Leavenworth Glow Show gives kids an opportunity to shine
This is a great example of what happens when teachers are given just enough freedom — and support — to try something a little unconventional.
Cascade School District art teacher Amber Zimmerman and music teacher Angie Bates have hit on a winning formula to showcase the art and music skills of the district’s elementary school students.
Last week, Bates and Zimmerman organized the school’s second annual Glow Concerts, a music and art extravaganza featuring black lights, glowing drumsticks and ukuleles, as well as music voted on by the students.
“I really wanted (the students) to do songs they wanted to sing,” said Bates, who is an Alaska native and moved to the Upper Valley to take advantage of the valley’s rock climbing opportunities.
The excitement of the students was palpable as they performed. Behind them was a backdrop of art panels from all of the students. It was quite a scene. Having student-selected music (albeit vetted by the administration) ensured that the kids would get excited about the performance.
Like so many teachers in schools all over North Central Washington, Bates and Zimmerman put in a tremendous amount of time, energy and planning into pulling off the concerts, which were held on separate dates to accommodate all of the parents and family members.
The last time the district had a performance with all of the third, fourth and fifth-grade students was prior to Covid. Zimmerman and Bates were successful in getting grant funding from organizations like the Cascade Education Foundation and the North Central Education Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the North Central Educational Service District.
Zimmerman and Bates want to establish a dynamic, fun and entertaining event that can be done year after year, so that kids get excited about the opportunity to participate. After the kids picked the songs, Zimmerman worked with the students to develop visual aspects from the lyrics to help showcase the song. Because the artwork was going to be part of a public performance, the kids got very excited about doing their best work. The kids are so enthusiastic that they want to make art in the dark and listen to music, according to Zimmerman.
“My takeaway is that you can’t go wrong with collaborative events,” said Zimmerman, because the teachers were every bit as excited as the students. “I think you have a few more tricks up your sleeve when you’re working together,” agreed Bates.
After two years of successful Glow Concerts, Zimmerman and Bates are sensing a growing momentum. Bates said second graders are already asking if they’ll get to perform next year, to which the answer is a resounding yes.
The Glow Show creates opportunities for all kids to be part of a theatrical production, rather than just a few. And given the enthusiastic support of the families and friends in the audience, they have hit upon a winning combination. Zimmerman said it was a joy to see students who are avid artists also sing and dance. “When you see them up there, and they’re just dancing and singing, and you see their art and you’re like ‘I see a whole different side of you,’” she said.
Zimmerman’s position is paid for with contributions by Village Art in the Park and Icicle Creek Center for the Arts With schools struggling budget-wise, having community partners fund an artist in the classroom makes it possible for kids to have these important experiences.
In the last few years, the district has received funding for ukuleles and has built up a stockpile of the stringed instruments that can be used year after year. “A lot of them had never played a stringed instrument before, and they were getting it,” said Bates.
Some of the students are quite skilled as they learn to change chords and strum the ukuleles.
One of the advantages of ukuleles is that even when they are played out of tune, they are easy on the ears, unlike, say, a recorder or a violin. That makes it easier for the teachers and there’s no shame in that.
It was a thrill to see Angie Bates and Amber Zimmerman expressing their creativity in offering an opportunity for their students to create art and play music. The kids responded with enthusiasm.
If you’re thinking about this more broadly—whether as a parent, educator, or community member—it raises an interesting question: how many more programs like this could exist with just a bit more support and collaboration?
Consider a contribution to the North Central Education Foundation (loveteachers.org), or the Cascade Education Foundation, to support great work like this.
