Remote Recorders
This year we’ve brought recorders into the hands of hundreds of New York City children free of charge.
Evan Harris, one of our talented Teaching Artists teaching recorder from his Brooklyn studio
Our focus this year has been on keeping kids making music together. While programs like Alegría Musical: Latin American Stories can be taught using a hybrid model (some students at school and some at home), our Recorders without Borderscould not be safely taught in classrooms.
Our response was to send free recorders home to every student taking part in one of our recorder residencies. So far we've distributed hundreds of free recorders to dozens of classes both in public schools and community-based organizations.
The students have been making tremendous progress! Teachers tell us that students are watching the video lessons over and over again, developing their new skills as they eagerly await the live sessions with SCS teaching artists. Parents and older siblings are even dusting off their own recorders to join in on the fun!
We have found various ways to celebrate the students' accomplishments ranging from virtual live performances to video montages always with joyous participation from impressed family members.
Video of the Week
To hear what these kids are learning, take a minute to watch Teaching Artist Ruaridh Pattison teach Sioux Lullaby in “Recorders without Borders.”
Community Member Highlight
We are excited to expand our reach beyond public school classrooms to students served by community-based organizations. Queens Community House (QCH) works in 14 Queens neighborhoods, providing individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities. It's been a pleasure designing new residencies with their deeply engaged Youth Services staff!
"QCH is pleased to have entered into a partnership with S'Cool Sounds. During these times, it was important to offer our participants another means of social connection through music," shares Helena Ku (Associate Executive Director, Youth Services).
"S'Cool Sounds has been engaging for our participants. Our second and third grade participants look forward to their weekly sessions with Mr. Evan Harris and are always ready to play their recorders. Evan provides our participants with a welcoming and engaging music learning environment. We are so excited to continue seeing our students learn new skills, listen and learn to play and connect with one another."
Learn more about QCH’s holistic approach to youth services here.