From michael schenkelberg, new music
school director
A music school that services the community
It is great to have finally arrived in
Colorado and at Swallow Hill! Having come from Old Town School of
Folk Music in Chicago and starting as the new music school
director here, it is as exciting as playing for the two best bands
in the land! Swallow Hill is a well-polished act that is getting
ready to become a regional player in the in the American roots
music community here in Colorado. Under my direction, Swallow Hill
will attract the next generation of musicians and provide
programming in the same community environment, which represents
their interpretation of folk and roots music. I worked at the Old
Town School for four years as a teacher, educator, and
administrator. Prior to Chicago, I worked in Cleveland, Ohio
designing education programs to teach inner city kids about
American Roots Music, songwriting, and history. And once upon a
time I worked as a tropical biologist.
It is a great time to be involved with Swallow Hill. The music
school is poised and ready for growth: growth in its classes,
growth in programming, growth in the student base, and growth in
its diversity. The potential of the school comes from the music
itself. Our method of teaching and communicating does not
necessarily come from specific genre, time period, or place.
Passing on knowledge by personal interaction and in a positive
communal environment is at the core of the tradition of Swallow
Hill.
The two greatest assets we have to
accomplish this growth are the faculty and the community, both of
which distinguish Swallow Hill from any other school in the
region. We have an amazing faculty who are not only exciting and
knowledgeable educators but also top-notch performers. These
teachers come together with the students to provide a place folks
can learn, socialize, jam, meet other musicians, play in bands and
generally be immersed in a supportive music community. This is
where people come to meet friends and form bonds. And this
includes families and kids.
Swallow Hill is also going to have more
programming and opportunities for families, pre-scholars and kids.
Music is something children naturally come to from the time they
are born. Exposure to music at an early age can help develop
creativity, language, social, cognition, and motor skills in pre-schoolers.
Keep an eye on the newsletter, web site, and e-note for future
programs, classes, and concert for families and kids! Come check
the school out and support music that doesn't suck. |
