Who
Ross Green
Ross Green is a singer/songwriter and graduate of the Cinema, Television, Stage and Radio Arts program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Canada. Shortly before graduation in 1989, Ross received the Regional Directors Award (the highest award possible) at the CBC Broadcast Festival for his work in music composition and video production.
During the 80’s he was a singer/performer in Western Canada and was awarded recording grants through the A.M.P. (Alberta Music Project) and FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Record) to pursue his original music. He's completed two CD's which can be heard here on Soundcloud
Ross has been working in music, television, video and radio production as a technician/arranger/producer and performer for 25 years. He produced radio spots from Thailand, Cambodia and Cuba for CBC's 'Global Village'; a one hour weekly radio program that covered music news from around the world.
He recently became TEFL certified to enhance the teaching/learning possibilities of English as a Second Language in the MSI songwriting program. "By default the songwriting program is an ESL class as well."
What
How it works:
The students form a songwriting team/band. As a band they have things that need to be created:
- name for the band
- topic to write about
- title for the song
- style and composition of music (we compose on real instruments and/or music software)
- lyrics/song structure
- hands on video shooting
There are simple workshops explaining the various aspects of music:
- singing (pitch, pronunciation, breath control)
- rhythm (tempo, percussion)
- lyric writing
- song structures
- melody
- the recording process
- the video production process
Once the song is written and rehearsed we take a trip to a local recording studio. If there isn't one, we use our mobile studio. This is a really fun part of the program as it introduces a level of creating which is quite new to them. When the headsets go on and the microphone gets turned up, the 'fun meter' goes well into the red. We’ll start the video process here and add more video shoots after the song has been recorded. Some of the benefits for the students:
- Teamwork/decision making in a group environment
- Songwriting as a fun, experiential way to improve English skills
- Increased self-confidence from accomplishment and performance
- Experiencing creative processes (waking up the ‘right’ brain)
- Self-expression
- Joy
Though the program has been running as a group program there is no reason it wouldn't work in a one on one scenario. This program is adaptable.
Why
When
The program currently runs as an after school activity but would be suitable as a summer, community or as an outreach program as well.
It’s recommended as a one-month program with 60 minute classes 5 days per week.
Under special circumstances we have condensed the process into a two-week time period.
We are currently designing shorter 'experiential programs' (2 day-2 week) for those unable to host the regular time frame.
Where
Where does the money go?
Donations are used for:
-audio/video recording gear and musical supplies. Most of the recording gear has come out of my pocket but there are small costs sometimes like headphones and external drives. The kids now have two cameras to use. My 4 year old MBP computer is still cookin! When it dies I will try to get a donated one that can handle video and audio production.
-food*
-lodging*
-admin costs (website, communications)
-transportation (domestic)*
-fundraising
-instruments given to students
-monies donated to orphanages/schools
*MSI is currently a one person operation so all cost are for one person only.
If anyone is interested in seeing a more detailed break down of annual budgets please email me and we can talk about what year and what goes on.
Where has MSI been so far?
Nepal
Boudhanath, Kathmandu
Why
Related information:
TED talk Ken Robinson on how schools kill creativity
TED talk Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight
BBC report on the power of group singing
Top Twenty Reasons Why Children Should Study Music