Peace Building Projects
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Using the ideas expressed in Oliver Urbain's book, "Music and Conflict Transformation: Harmonies and Dissonances in Geopolitics" (2008), combined the musical practices of Musicians Without Borders, Dr. Caron Collins created and currently teaches a graduate online course, "Peace Building through Music Education". Below you will find peace building musical projects designed by music educators who participated in this course. These documents can be downloaded and adapted for use in your school or community. Through musical participation, we can step into each other's world can bring about peaceful understanding in our schools and communities.
To learn more about this online course, contact Dr. Caron Collins HERE. |
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Sarah Taylor
Ensembles for Peace
Sarah Taylor: The purpose of this project is to transform a school concert into an interactive musical event that fosters peace, collaboration, and mutual understanding within the community. The school choirs and bands present the music for the event and lead the audience in participatory music-making. The student-community interaction embedded in this event is intended to raise awareness and provide healing for common issues that our residents face every day, such as poverty and gender identity issues. This musical collaboration fosters acceptance and mutual understanding both within and between individuals in the community. To download this project, click HERE.
Sarah Taylor is a music educator in upstate New York. She graduated from the Crane School of Music in 2020 with a double major in Music Education and Double Bass Performance, and is set to complete her Masters' degree in Music Education by the end of 2023 at the same university. Sarah has just completed her third year of teaching. Her district is extremely rural and small; PreK-12 is housed in one building and the district graduates anywhere from 20 to 30 seniors per year. She teaches PreK-5 general music and 4-12 choir. Sarah can be contacted through this email link.
Sarah Taylor: The purpose of this project is to transform a school concert into an interactive musical event that fosters peace, collaboration, and mutual understanding within the community. The school choirs and bands present the music for the event and lead the audience in participatory music-making. The student-community interaction embedded in this event is intended to raise awareness and provide healing for common issues that our residents face every day, such as poverty and gender identity issues. This musical collaboration fosters acceptance and mutual understanding both within and between individuals in the community. To download this project, click HERE.
Sarah Taylor is a music educator in upstate New York. She graduated from the Crane School of Music in 2020 with a double major in Music Education and Double Bass Performance, and is set to complete her Masters' degree in Music Education by the end of 2023 at the same university. Sarah has just completed her third year of teaching. Her district is extremely rural and small; PreK-12 is housed in one building and the district graduates anywhere from 20 to 30 seniors per year. She teaches PreK-5 general music and 4-12 choir. Sarah can be contacted through this email link.
"10080031" by moodboardphotography is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
How Can We Develop Empathy?
Christopher Chan: This project focuses on the aspect of peace building through creating empathy for all people and cultures. It is designed for grade 9 music students for developing self-identity and understanding beyond their own social group. In order to gain more understanding, students become less prone to judge others and disassociate themselves with others who are different from them. The second objective is to unify, which music has been known to accomplish exceedingly well. The desired outcome is to unify students under a larger umbrella identity in order to treat everyone with respect, create a safe space, celebrate diversity, and experience the warmth of inclusion. To download this project click HERE.
Christopher Chan is an undergraduate student from White Plains, NY studying violin and music education at SUNY Potsdam, Crane School of Music. Christopher believes that music "hits the emotions" and wants to share this with his students when they are depressed or in need of something to build confidence. Christopher enjoys playing violin at weddings, because he finds joy when his music brings happiness to the couple preparing to make a commitment to each other for a lifetime. When not playing or listening to music, Christopher likes to research information relating to real estate management and helps his father at the buildings where he is a superintendent. Christopher can be contacted through this email link.
Christopher Chan: This project focuses on the aspect of peace building through creating empathy for all people and cultures. It is designed for grade 9 music students for developing self-identity and understanding beyond their own social group. In order to gain more understanding, students become less prone to judge others and disassociate themselves with others who are different from them. The second objective is to unify, which music has been known to accomplish exceedingly well. The desired outcome is to unify students under a larger umbrella identity in order to treat everyone with respect, create a safe space, celebrate diversity, and experience the warmth of inclusion. To download this project click HERE.
Christopher Chan is an undergraduate student from White Plains, NY studying violin and music education at SUNY Potsdam, Crane School of Music. Christopher believes that music "hits the emotions" and wants to share this with his students when they are depressed or in need of something to build confidence. Christopher enjoys playing violin at weddings, because he finds joy when his music brings happiness to the couple preparing to make a commitment to each other for a lifetime. When not playing or listening to music, Christopher likes to research information relating to real estate management and helps his father at the buildings where he is a superintendent. Christopher can be contacted through this email link.
