Fractions and Music Production at UAI

14 Dec 2011, 10:34 AM by keith, High School

At The Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women (UAI) in Brooklyn, 11th graders have been working with teaching artist Jules Gimbrone on digital music projects that integrate into their math curriculum.  Working alongside teacher Mr. Mike, the girls have been exploring using Garage Band to create original compositions that connect to various math concepts.  Their first project focused on students creating musical word problems, and now students have moved on to creating individual compositions that use beats and measures in relation to fractions.  Using the grid system in Garage Band, the girls are making musical patterns that fulfill specific criteria.  Their short individual pieces will be sequenced into longer compositions, and then students will create physical movements to accompany their parts.

"Since we need to create a new beat, I’m starting with a steady bass.  I’m figuring out what instruments to use and make the sounds match up with the metronome.  In another project, we made lyrics that related to math.  It was challenging to not just write about anything, but to make it about fractions.  The project is cool, but it’s challenging, which is good for us.  I would rather do math this way than just sit in class and write.” – Kenya, 11th grade

 “I like that if you don’t like something, you can work on it and make it into something different.  I want my track to have a little beat and then soothing sounds to go with it.  This is a good way to learn about math because it give you a different view on things.” – Regine, 11th grade

PS 48Q Final Share

31 May 2011, 11:43 AM by kaya, Elementary School

A warm welcome back to the final days of school after Memorial Day! At Urban Arts we kicked off last weekend with a lot of art shares with our schools. At PS 48Q, Elliot Montague's two film programs, Cristina Ambrose's theatre program, and Bradley Valentin's chrous class all shared their work with the afterschool community, parents, and staff. Thanks to Ms. Fletcher for hosting, and all of the PS 48Q community for helping us!

Here is a still from the 2nd & 3rd grade and 4th & 5th grade films, with audience reaction:

The Great Toothbrush Robbery

The Zombie Blues

Audience Laughs:

Next up was the theater program's original work, The Angel Play. These actors worked very hard to write, memorize, and block the play!

In this scene, all the characters are introducing themselves to the audience:

And finally, the chorus program presented a version of Tightrope that included some great choreography AND snazzy costumes!

Great job everyone, see you at the Urban Arts Festival in Queens on June 6th!!

Music Video By New Design High School Band

25 May 2011, 4:53 PM by keith, High School

"Gone Without a Trace" is an original song created by the members of the New Design High School Band. The band met after school, and during lunch during the spring semester of 2011. With teaching artist Jules Gimbrone, the students developed new parts and refined their skills on their instruments. After many weeks of rehearsing, they recorded their song using a Macbook and a portable digital interface in the science lab next door. Then, they shot the video in the hallways of their school. Check out their debut music video below!

Master Class with PS48Q's film program

19 Feb 2011, 12:18 AM by kaya, Elementary School

In PS 48's film studio, student worked with Master Arist Geo Wyeth to make music, film, and work on their latest project. Students from teaching artist Elliot Montague's 4th & 5th grade class act as teaching assistance in his 2nd & 3rd grade class as they film, edit, and share!

Music Production at IS 528

26 Jan 2011, 4:21 PM by Lisa LH, Middle School

In the fall semester at IS 528, students in the Music Production class worked on songs that related to themes about friendship and setting goals.  The students created the beats in GarageBand, wrote the lyrics, and learned how to record to a computer.  The students also performed these songs for their school community in December.

Maria, Anabel, Diana - 'Here to Stay'

 "This song is about friends and what they do to help you, by being there with you when you need them and protecting you.  This song is about how amazing good friends are."

- Anabel and Maria

Damian, Rafael - 'Reach for the stars'

Ricky - 'Trends'