Checking In: Big Sky Ensemble Virtual Meetings

When I wrote the first blog post about Big Sky Ensemble virtual meetings this past June, I’m not sure I would have believed that almost 8 months later, we would still be unable to spend in-person time with the Newport String Project students. Each week, this barrier is not lost on us, and it’s common in our Zoom calls for us all to look forward together to a time when we can reestablish that normalcy. That being said, this past fall we have continued with this new albeit temporary NSP normal — Meeting every Monday with Big Sky students (our oldest group of students) to have emotional check ins, guided discussions, and music explorations together.

“Music is for Everyone” is the theme guiding our conversations this season. Open to interpretation, we wanted to center the idea that is at the core of NSP: No matter your circumstances, you can have meaningful musical experiences. Reflecting on our Big Sky meetings before summer break, we aimed to continue building conversations around identity, injustice, and community with this theme in mind. Starting off the season dissecting terms like racism, oppression and privilege, we moved into talking about judgements and their effects, and facilitated activities around our different experiences and identities. Some weeks, we do Zoom breakout room activities, in which the larger group is separated into private Zoom meetings where small group discussions can happen. I’ve been so grateful at how helpful this platform has been for us consistently being able to talk, laugh and make music together. The one thing missing is the in-person ice breaker games that often had us all running around the room at the MLK center!

There have been two music-related additions to Big Sky that I also want to mention, because I think they’re awesome and that’s coming from someone who can barely play the kazoo. The first is the “music trailblazer” section - For 5 sessions now, one of the teachers will lead a presentation on someone in the music world that has paved the way for themselves and musicians to come. Examples include Nina Simone, Marian Anderson and Dean Dixon. After the presentation we’ll hear from the students about things that surprised them, obstacles they can identify the musician has faced, and general thoughts.

The second music activity that I’m a fan of has been led by Alexis; for a few sessions she has curated an improvisational activity, in which students and teachers alike engage in creating music together with loose guidelines. Hearing everyone have fun on their instruments like that has been a blast, and thinking creatively about how to make the space for those experiences is definitely a priority.

As 2020 comes to a close, we’re grateful that Big Sky students have been along with us for the ride, willing to meet each week with curious and open minds, stepping forward with us for the next leg of this journey together. As mentioned back in June, nearly every week we go around the virtual room and check in using the “Rose/Bud/Thorn” prompt - Rose is something you’re happy or grateful for, Thorn is something you’re not as happy about, and Rosebud is something you are looking forward to. When it comes to Big Sky and programming at NSP as a whole, I will share just my Rosebud - Learning with and from the students, as we continue through these unprecedented times.

Sending everyone warm wishes,

Hannah

Students Autumn, Hiba, Joseph, Juan, Max and Ryleigh joined by the NSP staff this past Monday!