Tuesday, July 23, 2002

Yesterday marked the start of classes for all Satori campers. So, naturally, we want to report about all our classes, and that includes the Palm Music Project. Although it was a great class, it was a hard building to find and many people came late. Wanna know about it? Even if you don't, I'm going to tell you. Let's start with how the Palm Project got to Satori this year. The instructor, Bryan Bogue, started a music program, composing and performing, at the Libby Center in Spokane this year. After Mike heard the fifth and sixth graders perform in April, he asked Bryan to bring the program to Satori and to teach it. So, Mr. Bogue said, that was how it started.

He started the class with a talk, and we also introduced ourselves. Bryan started by introducing himself. He was born in Tacoma, Washington. On his resume? Doing percussion with the Spokane Symphony for twenty six years and teaching in Spokane School District for fifteen years. Bryan is also the music and band teacher at Libby Center. Then, a hand was raised. "The color of your toothbrush?" I asked. After answering, he asked me what my favorite flavor of ice cream was. The introductions were quick and easy, considering that there was only seven people in the class.

We then were handed our Palms and began a musical note game called Bug Band. This included ten levels, for both treble and bass clef. The game involved a staff, where little bugs would crawl across in the place of the notes. Below was a series of piano keys, each of which you would tap for the note. This reporter didn't pass the first level, because of speeds, but two others in the class did. Bryan also incorporated some note playing on a synthesizer during the games.

All in all, it was an amazingly fun class and we can expect much more to come!