Summer Braille Music Institute
A Seminar on Braille Music and Technology for School Music Study
Overbrook School for the Blind, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Presented by
The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians
The Summer Braille Music Institute instructs blind college-bound musicians in Braille music and the skills needed for full participation in music theory classes at the high school and college level. Days will be comprised of individual and group classes in braille music, use of the computer to submit written assignments, and tutoring in theory and related skills. outdoor events on the campus, cookouts, group music activities meant for fun, and outings to concerts and recreation in Philadelphia's cultural centers will make this a full and wholesome week.
In addition to the student group, we invite a limited number of sighted music and vision teachers, and music education students, to come as interns. They will receive exposure to the techniques we use and gain experience helping in the classrooms and the dorm. These interns, along with volunteers and staff from both the National Resource Center and Overbrook school for the Blind, assure support for all involved.
The Overbrook School for the Blind, on a beautiful campus in Philadelphia, blends its Spanish Renaissance architecture from the 1890s with a design for today's needs. School drivers will meet students at the train or airport and provide transportation for any off-campus activities.
Students can expect a morning and afternoon session of braille music, at least one of these being one-on-one with the teacher. The curriculum will be customized to the student's level, from just beginning, to those requiring help reading piano or other types of scores.
Since one of the major requisites for reading music is a good understanding of rhythmic values and intervals, a group class will combine fun with braille reading, singing, percussion instruments, and other activities to develop fluency and ear training, as well as discussing strategies for functioning in classes with sighted peers. Other activities will include learning how to use the "Dictionary of Braille Music Signs" and taking down music from dictation.
Students work with a sighted theory teacher in areas where help is needed. Objectives are set to make sure students understand the "grammar" of music, to insure they have the vocabulary and ability to share and articulate concepts with others. Topics often include scales and intervals, understanding print music concepts, going over the student's fall class syllabus or textbook, analyzing a chorale from the music in braille, and pointers for onstage performance and deportment.
The goal of the instruction is for students to be able, upon leaving, to produce music assignments in print for submission to teachers. Intensive training is provided in the use of the LIME Music Editor, made accessible through speech and braille with scripts developed by Dancing Dots, as part of its GOODFEEL (R) package. Students have demonstrations of, or try out, other music programs, such as Cakewalk Sonar and Sibelius. Time is also set aside to help students with general computer skills they may find challenging.
Students should consider this program only if they:
§ Are age 16 or older and are taking a high school theory class or lessons
emphasizing an academic approach to music, or
§ Will be starting college and taking music courses in the fall, or
§ Are already in college and need help with music study.
Further, students should
§ Understand the need for braille music and have decided for themselves
that they want to develop this skill;
§ Have had several years of music lessons and understand the importance
of theory;
§ Demonstrate, in their audition, ability to present a polished and pleasing
performance;
§ Are fluent readers of contracted English braille;
§ Need to be able to submit written music assignments;
§ Have some computer experience using a Windows operating system and a
screen reader;
§ Already have, or demonstrate that they will soon obtain, the music software
taught;
§ Demonstrate good independence skills;
§ And are fully committed to spending several hours a day studying the
essentials of their craft while displaying social readiness and maturity to
be a contributing part of a close-knit group.
The cost for tuition, room and board for the past few years has been $1400.
The cost for the 2009 program will be announced when the dates have been established.
A limited number of partial scholarships are made possible through the contributions
of Institute supporters, and awarded based on documentation of income and student
need.
You may request an application to be mailed to you by completing the
online application request form or
contacting the National Resource Center by phone or E-mail.
The application comprises forms to be completed by the student, recommendation forms to be completed by teachers, and requires a short audition tape. In most cases, applications are sent by regular post, because of print materials requiring signatures. However, all parts that the student may wish to fill out independently are available by E-mail upon request and may be E-mailed back to us. Important: We ask students to look over the material as soon as the package arrives and to E-mail or call the Resource Center to let us know whether or not they are applying.
Application Deadline: All application materials must be received by May 8, 2008.
Students will in most cases be interviewed by phone after the application is received.
Up to eight students will be accepted. Students and parents should note that the small capacity means difficult decisions will need to be made about who can attend. Primary considerations will be the student's immediate need for Braille music and the other skills taught, motivation and social readiness, and our perception of personalities that will match well in working together in a group as intimate as this one will be. 
The teachers who gather to make this program possible are happy to give what time they can to work with educators or provide guidance, by appointment, to those who have discussed their needs with us before the Institute. Some possible options are:
§ Residential internships for sighted people to help out and learn through observation;
§ Volunteer opportunities;
§ Evaluation and guidance for younger students who come for an afternoon
visit with a parent or teacher;
§ Tours for educators and others.
Please note that definite plans often cannot be made until we have accepted our students and know what our staffing needs and availability will be. Making us aware of your interest early assures the greatest possibility of accommodating you in our plans.
The National Resource Center for Blind Musicians, a division of the Music and Arts Center for Humanity, provides information and referral to students, parents, and teachers on braille music, technology, and strategies for including people who are blind or visually impaired in music activities.
National Resource Center for Blind Musicians
510 Barnum Avenue, 3rd Floor
Bridgeport, CT 06608
info@blindmusicstudent.org
www.blindmusicstudent.org
Application deadline May 6, 2009.
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