Music

“The Music in Me & You”

Teacher: Caitlin Kraus

This year’s music class aimed to engage students in learning ways to use music to find and build meaning in relation to self and others via song sharing, songwriting and recording, music and movement, music with visual art, instrument improvisation and instruction, and sensory-based music relaxation.

This year’s music classes will focus on providing such opportunities for students—to not only identify music elements and learn how these impact our emotional and physical responses, but to receptively and expressively engage in music experiences that empower them to explore their own identities as well as those of others. While it is important to preserve the more mysterious and magical ways in which music impacts us, the aim of the lessons will be to also enhance the transparency of how musical processes and products can be used to express oneself while also connecting to others. Students will be introduced to a number of music experiences, including song sharing, music and movement, music with visual art, music relaxation, instrument improvisation and instruction, and songwriting and recording. Each of these experiences can promote developing deeper connection to self and others, building self-esteem and empowerment through creativity, learning grounding/self-soothing strategies, and improving communication of feelings and needs.

Student Work

Songs were written and recorded by students in the Circle Round the Square 2023 music class with teacher Caitlin Kraus and recorded at Hocking College audio production facilities with the expertise of Scott Winland!