Page 40 - 2024_Mag_91-2

Classroom Practice/Program

After the photo opportunity, we were guided on a
brief tour of the music department, and then we came to
our final destination, which was the advanced vocal jazz
studies music room. Prior to the event, Dr. Calderwood
had stated that one of her current college students, Evan,
was looking forward to seeing me as I had been his vocal
music/chorus teacher when he was in elementary school!
Choral Music Exchange Event

As the exchange event got under way, I was happy to
see Evan when he walked in! What a nice reunion! I have
supported him by attending a couple of his high school
musicals, but I had not seen him in 2 years. He is now
graduating from LBCC with an AA degree. He told me
that he is going to continue with his studies in musical
theater! Evan’s success is not surprising as, according
to officials from Americans for the Arts (2024), “low- Ember, Evan, and Jaime reunite with their
income students [who] are highly engaged in the arts are former music teacher.
twice as likely to graduate college as their peers with no
arts education” (para. 3).
As the college students continued to trickle in, I played vocal warm-ups on the grand piano for our
Birney Grade 5 students. While we sang, the college students joined us as they were getting themselves
settled into rehearsal and setting up their microphone equipment. Nine college singers were in attendance
that day. The two choirs warmed up their voices together,
sang songs for one another, and performed a combined
song. Our Birney students also were enriched by the
beautiful choral jazz music sung by the college students;
they enjoyed not only unforgettable layered harmonies
but also elegant vocal improvisational solos.
One unexpected surprise was I had not just one
former elementary student in this college choir but three:
Evan, Ember, and Jaime! With 54 elementary and 6 K–8
schools, Long Beach Unified School District is one of the
largest districts in the state of California. It is amazing
that I have had so many students enjoy music so much
in elementary school that they continued their interest in
music to middle school, high school, and now college
Vinnard conducts warm-up session for LBCC choir and beyond!
and Birney groups.
Benefits and Gains from the Choral
Music Exchange

At the end of the event, we took a celebratory group photo. The entire event was a community-building
experience for all in attendance. It was enriching for the Birney students: partaking in activities at an
institution of higher learning, working with college singers and a college professor, and participating in
advanced vocal jazz choral techniques. For the college students, it was sweet for them to see students
where they had once been—in elementary school chorus—and now to be inspiring younger kids. For the
teachers, it was nice to work together, collaborate collectively for their students, and build friendships.

38 · Volume 91-2