VocalEssence – Philip Brunelle, artistic director

The WITNESS School Program is an exciting opportunity for students and teachers to learn more abut the contributions African Americans have made, and are making, to the fine arts. The 2008-2009 WITNESS School Program will celebrate the powerful and inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program has three components: Artist Workshops, Teacher Resources, and Young People's Concerts.

WITNESS Artist Workshops
Partner schools host two visits from a WITNESS Teaching Artist who interacts with students for a 50-minute class period. Teaching Artists will explore an artistic discipline using the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a framework. Depending on the artist, workshop activities may include composing a song; expressing a poem through movement; or painting a mural about hope and courage. VocalEssence provides workshops free of charge to all partner schools. Subsidies are available for schools seeking to further enrich students experience through extended workshops or residencies.

Teacher Resources
Participating Teachers must attend a half day orientation seminar, which includes an introduction to the VocalEssence WITNESS School Program, an overview of the VocalEssence Teacher Resource Guide, the opportunity to engage with WITNESS Teaching Artists and strategies on incorporating WITNESS materials in the school curricula. The cost of the seminar is $20, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and parking. Each participant also receives four clock hours of professional development credit and a copy of the WITNESS Teachers Guide

WITNESS Young People's Concerts
Whether silently read, spoken or sung, the power of Dr. Martin Luther king, Jr.'s words creates hope for equality, justice, and peace. The VocalEssence chorus honors the 90^th anniversary of Dr. King's birthday with music and spoken word performances. Elevating his message through music, this dynamic concert will feature legendary jazz pianist Billy Taylor's Peaceful Warrior for chorus and jazz trio.