitive.” She offered another reason to enjoy art class. “When you wedge (of clay for ceramics), it generally involves slapping the clay on the table,” Olson said, adding that working with the clay is a nice way to relieve stress. Sophomore Maia Schossow’s pencil drawing of a young girl was on display in the high school

Maia Schossow holds a portrait she drew from a photo of a young girl for a South Central Calhoun High School art class. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS library in January. The drawing’s resemblance to a photograph caught the attention of school board members. Schossow said she prefers pencil drawing over using colors, and especially likes

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paying attention to details and shading. Art class also exposes her to styles and methods she doesn’t do as well as, she said. “Right now, we’re doing graffiti,” Schossow said. “It’s something I’m not really good at.” Trying things she doesn’t like as much, or isn’t able to do as well as she can draw, is OK, she said. “Then I figure out what I’m bad at and I don’t do that anymore,” she said. Woodward said she’s helping students develop skills to use throughout their lives. “They may not use it in their career,” she said. “It might be a hobby for them.” Many students do pursue jobs that allow them to use art skills, Woodward said, including one Southern Cal graduate who now designs shoes for Nike. Like other SCC fine arts teachers, Woodward is full of praise for district officials who have continued to support art and the arts. She said the end result is students who are better prepared for life after graduation. “We just always nee d creative thinkers,” Woodward said.

The Graphic-Advocate

Fine Arts

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 • 5

Kjersti Olson holds a ceramic flute she made in a South Central Calhoun art class. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

Stewart Memorial Community Hospital 1301 W. Main St. Lake City Maddie Neal holds a sculpture she made in art class at South Central Calhoun High School. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

I believe arts education in music, theater, dance, and the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface. They (children) have an enthusiasm for life a spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations that need training – training that prepares them to become confident young men and women. – Richard W. Riley, Former US Secretary of Education

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6 • Wednesday,

Fine Arts

February 24, 2016

The Graphic-Advocate

SCC jazz band rebounding after losing seniors By Erin Sommers Graphic-Advocate Editor South Central Calhoun Jazz Band students know the school’s long history of success at regional and state competitions. When the band took second place at the first such competition this year, the group’s seniors were taken aback a bit. “Nobody wanted to let Mr. (Tom) Plummer down,� senior Corinne Beagle said. Plummer, the long-time band director, said he knew the students were worried about him being upset about the finish. But he wasn’t. The jazz band graduated a large number of seniors last year. “K nowing where we came from, I was just hoping we’d get

at the beginning,� senior Courtney Andersen said. “Teaching the basics of jazz, the different types of playing styles.� She admitted that review could be “frustrating and boring,� but it was also a good reminder for the seniors about their own beginnings. “Oh my gosh, that used to be us,� senior Lauren Shipley said she realized in class one day. Plummer said he looks for leaders within the band to help their classmates. That second-place finish earlier this year? It’s one of those life lessons the seniors said they will remember. “It was good to get knocked off our pedestal a little,� senior Marae Erkebrack said. “I think we were getting a little

Jazz band director Tom Plummer says being in a band teaches students self discipline, time management and how to be a leader, as well as how to work with people of different skill levels. In the jazz band, students have the chance to do some improvisation as they develop their own interpretation of the music they are playing. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

Courtney Andersen plays a trumpet solo during a jazz band practice Feb. 11. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS to state,� Plummer said. “We had a long way to go.� His seniors noticed that, too. “We had to go back to the basics

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big headed,� Andersen added. There are other lessons to be learned in band class, the seniors said.

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“No matter how good you think you are, there’s always something you can do better,� Andersen said. She said she’s also learned how to take criticism, and that criticism isn’t always a bad thing. “You take what you have and you learn to apply it,� Beagle added. Plummer has lessons he likes to see his students learn, too. “First, we always set goals,� he said. “We always want to do our best. We want to get a 1 rating (at contests).�

Band is full of opportunities for teamwork, for leaders to step forward and for students to interact with each other, he said. Self discipline is a must – students have to practice on their own, as well as be prepared for early morning rehearsals. His students learn to listen and take instructions, as well as a willingness to experiment with new things, just to see how they sound. “The music is a script,� Plummer said. “You have to learn how to interpret it. You have to put

