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Texas
Independence Day
Celebration 2002
Irons Junior High School
National Ranching Heritage Center
Lubbock,
TX - Texas Independence Day Celebration 2002 at Irons
Junior High School celebrates 10 years of supplemental
programs on the roots of Texas music. Developed by
musician/historian Lanny Fiel, this unique and innovative
project has grown into an annual affair. Connecting
the study of traditional music to orchestral performance
and historical research, Fiel has collaborated with
Irons Orchestra Director Margaret Johnson and Texas
History instructor Claudette Miller to broaden student
awareness of West Texas musical roots. Joining the
collaboration this year, Manager of Education Programs
Stephanie Gray at the National Ranching Heritage Center
has expanded studies to include ranching history.
As a cosponsor in previous years, the National Ranching
Heritage Center now takes center stage to host this
daylong event on the grounds of the NHRC.
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Pre-AP
Dance Sessions
National Ranching Heritage Center
6666 Barn
- Fall 2001
Pre-Advanced
Placement students from Irons Junior High Texas History
classes begin the project with a visit to the National
Ranching Heritage Center in the fall of 2001. At this
time, each student from this select group chooses a
building to research for a presentation to their peers
on Texas Independence Day 2002. During their initial
visit, Pre-AP kids experience the ranch dance tradition
in the surroundings of the historic 6666 Barn. Here,
members of The Ranch Dance Fiddle Band are on hand to
teach ranch dance steps and perform historic Texas country
music. |
Classroom
Dance Sessions
Irons
Junior High School
7th
Grade Texas History Classes - Fall 2001
Continuing
fall activities, members of the Ranch Dance Fiddle
Band visit 7th grade classrooms at Irons Junior High
School for further study of ranch dance steps. Building
on the lessons learned at the 6666 Barn, Pre-AP students
work with the band to teach fellow Texas History students
the two-step, waltz, polka, schottische, and specialty
numbers including, "Coming Through the Rye,"
"Ten Pretty Girls," and "Varsouviana."
The dance sessions are designed to immerse students
in the ranch dance experience and prepare them to
participate in a ranch dance during Texas Independence
Day Celebration 2002 at the National Ranching Heritage
Center.
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Classroom
Performances
Irons Junior High School
7th
Grade Texas History Classes - January/February 2002
Phase
two of the project begins in the winter term with
classroom performances by The Ranch Dance Fiddle Band.
Appearing for each 7th grade Texas History class,
the group introduces Irons students to the history
of the ranch dance tradition and roots of West Texas
music. Through live performances, lecture demonstrations,
and group participation, youngsters trace this musical
legacy from medieval times to the present day. Tracking
origins and influences, Texas History students learn
of their own connection to the past and how the process
has shaped the culture in West Texas.
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Orchestra
Workshop
Irons
Junior High School
Orchestra
Clinic and Workshop - January/February 2002
As
Irons Texas History classes become acquainted with
the historical aspects of ranch dance traditions,
members of the Irons Junior High School Orchestra
explore the music itself. Through a series of clinic/workshop
presentations by Lanny Fiel, young string players
learn style, technique, and the nuances of this Texas
musical heritage. Students study and perform special
arrangements of historic Texas music provided by Fiel
and by Tom Hudson, Assistant Orchestra Director at
McAllen High School in McAllen, Texas. Hudson also
works with the McHi Philharmonic Orchestra and the
McHi Bulldog Fiddlers in McAllen. Under the direction
of Margaret Johnson, the workshop culminates in a
presentation by the Irons Junior High School Orchestra
during Texas Independence Day Celebration 2002.
Factoid:
Original members of The Ranch Dance Fiddle Band were
among the members of the first Irons Orchestra to
participate in this program ten years ago.
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Classroom
Dance Sessions
Irons
Junior High School
7th
Grade Texas History Classes - January/February 2002
Having
now experienced the ranch dance tradition in both
dance sessions and classroom historical presentations,
Irons Texas History students are provided further
opportunity to hone their skill on the dance floor.
Small classroom dance sessions focus on mastering
the steps in preparation for Texas Independence Day
Celebration 2002. In addition to sessions with history
instructor Claudette Miller, members of the Ranch
Dance Fiddle Band once again visit classrooms for
final sessions with students. Topics from historical
presentations are connected to the actual steps in
a summary review designed to reinforce concepts and
broaden awareness of this West Texas musical legacy.
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Texas
Independence Day Celebration
National
Ranching Heritage Center
Lanny Fiel and the Ranch Dance Fiddle Band
Irons Junior High School Orchestra
7th Grade Texas History Classes - March 1, 2002
Irons
Texas History students visit the National Ranching
Heritage Center for a daylong field trip. Scheduled
guest speakers, chuck wagon cooking, and traditional
games highlight presentations by Pre-Advanced Placement
students on research they have completed on historic
ranch buildings at the NRHC. The surroundings of these
authentic structures and exhibits provide the backdrop
for a concert by the Irons Junior High School Orchestra
followed by a performance by Lanny Fiel and the Ranch
Dance Fiddle Band. During the performance, Irons Texas
history students now display their skill on the dance
floor, participating with the band by finishing the
day with an authentic ranch dance on the Campbell
Patio.
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Memo from NHRC
For
almost 10 years, Lanny Fiel has instructed orchestra
students at Irons Junior High, helping them to learn
and appreciate traditional fiddle music. The first
members of what is now the Ranch Dance Fiddle Band
came from that experience.
The music instruction eventually evolved into another
aspect of the classroom, as Lanny began working with
7th grade Texas History teacher, Claudette Miller,
5 years ago. To compliment Claudette's Texas History
instruction, Lanny and many of his band members came
into the classroom several times a year to teach students
traditional dance steps such as the Two-Step, Waltz,
Put Your Little Foot, and Ten Pretty Girls.
Lanny's music and dance instruction have now become
a part of the annual Texas Independence Day Celebration,
created by Claudette Miller. Each 7th grade Texas
History student at Irons Junior High participates
in this daylong event that includes special guest
speakers, chuck wagon cooking, traditional games,
music and dance. The entire celebration is a hands-on
extension of lessons learned in the classroom and
for the past two years has been a great success with
parents, teachers and students.
The
National Ranching Heritage Center has been invited
to become a part of this celebration by offering
a unique learning experience in an authentic setting.
Not only will the NRHC have the opportunity to participate
in the actual celebration on March 1, 2002, but
it will also serve as a learning resource throughout
the 2001-2002 school year. Pre-Advanced Placement
students will attend scheduled visits and special
events to gather information on ranching history.
This select group of students will choose a building,
conduct research and write a paper that will be
presented to their peers during the Texas Independence
Day Celebration. This is an exciting educational
opportunity for the National Ranching Heritage Center.
Stephanie Gray
Manager of Education Programs
National Ranching Heritage Center
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