A.R.I.S.E. Gordon
Opening with a Spiritual that prompts the students to “Hold On,” all will be engaged in the process. 3-5 students will be paired with 1-3 ARISE members to learn and recite something about Gordon Parks’ multi-faceted life. All students will sing related music from the Civil Rights movement intermittently, closing with “Lift Ev’ry Voice.” This uplifting performance by the A.R.I.S.E. Ensemble is also an optional addition to the A.R.I.S.E. Gordon Story Theatre Residency, in which students will experience a brief performance by the ensemble followed by coaching with members of the ensemble to guide their participation in the elements of storytelling, readers theater and choral music that comprise a complete performance. Students will learn about Gordon Parks and the challenges he faced, and know that the spirit of Gordon Parks — the drive to overcome — is in all of us.
SECD: Self Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management
Program Details
Program Category
Character Education | History / Social Studies | Kansas History | Multicultural | Music | Program | Storytelling | Theater
Appropriate for ages: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Performance
Artist
A.R.I.S.E. Ensemble
Directed by Shawn Chastain, Fine Arts director for Wichita Public Schools and accompanied by June Faucette-Huff, retired music teacher, the ARISE script writer is Dr. Sharon Hill Cranford, local historian and author. With the power of a 15 – 30 voices, the ensemble uses music to weave the historical perspectives of spirituals with the artistic delivery of oration. ARISE is a traveling treasure trove of American History and Music, able to reach and touch people of all ages as they seek to improve communications and create a more welcoming environment among diverse audiences throughout the state and beyond. The multigenerational and multiethnic ARISE group ensures interactive presentations as they provide residencies and performances, consistently drawing full participation at both. From small to large classroom settings to filling the state capitol rotunda, to overflow crowds of several hundred in churches and auditoriums, ARISE is well received. Through the Arts Partners program, 10 to 15 members of ARISE along with the director and accompanist will come to your school for each performance. 2 to 3 members will come for residencies.
We thoroughly appreciate Arts Partners and the experiences they can provide for our students. The ARISE performance was perfect for us demonstrating cultural diversity as well as an amazing fine arts demonstration. We would highly recommend them to any school looking for a rich experience for their students!
E. Hofer-Holdeman, Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School, Wichita
Arts Partners | 903 S Edgemoor, Suite 907 Wichita, KS 67218
Site by RSM Marketing.
This Organization received funding for general operational support from the City of Wichita The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Board of directors
Jan-Maeve Saggerson
Tim Rogers
Lai-L Daugherty
Teresa Seymour
Rodney Horton
Chris Wendt