Music Festival gives young musicians new opportunities

Ninety-nine students participated in the “Celebration of the Young Musicians Festival” on Friday, March 5 at Prairie Elementary in Worthington.  The Festival was co-sponsored by Minnesota Music Educators Association, Prairie Elementary and Nobles County Integration Collaborative. 

Jeanne Mammen, a music teacher at Prairie Elementary coordinated the event with assistance from her colleagues Linda VanWesten and Jeanette Jenson.  Music teachers from Adrian, Brewster, Ellsworth, Fulda, St. Mary’s and Prairie Elementary schools each brought a small group of 4^th-6^th grade students to participate in a full day of activities.

During the festival integrated groups of students from each school rotated between three workshops facilitated by professional musicians.  Dr. Bob Walser led students in a sword dancing workshop based on music and dance steps from the British Isles.  Mr. Mick Labriola led students in drumming sessions. Ms. Jane Oxton led a vocal music workshop.

At the close of the day, students gave a public performance to demonstrate what they had learned throughout the day.  Each group presented a short drumming selection and a sword dance.  Then all of the students performed four vocal selections as a mass chorus.