Kindergarten Programs

Randy offers two basic formats for delivering musical services to kindergarten; custom designed topical concerts and custom designed residencies of varying length.

Advance planning and teacher collaboration is key in either type of program. A topical concert could deal with Earth Week, friendship, or a historical holiday. Some typical residency objectives would be choosing songs or custom written songs to teach the children that connect with their mandated monthly studies, upcoming special topical event, holiday, or assembly. Once specific goals are set and songs chosen for a residency Randy takes his guitar into the classroom and begins the process of teaching these songs to the class or classes. Other fun and generally uplifting songs that are not necessarily in sync with the curriculum at hand are included as well. Class sessions run between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on class schedule and needs.

Perhaps one of the most important elements of Randy's residencies has been the use of custom made cassette tapes. After Randy meets and rehearses with the class for the first time, he returns home to record the songs, using the same arrangements that were used in class. Each of the teachers receives their own copy of the recordings to use in class. Lyric sheets with guitar chords are also provided if desired. As of Spring 2001 Randy will offer the use of custom burned CDs in lieu of cassettes if preferred.

Since the arrangements on the CDs or tapes are the same as those used in the classroom, the children are already familiar with them. When Randy returns to the classroom the children are usually quick to point out that they have been listening to him! They're not at all bashful about pointing out his mistakes, either: "Hey, Randy, that didn't sound like the tape!" (Bless their observant little hearts.) The bottom line is to educate and reinforce educational goals through music by exposing the children to a live professional musician and entertainer.