<>November 11, 2004 

Ken:  Anna, do you think that’s just coincidence or could it be something deeper?

Anna:  (very slowly and thoughtfully),  I think it’s…….something deeper.

<>By the time you read this letter you will have had the pleasure of listening to the songs written by the children during this residency.  It has been a very rich week here at school with our artist Ken Lonnquist.  Ken had endeared himself to our children a long time ago with his fun songs, so their excitement at his visit was not unexpected.   

Each of our classes had four sessions with Ken and, depending on the complexity of the songs, they have written either one or two songs with him during this time.  I have had the pleasure of sitting in on almost all the sessions so I have seen the scope of the work firsthand and have had the opportunity to scribe for Ken as the songs were written. Megan took my place in the afternoons and acted as scribe then.

<>Whenever we have residencies at Prairie Creek our teachers take a very active part.  This is not always the case in schools.  In many schools the teachers take a back seat and leave it all to the artist.  From the beginning here we have seen the value of being actively involved in the residency.  We have always viewed this as a time for our teachers to learn the artist’s craft, so that they can continue on with the writing, painting, sculpting, or whatever the discipline is during the residency.    <>Before Ken arrived at school most of the classes had had discussions about what they wanted to write about and, as you might expect at Prairie Creek, the topics related to the themes being studied in the classroom.  On the first day that the students met with Ken they brainstormed a long list of possible song ideas.  Some of these lists were quite focused, some not.  In some cases children got very stuck on an idea and tried to connect their idea to every other one that was mentioned!  Ken was masterful as he gathered these ideas and tried to guide the choices.  On one or two occasions he picked up his guitar and, on the spot, made up a song about whatever the wacky topic was that the children could not let go of and delighted them with an original song about their idea.  In most cases the children were able to let go of the idea and move on.  By the end of the first session a song idea had been chosen and the beginnings of the words and melody had emerged. 

I wish you could have been here to watch this artist at work.   I have worked with numerous artists over the years here at Prairie Creek but every now and again along comes a master of the art.  Ken’s work blended with our philosophy in amazing ways.  His respect for children’s ideas, his interest in integrating curriculum,  his humor in responding to some of the “off the wall” suggestions, his gentleness with all the children, his willingness to let their ideas override his and his delight in finding just the right turn of phrase was really fun to watch and be part of.  The final songs include everyone’s ideas, children’s, teacher’s, EA’s, Ken’s and mine.  I imagine everyone feels some ownership of these funny and beautiful songs.  The most touching moment for me was when Ken listened to one of our Kindergarten children sing her composition and recognized immediately that this musical phrase was ideal for the song about the Northern Lights.  Within minutes the beginnings of a tender song about the Aurora Borealis had emerged.  Can you imagine the impact this recognition must have had on this little girl?

We have really enjoyed working with Ken and I have no doubt that your children will have very happy memories of this week.  We hope you love the concert today.

Warmly,

 

Caroline