The Marvelous Musical Martins - Arts-In-Ed Programs

A Celebration of Bells Their History, Mystery and Musical Magic! (K-4):

Upbeat, multi-cultural vignettes giving rich perspective to bells as instruments of communication (the town crier, street peddler, NY Stock Exchange) and freedom. Bells are one of the oldest sounds know to man. They were found buried 3000 years ago in a Chinese Emperors tomb to ward of evil spirits. They were worn by the chief & high priest as a sign of authority. They have been used in sacred rituals and dances and where even used in trading as money(Conestoga Wagons, Manhattan was purchased for $24 in trinkets which included 10 bells. A semi-theatrical, multi-cultural"whole language" experience presenting bells as more than just simple melody and rhythm instruments. Voices, violin, concertina and piano in accompanying harmony, along with songs and total audience participation, show how bells have been rung throughout history and have helped shape our everyday language. Imaginative presentations show this "singing metal" as it chimes the hours, signals important events, sounds warnings, and explores their cross-cultural appeal as symbols in stories, poems, legends and traditions such as Paul Revere, Quasimodo, Colombus, the town crier and our Liberty Bell.

Freedom Bells Connection (K-8):

A semi-theatrical, multi-cultural, interdisciplinary presentation celebrating freedom through the diversity of bells, their place in history and their roles as a means of communication and symbol of freedom. Columbus, who is believed to have brough bells as gifts, Paul Revere, one of America's first bell ringers and bell makers, the German Freedom Bell, the Japaneese Peace Bell and our Liberty Bell, are all part of this fascinating story which highlights that freedom and responsibility go hand-in-hand. By using the bell as a metaphor of freedom this program shows how the bell is connected to communication and freedom. Interdisciplinary, upbeat vignettes introduce students, our future world leaders, to the meaning of gem, how it is has spread and how it has been, and is, practiced throughout the world Christopher Columbus, Paul Revere, Freedom Leaders, the Liberty Bell and Internet are all part of this fascinating story.

Let Freedom Ring!! (4-8):

Today's children will be our leaders. Will they be ready? Geared to various grade levels these inclusive, interdisciplinary, upbeat vignettes introduce students to liberty's ideals and struggles including: The Underground RR - how people risked their lives so others would be free; world slavery;, the need to help poor nations and thereby help ourselves; dictators, freedom leaders, oligarchies, ill-liberal democracies, and our role as a beacon of freedom for the world. A semi-theatrical, multi-cultural musical springboard for the study of "freedom," using voices, instruments, tuned hand-bells, and total audience participation in a variety of musical styles. The comprehensive Resource/Study Guide's on-going activities expand upon the concept of the program's main theme,"working together" which emphasizes that Rights + Responsibilities = Peaceful Solutions to Conflict. Through references to our Liberty Bell, the German Freedom Bell and the Japaneese Peace Bell, it acknowledges people's continuing struggle for acceptance of individual and group rights and their quest for"liberty and justice for all" as the world looks to our country which strives to serve as a beacon of oppurtunity and "freedom"for all.

Magic Holiday Music (K-4,4-8,K-8):

Three delightful packages of sparkling contemporary and traditional music with voices, instruments, glorious tuned hand-bells and total audience involvement.Wrapped imaginatively in colorful ribbons of the many traditions of our rich melting pot of nations, these programs highlight the windows of oppurtunity and choice in America and combine the extensive concert, theater and educational experience of The Martins.

Historical Notes:

The abolitionists named The Liberty Bell as their symbol, of freedom in 1837 and it was recognized as our national symbol of freedom in 1876, our Centennial Celebration. That year one of our primary means of communication, which rings in your home and mine, the telephone, was invented by Alexander -Graham-Bell. Today-through the phone lines by computer and modem we can connect to the World Wide Web. This is an important means by which, freedoms or lack of freedoms, ideas are spreading throughout the world. It's A Small World After All.