Hall, David

Project 1: Kindergarten
Expect a lot of play and movement at this level. Over a five day residency you and your class will play rhythm instruments, sing and listen to songs, dance and move to live music and movement games, and collectively write an original song based on topics previously studied or newly chosen. Past songs include "O-o-viparous," a collective effort about oviparous animals, and "Jokes," a "puzzle" song in which students individually write and insert their own tasteful jokes.

Project 2: Early Elementary (grades 1-4)
Because many students say, "I can't write a song, but I can write a poem," David uses his "Poem to Song" process to help individual students craft songs from their original poetry as a means to illustrate the prosody that already exists within their writing. Collectively, you and your class will write and craft an original song, based on any topic, to be sung to a familiar or original tune, depending on David's judgment. Expect a lot of spirited brainstorming and open discussion throughout this process. To heighten engagement, David will interject his own songs, singing, and musical movement and play.

Project 3: Upper Elementary and Middle School (grades 5-8)
David has yet to present a residency to this level but is excited to do so. He imagines a similar process as described above with more sophisticated results.


Biography:
David is a children's songwriter and performing musician, a certified K-8 classroom teacher, a music teacher at Sunnyside Environmental School, a four-year veteran Music Together teacher, and a proficient Spanish speaker. His debut album of 14 original songs, Bee Positive, has received a 2005 National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honors Award, a 2004 Parents' Choice Approved Award, First Prize in the 2006 Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival's New Song Showcase, and Honorable Mention in the 2003 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. (www.beepositive.bz) He is currently working on his second CD, which will be released at the Aladdin Theater in December of this year. David uses his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, master’s degree in education from PSU, 17 years of experience working with children, and his language skills to quickly bond with and inspire students of varied cultural backgrounds.