About Student projects

It all started when I was teaching K-12 general music and band at the J. Graham Brown School in Louisville, Kentucky.  I was starting my third year at the school and was inspired to have my students create after I attended an Orff-Schulwerk Levels training at the University of Kentucky.

Knowing that student created band pieces were very rare at this time, I worked to develop unique ways to connect my students to writing music.  My middle school students created a story through which they connected form, melody, harmony, dynamics, tempo, timbre and rhythm.  My high school students used photographs of buildings, bridges, and sculptures from downtown Louisville as an impetus to create a 9 movement band work.

This experience opened my mind to a whole new way of approaching music education.  I witnessed my students taking ownership of their music making, being critical listeners, and becoming more collaborative with their band mates.    

It was because of this experience that I vowed to publish music written by students for the public to appreciate.  I ultimately want everyone to realize that our students are very capable and can do amazing things when they are provided the opportunity.   

Published Student Work

The "Sounds of Louisville" Composition Project by the J. Graham Brown High School Band in collaboration with advising composer, Wendell Yuponce took place in Louisville, KY in the year 2012.   The project was supported by "Composers and Schools in Concert" in Petaluma, California.  CSIC

Project facilitation by: K. Michelle Lewis

Vodcast Project with 5th Graders at Bloom Elementary School

Reinventing Nursery Rhymes with Compassion and Kindness-Bloom Elementary School 3rd Grade