2020–2021
EDUCATION ■
Since schools operated under a hybrid of in-person and virtual models during the 2020–21 academic year, they too became creative with technology. Educators had to rethink what it means to teach music and what it means to be a musician. Through the advent of Zoom, Rockport Music worked with Jazz Workshop Director Alexa Tarantino to provide musical engagement through Gloucester’s Virtual Academy classes. It was met with great enthusiasm for the musically-starved elementary children who participated. In the winter and spring, the City of Boston’s former Artistin-Residence Shaw Pong Liu was able to virtually connect with Rockport High School students to discuss how music can be used to bring awareness to social issues. The conversations created space for students to think about how they can use their talents to affect change in their own communities. These workshops were vital lifelines to an isolated student population on Cape Ann, and were integral stopgaps before Rockport Music returned in full force with in-person activities in the fall. As part of the CONCERT VIEW series in Spring 2021, Rockport Music presented a Virtual Adult Education Series with performances by the Rasa Quartet, klezmer violinist Abigale Reisman, Palaver Strings and Castle of Our Skins. Now with school back to in-person learning, Rockport Music has eight residencies scheduled in Gloucester and Rockport schools. We are excited to announce that we will soon be expanding our reach into the schools of neighboring Manchester-by-the-Sea and Ipswich.
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