Seona McDowell`s Middle/High School Program Brochure

Residency Programs
Australia: The land Downunder:
This is a time line study of Australian settlement starting with the Aborigines, convicts, gold miners, shearers,
drovers, swagmen, bushrangers, to the people that made Australia the country it is today. Seona shows teachers and students how these dry subjects can come alive! During the residency, students and their teacher
will use research, be able to organize knowledge and ideas and will be encouraged to work with some of
the Aussie dances and songs taught by her to change the words and actions to reflect any country they are
studying. Sometimes, the art teacher will do a section on primitive art and the gym teacher will do a section
on folk dancing. Seona plays guitar, autoharp and didgeridoo (Aboriginal instrument). Through songs, dances and stories she weaves in history, geography and social studies as well as giving circular breathing lessons
so that they can play the didgeridoo that they make during the residency. Active participation by teachers
and students is encouraged by playing in her bush band, joining in song and bush dancing. By enjoying and
comprehending what they are learning, students are more likely to retain knowledge. Grades 5-12. Program
adapted to specific age group.
Songwriting: A Creative Career:
Each residency is a unique experience. By contacting teachers ahead of time to determine what students
are studying, she is able to tailor her residency and provide an enhanced learning experience.
This is a residency of creative writing and learning how to make a career while having fun. Students have
the opportunity of writing about subjects that they are studying. Songwriting is a great tool to use for critical
thinking and generosity of spirit as the work produced is a class effort. Seona has a 4 track digital studio and
she shares with the students the intricacies of the recording industry. She teaches students about rhythm and
notes and the school is given a book of all the songs the students have written with the music and chords as
well as a master disk of all the songs recorded. On the last day of the residency, students put down the song
that the class has created. She demonstrates songs by great writers who have made it in the industry. Her
own record, “Gossamer Wings”, recorded in Australia, was nominated record of the month and was nominated
for the top music award. Some students told her that they have used their songs as part of their resume to get
into college. Students have the opportunity to perform their work live during an evening concert presented
by Seona McDowell. Lesson Plans are available and adaptable. Grades 5-8
Australian Bush Dancing
The origins of Australian bush dancing came from the people who were sent there as convicts and subsequently, people who came in the gold rush. It is very similar to American contra dancing with it’s own
Aussie flavor and stories. Most of these dances originated in Europe: France, England, Germany, Ireland and
Scotland. With migration, these dances changed as they were incorporated into the culture. This residency
brings in history, geography, social studies and language. As well as teaching listening skills, visualization,
spatial awareness and kinetics perception Seona also makes sure that the audience is quiet so that the dancers can hear instructions. She will leave a CD of the dances as well as a calling sheet of the dances. You will
hear the Irish, Scottish and German influences in the music of such dances as “The Waves Of Bondi”, “Ned
Kelly’s Farewell,” “The Stockyards, “The Queensland Backstep” and “The Heel and Toe Polka”.
Contact:
G.G. Greg Agency
440-266-1732/800-901-8485
[email protected]
www.seonamcdowell.com
Seona McDowell
Spark Your Middle and High School Students’ Imagination with
Lively, Interactive, Educational Concerts and Residencies .
Concerts
About the Artist
Seona McDowell was born in India of Irish/English
parents. She grew up on a farm in New Zealand,
learned classical piano for eight years and then
moved to Australia where she began her musical
career. She was approached by a national music
company and asked to perform Australian history
through music in the schools. Not being an Aussie,
she went to the library all summer trying to work out
a fun way of learning history, geography and social
studies. Seona came up with programs that have
been honed over the years. She won the OZ music
award for “Best Female Australian Folk Singer” twice,
toured with Don McLean, Roy Orbison and many
other top names. Seona performed for The Kennedy
Center’s “Imagination Celebrations” for three years all over The States and had her own show in Cleveland, OH,
on Public Radio, “WCPN Live With Seona McDowell.” She now lives in Maryland and is showing teachers and
students how the arts are an essential aspect of history and the human experience. Seona is on the Maryland
Arts Council roster, has completed classes at the Teaching Arts Institute and was invited to present workshops
on arts integration, working with 100 teachers to enhance Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC) through the
Maryland Artist/Teacher Institute.
Seona continues to be involved in arts integration in many states, presenting workshops for various arts
education organizations, including the South Carolina Alliance for Arts Education, where she demonstrates to
educators how learning can be enhanced through the arts. Seona is affiliated with the Maryland Arts Council,
The Arts Council of Fairfax Co. Creative Arts Program (CAPS) Greater Columbus Arts Council Artist in Schools
Program, (OH) Centre, East (IL) United Arts Council (NC), Bluemont Concert Association (VA), Montgomery CO
PTA (MD) and Ohio Arts Presenters Network.
Seona McDowell makes history, geography, literature and social studies come alive
through lively, interactive musical concerts for Middle and High School Students
Australia, The Land Down Under
AUSTRALIA, THE LAND DOWN UNDER: Performing on guitar,
autoharp and didgeridoo (Aborigine instrument), Seona looks
at the history, geography, and culture beginning with the
Aborigines, convicts goldminers, shearers, drovers, swagmen,
bushrangers to modern day. She has students and teachers
playing in her bush band, singing on microphones and
bush dancing. By enjoying and comprehending what they
are learning, students are more likely to retain knowledge.
Grades 5-12. Program adapted to specific audience age.
TEACHER’S WORKBOOK INCLUDED
Citizens of the World
Why do most people not consider themselves to be world
citizens? We live on this planet together; we share the
same air and are warmed by the same sun. This program is
about understanding cultures throughout the world and
how people have traveled and incorporated their cultures
into new societies. Prejudice is caused by ignorance. If
we understand that there are usually practical reasons as
to why people dress differently, eat, what maybe to us ,
strange foods and talk in different languages, then we are
grasping that we are all human beings on planet Earth and
being so, we are all interdependent and must cooperate
globally to survive. Seona will have the students playing in
her world band, singing on the microphone, doing hand
actions and dancing. This program is perfectly suited for
Grades 5-8. TEACHER’S WORKBOOK INCLUDED
“We had middle and high school aged students participation in Australian folk
dancing and playing in an impromptu band - and to get a group of teenagers out
of their seats is an accomplishment in itself! The information that Seona shared
was well organized and beautifully presented. It’s hard to image a 45 minute
presentation which includes as many facts as her does. Her story telling ability
is amazing and even when sharing dry facts, she presents those facts in a causal,
conversational manner, interspersed with humor. Everyone was captivated.”
Judi Parson, AIS Program Coord., Monticello Opera House, Monticello, FL
Erin Go Braugh
“It was truly a pleasure to have Seona McDowell perform at our Lunch and Lyric
Program.She was a smash hit! Her style of music appealed to all and drew our
largest crowd yet.”
Lynn Haug, Kilcawley Ctr., Youngstown State Univ., OH
On the 17th of March, everyone is Irish. Most people don’t realize that Saint Patrick was actually the son of a
Roman Senator stationed on the coast of England. The Romans were ruling England at the time. Irish pirates
swept down the coast of England, capturing St. Patrick and taking him back to Ireland as a slave. The Irish
are noted for their blarney (wild Storytelling), wicked sense of humor, wonderful literature and beautiful,
tuneful music. This is a fun program that provides insight into Irish life and character through music, dance
and stories. You too can play in the Irish band and so some Irish Dancing. Grades 5-12. Program adapted to
specific audience age. TEACHER’S WORKBOOK INCLUDED