"Children Sing and Snap" by Old Shoe Woman is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
A Voice for Change
Isaac Newman: This project focuses on creating music that is symbolic and representative of who we are and our beliefs. Designed for kindergarten through sixth grade general music classes, students explore peace-building through artistic expression and empathy through musicking. The "Voice for Change" project includes activities from Musicians Without Borders, improvisation, and songwriting where students feel comfortable and safe to voice their opinions.
To download this project click HERE.
Isaac Newman (he/him/his) is an elementary general music teacher at the Niagara Charter School in the Buffalo region. He graduated from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with a bachelors in music education. Isaac is expected to receive his masters in the Fall of 2023. Isaac is a very passionate about music education. He wants all his students to succeed, and knows all his students will change the world in a positive and peaceful manner. Isaac is primarily a horn player, but is currently learning how to play banjo. In his free time, he loves cooking, reading, board games, and video games.
Isaac can be contacted through email link.
Isaac Newman: This project focuses on creating music that is symbolic and representative of who we are and our beliefs. Designed for kindergarten through sixth grade general music classes, students explore peace-building through artistic expression and empathy through musicking. The "Voice for Change" project includes activities from Musicians Without Borders, improvisation, and songwriting where students feel comfortable and safe to voice their opinions.
To download this project click HERE.
Isaac Newman (he/him/his) is an elementary general music teacher at the Niagara Charter School in the Buffalo region. He graduated from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with a bachelors in music education. Isaac is expected to receive his masters in the Fall of 2023. Isaac is a very passionate about music education. He wants all his students to succeed, and knows all his students will change the world in a positive and peaceful manner. Isaac is primarily a horn player, but is currently learning how to play banjo. In his free time, he loves cooking, reading, board games, and video games.
Isaac can be contacted through email link.
"Music City Youth Orchestra" by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Social Justice through Ensemble Performance
Melanie Sadoff: This project is intended for application in an orchestral setting but can be utilized with any ensemble and any piece of music. Ensemble instructors facilitate finding an issue that they and their musicians are passionate about. Together, the instructor and musicians use a piece of music to connect their chosen cause and develop community, empathy, and overall intra- and interpersonal peace. To download this project click HERE.
Melanie Sadoff (she/her/hers) is an orchestra teacher at the Nanuet Union Free School District in southern New York. She graduated from Ithaca College, 2020, and is currently a graduate student at The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. Social justice and music education are great passions for Melanie and she feels very lucky to have seen their intersections in the Peacebuilding Through Music Education course. Melanie is primarily a cellist, is teaching herself guitar and different Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). In her free time, she loves hiking, cooking great food, and having a movie or game night with her mother, brother, and twin sister.
Melanie can be contacted through this email link.
Melanie Sadoff: This project is intended for application in an orchestral setting but can be utilized with any ensemble and any piece of music. Ensemble instructors facilitate finding an issue that they and their musicians are passionate about. Together, the instructor and musicians use a piece of music to connect their chosen cause and develop community, empathy, and overall intra- and interpersonal peace. To download this project click HERE.
Melanie Sadoff (she/her/hers) is an orchestra teacher at the Nanuet Union Free School District in southern New York. She graduated from Ithaca College, 2020, and is currently a graduate student at The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. Social justice and music education are great passions for Melanie and she feels very lucky to have seen their intersections in the Peacebuilding Through Music Education course. Melanie is primarily a cellist, is teaching herself guitar and different Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). In her free time, she loves hiking, cooking great food, and having a movie or game night with her mother, brother, and twin sister.
Melanie can be contacted through this email link.
"Middle School Students Collaborating" by deboxer is licensed under CC BY 2.0
We Are: Building Empathy in Middle School through Musical Composition
Stephanie Gwilt: This project, designed for Middle School Music class, involves creating original digital music utilizing Soundtrap or garage band to illustrate and underscore an "I Am" poem. Then, the class pairs up opposite musical compositions and those teams work together to fuse their poems and music into a new collaborative work based on a "We Are" poem. Through this creative endeavor, students will discover similarities and celebrate their unique differences, forging connections with peers and developing their empathetic skills.
To download this project click HERE.
Stephanie Gwilt is a Middle School general and vocal music teacher in the Oneida City School District in central New York. A dedicated music educator for twenty-one years, Stephanie earned her B.A. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in 2000 and her M.S. in Childhood Education with a concentration in Social Studies from SUNY Cortland in 2004. She is a lifelong resident of Oneida, NY, where she lives with her husband and two teenage sons. Stephanie can be contacted through this email link.
