Tips for an Art and Culture-filled Summer
Last year, Stages and Trumpets Playshop produced the stage version of the hit Disney movie “High School Musical,” with “Little Big Star” grand prize winner Sam Concepcion and Cheska Ortega as the lead actors.
While it can be a good idea to stage a theater production once summer ends, to keep high school students from getting bored during the warm, school-less days, one does not necessarily need to join or produce a musical to have fun.
Students can learn about art, science, music or go off the beaten path this summer. Anything is possible when it’s summer vacation, and opportunities abound for the interested students.
Here are some tips you can share with your students for an art and culture-filled summer:
A sprinkle of art
Art does not only refer to those in museums, although a trip to one or a gallery of a local artist can broaden one’s horizon and appreciation for art. Today, art comes in many forms—from advertisements to street sculptures to digital photography.
Summertime is the perfect setting for exploring both traditional and modern forms of art. Note the differences, and why one likes or does not like them. Interview a local artist, or read about the popular and influential ones. Learn about artistic movements in the web. This way, one’s artistic style and preferences will become more developed.
Art museums online include:
- The Museum of Modern Art(MoMA) - this 1929-founded educational institution is dedicated to being the world’s foremost museum of modern art.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York- features information about their extensive collection, online art galleries and upcoming museum events.
- Tate Online - has the national collection of British art from the sixteenth century to the present day.
- The Louvre- shows its permanent collection of over 35,000 and 140,000 works online.
A pinch of music
One usually imagines music during the summer as only the kind coming out of radios in the beach or MTV from the living room. Having a favorite type of music is good, but venture out of comfort zones by learning about unfamiliar types and genres. Who knows what kinds of music are just waiting to be enjoyed?
Start by researching favorite artists and find out who influenced their music. Hip Hop, after all, was heavily influenced by Rhythm and Blues and jazz. Or rock n’ roll has blues roots. It’s also possible to ask relatives for different kinds of music they listened to while growing up. Then watch MTV for music updates and playbacks. These things are all part of the cultural expression of people, and it always pays to know more about it.
Online sites on music are:
- Smithsonian — Music - contains historical information on all American music types and instruments used in creating it.
- Instrument Encyclopedia - for an exploration of musical traditions and instruments.
- Performing Arts Reading Room - is the US Library of Congress website featuring their classified music and book collections, music and literary manuscripts, and five collections of musical instruments.
A dash of everything else
Summer can also mean trainings and workshops to enrich knowledge and skills. Consider the following:
- The Cultural Center of the Philippines has special performances that are worth watching year in, year out. For the summer, check out also the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Music School for instruments and voice training, as well as their art and animation workshop for teens.
- College and University Programs are also sometimes offered by colleges and universities, some of them on sports like basketball, swimming, track and field and tennis. Some even have course offerings; just check out the nearest university’s website for more details.
- Summer jobs can generate extra cash for the summer months. A lot of internship positions are available on local jobsites like Trabaho.com.
At least, by exploring different summer options, students can realize that there is lot more to vacation time than just watching television and visiting friends. It’s also a time for self-enrichment.
Sources:
“CCP Summer activities.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2007/02/ccps-line-up-of-summer-activities-for.html
Consunji, Bianca. “High on ‘High School Musical’.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=72244
“Learning about art.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://www.aie.org/AIEmail/Issues/20070716/index.cfm
“Learning about music.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://www.aie.org/AIEmail/Issues/20060731.html
“Off the beaten path.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://www.whatkidscando.org/resources/spec_summer.html#offthe
“Summer Camps, Opportunities and Activities for Kids and Teens.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://www.kidscamps.com/press/passport2manila62002.html
(Published 08 April 2008, Smart Schools Program)