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your emotion in it.� Sure, there’s a right and a wrong note, and the music comes with a certain rhythm. But after that, “real music interpretation is how to make this emotional,� he said. Plummer also sees one more thing his students can do to be a success, in class and in life. “Being on time, being prepared,� he said. “That’s a huge way of being successful in life. It’s nonstop.�

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. –Albert Einstein

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Fine Arts

The Graphic-Advocate

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 • 7

Lauren Shipley plays trumpet during a jazz band practice Feb. 11 at South Central Calhoun High School. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ ERIN SOMMERS

South Central Calhoun High School, and Southern Cal before it, has a long history of musical competition success. Seen are a few recent trophies. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

Corinne Beagle plays clarinet during a band practice Feb. 11 at South Central Calhoun High School. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

“The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind.� –George Washington

South Central Calhoun High School jazz band members are seen during a Feb. 11 rehearsal. GRAPHIC-ADVOCATE PHOTO/ERIN SOMMERS

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8 • Wednesday,

Fine Arts

February 24, 2016

The Graphic-Advocate

Fine Arts Boosters bolster arts programs Speech offers students a By Erin Sommers Graphic-Advocate Editor A group of South Central Calhoun parents, themselves once participants in school bands, art classes, speech and music, provide support for those programs now,

as the Fine Arts Boosters. “What we do is work to provide the fine arts departments with the things the schools cannot,� Amy Westcott said. Some of the recent purchases include a portable band shell for SCC Middle School, and a French horn for a student at the middle

Josie Zuetlau, a South Central Calhoun Middle School student, shows off a French horn purchased for the school by the Fine Arts Boosters. Zuetlau said she was excited to have the new instrument to play. PHOTO COURTESY FAITH ERICSSON

school to use. Sometimes, the group buys the instruments and other items outright; other times, the group and teachers find ways to split the costs. Teachers are given a certain amount of money to spend, as well as provide lists annually of their priority purchases for the year. Westcott said the band shell, which the middle school will use at the spring concert, was on a list a few years ago, then teachers decided to prioritize other purchases. The Fine Arts Boosters, when they had enough extra set aside, were able to buy the shell as a surprise for the middle school music program. The group organizes various fundraisers throughout the year, including a carnival every other year, which is scheduled for April 24 at SCC High School. Students also sell items door-to-door. A test drive program at Champion in Rockwell City last year netted the group several thousand dollars during Sweet Corn Daze. Peggy Neubaum, a parent and middle school teacher, said the district has so many students who participate in fine arts. “The school budget alone can’t handle (the costs those programs incur),� Westcott said. Westcott, who is also a teacher, said she sees students make academic achievements when they participate in fine arts. “It’s kind of an outlet for them to express feelings, express their passion,� she said. “We feel it’s important and we feel it needs to be a part of our school.� Though the amount of money raised changes annually, every cent goes back into the schools, boosters said.

glimpse at professional world By Erin Sommers Graphic-Advocate Editor South Central Calhoun High School junior Jennifer Mossman likes the rhythm that she creates while performing poetry during speech competitions. “It feels like a category where you can really connect with your audience without being obvious about it,� Mossman said. Her dad was big into speech, and pressed Mossman to consider joining when she got to high school. She found many SCC students participating and decided to try, too. “It is really fun,� she said. Mossman said she finds herself honing skills she expects to be able to use long after graduation. “You have to learn how to work with people in a more professional setting,� she said, referring to speech competitions, which are judged. “You definitely have to learn how to manage your time. You just have to figure it out.� Speech competitors dress up for the events and interact with judges more than Mossman expected. As a student who is involved in

multiple clubs and teams, Mossman said the time management is also very important. “I knew I would have to be pretty careful with my time,� she said. The competitions can be a highstress environment, which has given Mossman a chance to learn how to work with people in such circumstances. “You learn a lot about the people you’re spending time with,� she said. “You have to learn to deal with it. You have to go with the flow of the day. It is a really long day for everyone.� Junior Anastasia Sackfield said she enjoys the freedom of performing in improvisational and acting events. The ultimate responsibility for success falls to each student, she said. “It’s up to you whether you want to put in the time,� Sackfield said. “It’s helped me to organize my thoughts.� She said she has learned how to fail, especially in improve, where things just don’t always go according to plan. “It’s one of the harder things,� she said, but she has learned “now, you mess up, you just keep going.�

“Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them – a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music.� – Gerald Ford, Former President of the United States

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