Stephanie Gwilt: This project, designed for Middle School Music class, involves creating original digital music utilizing Soundtrap or garage band to illustrate and underscore an "I Am" poem. Then, the class pairs up opposite musical compositions and those teams work together to fuse their poems and music into a new collaborative work based on a "We Are" poem. Through this creative endeavor, students will discover similarities and celebrate their unique differences, forging connections with peers and developing their empathetic skills.
To download this project click HERE.
Stephanie Gwilt is a Middle School general and vocal music teacher in the Oneida City School District in central New York. A dedicated music educator for twenty-one years, Stephanie earned her B.A. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in 2000 and her M.S. in Childhood Education with a concentration in Social Studies from SUNY Cortland in 2004. She is a lifelong resident of Oneida, NY, where she lives with her husband and two teenage sons. Stephanie can be contacted through this email link.
Creative Commons
Duets to End Division
Julia Bellante has created a Peace Building Project that can be used in any music classroom or instrumental ensemble. The project was designed to combat the divisiveness of student cliques and to help bring about inclusion, compassion, and harmony through creating duets with mixed pairs of students. To download her project click HERE.
Julia Bellante is a 4th and 5th grade band teacher on Long Island. She teaches band lessons and large ensembles in three of the five elementary schools in her district. Julia is committed to the idea of the lifelong musical learner and her band curriculum strives to cultivate this idea among her students. Julia can be contacted through this email link.
Julia Bellante has created a Peace Building Project that can be used in any music classroom or instrumental ensemble. The project was designed to combat the divisiveness of student cliques and to help bring about inclusion, compassion, and harmony through creating duets with mixed pairs of students. To download her project click HERE.
Julia Bellante is a 4th and 5th grade band teacher on Long Island. She teaches band lessons and large ensembles in three of the five elementary schools in her district. Julia is committed to the idea of the lifelong musical learner and her band curriculum strives to cultivate this idea among her students. Julia can be contacted through this email link.
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Songwriting for Social Justice
Victoria Rosales has designed a four-part sequence of activities that strives to create community and build relationships through a restorative justice lens. The goal is for the participants to learn about music's effect on activism throughout history and create their own songs dedicated to a social justice movement of their choice. Originally designed for middle school general music classes, this project can be adapted for any group. To download her project click HERE. Victoria is a 5th through 8th grade choral and general music teacher in Vermont. She is active in the Vermont Music Educators Association and believes that all students are their most creative and interactive selves in music class. Victoria graduated from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in 2019 with a BM in Music Education and will graduate with her MM in 2021. She can be contacted through this email link. |
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Creative Commons
Peace Day Project
Danielle Holmes has designed a comprehensive Peace Day Assembly that includes all students, faculty, and parents in experiencing and promoting peace through music, art, composition, and even a school Peace Garden. This project can be replicated by any elementary or middle school and can be developed into an ongoing yearly event. To download her project click HERE.
Danielle Holmes is very excited to have begun her career as a music educators in the Sachem Central School district this past year where she teaches K-5 General Music and 4th/5th grade chorus. She graduated from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance in 2019. Since graduating, she has moved back home to Long Island where she is an active member of her local chapter of the Long Island Orff-Schulwerk Association (LIOSA), NAfME, and co-chairs Division 1 West Band of SCMEA. Danielle is continuing her graduate students at SUNY Potsdam in Music Education. She can be contacted through this email link.
Danielle Holmes has designed a comprehensive Peace Day Assembly that includes all students, faculty, and parents in experiencing and promoting peace through music, art, composition, and even a school Peace Garden. This project can be replicated by any elementary or middle school and can be developed into an ongoing yearly event. To download her project click HERE.
Danielle Holmes is very excited to have begun her career as a music educators in the Sachem Central School district this past year where she teaches K-5 General Music and 4th/5th grade chorus. She graduated from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam with degrees in Music Education and Clarinet Performance in 2019. Since graduating, she has moved back home to Long Island where she is an active member of her local chapter of the Long Island Orff-Schulwerk Association (LIOSA), NAfME, and co-chairs Division 1 West Band of SCMEA. Danielle is continuing her graduate students at SUNY Potsdam in Music Education. She can be contacted through this email link.
Creative Commons
A Celebration of Cultures
Alyssa Loftus has designed an intercultural music unit, culminating with a night of cultural performance, activities, and food, and is intended to serve as an educational, collaborative, and inclusive musical journey which reflects the cultures and traditions of your very own community. As a teacher in a diverse district, she feels it is imperative that we not only acknowledge, but celebrate the rich traditions that surround us. In efforts to transcend barriers that divide, this unit sets out to reshape the way students interact with cultural identity. These experiences lead way to vulnerable, empathetic collaboration in which all parties feel acknowledged, celebrated, valued, and connected. Through collaborative, intercultural musicking, peace is possible! To download her project, click HERE.
Alyssa Loftus teaches middle school chorus and general music in Patchague-Medford, NY. She earned a B.S. in Music Education from Hofstra University in 2019 and is continuing her graduate studies at The Crane School of Music. She is passionate about promoting empathy through musicking and sharing the healing power of singing. She can be contacted through this email link.
Alyssa Loftus has designed an intercultural music unit, culminating with a night of cultural performance, activities, and food, and is intended to serve as an educational, collaborative, and inclusive musical journey which reflects the cultures and traditions of your very own community. As a teacher in a diverse district, she feels it is imperative that we not only acknowledge, but celebrate the rich traditions that surround us. In efforts to transcend barriers that divide, this unit sets out to reshape the way students interact with cultural identity. These experiences lead way to vulnerable, empathetic collaboration in which all parties feel acknowledged, celebrated, valued, and connected. Through collaborative, intercultural musicking, peace is possible! To download her project, click HERE.
Alyssa Loftus teaches middle school chorus and general music in Patchague-Medford, NY. She earned a B.S. in Music Education from Hofstra University in 2019 and is continuing her graduate studies at The Crane School of Music. She is passionate about promoting empathy through musicking and sharing the healing power of singing. She can be contacted through this email link.
Used by permission from Musicians Without Borders
Creative Collaborative Curriculum
Tim Lambert was inspired by June Boyce-Tillman to create a Project-Based Curriculum for his music students to connect in meaningful peace building experiences throughout an entire year. The Reverend Professor Boyce-Tilman creates multicultural performances as the "weaver" (Urbain, 2015, p. 215) of empathic and connecting musical experiences that value a collaborative approach with audience and performers alike. Her model of a director/composer serving as "weaver" is one that values democratic collaboration, equality, and inclusion as opposed to the traditional Western classical model involving a "benevolent dictator" (p. 215). Tim's goal is to apply this approach and leverage his position as a chorus director to create peaceful and empathic connections throughout the entire student community. His multi-phase project utilizes selected musicking experiences from Musicians Without Borders that can be adapted for any secondary level music program. To download his project, click HERE.
Tim Lambert is an energetic and eclectic musician, director, and educator. During his 15 years as a professional, Tim has enjoyed many opportunities including directing seasonal holiday productions, performing rock, folk, and dance music on conference stages, and directing community choirs for national recording artists. He has taught and mentored musicians at three school districts, Pearce Memorial Church, and Roberts Wesleyan College. When he is not teaching music, Tim may be found following the ups and (many) downs of the Buffalo Bills, going hiking with his wife, three boys, and dog Reba, or playing strategic board games with friends. He can be reached via email through this LINK.
Tim Lambert was inspired by June Boyce-Tillman to create a Project-Based Curriculum for his music students to connect in meaningful peace building experiences throughout an entire year. The Reverend Professor Boyce-Tilman creates multicultural performances as the "weaver" (Urbain, 2015, p. 215) of empathic and connecting musical experiences that value a collaborative approach with audience and performers alike. Her model of a director/composer serving as "weaver" is one that values democratic collaboration, equality, and inclusion as opposed to the traditional Western classical model involving a "benevolent dictator" (p. 215). Tim's goal is to apply this approach and leverage his position as a chorus director to create peaceful and empathic connections throughout the entire student community. His multi-phase project utilizes selected musicking experiences from Musicians Without Borders that can be adapted for any secondary level music program. To download his project, click HERE.
Tim Lambert is an energetic and eclectic musician, director, and educator. During his 15 years as a professional, Tim has enjoyed many opportunities including directing seasonal holiday productions, performing rock, folk, and dance music on conference stages, and directing community choirs for national recording artists. He has taught and mentored musicians at three school districts, Pearce Memorial Church, and Roberts Wesleyan College. When he is not teaching music, Tim may be found following the ups and (many) downs of the Buffalo Bills, going hiking with his wife, three boys, and dog Reba, or playing strategic board games with friends. He can be reached via email through this LINK.
