Music For Youth - Natalie's Gold Award Project
As someone passionate about music, Natalie aimed to increase music appreciation and accessibility among elementary-age students and teach them how to play instruments. Natalie collected donations of instruments and materials from her surrounding community. She researched what musical instruments would be the best to start children on and familiarized herself with the ins-and-outs of them before creating a music curriculum off of her chosen instruments: the xylophone and drums. She also met with retired music teachers to talk about her project and adjusted her plans based on their opinions.
Natalie then used these instruments, materials, and lesson-plans to teach music classes to students at a local Boys & Girls Club. Through her music classes, she was able to help start off many childrens' journeys into the world of music, increasing their musical appreciation, knowledge, and skill. From the beginning to the end of the classes, Natalie observed the students were able to progress to more difficult songs and retain more rhythms. Natalie afterwards donated the music materials and lesson-plans to the Boys & Girls Club so future students could use them.
Natalie understood that while her music lessons helped more children appreciate music, there was still the issue of access. She decided to next address the bigger issue: lack of access to music and instruments for young students. She set out to build a music garden at a local park to increase music accessibility in her community. She secured approval from the city, created her plans, gathered donations of supplies and materials, and did money earning activities for the additional materials needed, and worked with a group to install her music garden.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held and led by Natalie, City Manager Joe Moore, and City Council President Keith Heisler. At the ceremony, Pam Sippel, Director of Operations at Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac, also was in attendance and spoke on Natalie's project.
Natalie and her ribbon-cutting ceremony was featured in the local news. Check it out HERE and HERE.
The garden features multiple instruments and interactive areas for visitors to explore the world of music in a beautiful outdoor space. Natalie explained, "There's a xyolophone with a music book. The xyolophone has different colors. You can play different songs, well-known nursery rhymes. And then there are some drums and some chimes." There are a total of 7 different outdoor instruments.
Her previous students at the Boys and Girls Club and other surrounding children who want to practice music now have an accessible place to continue their studies. With the music garden, Natalie's project will be able to continue long after it's creation. Both kids and adults have enjoyed this new addition to their community. Fond du Lac City Manager Joe Moore said, "It looks great. It's one thing to see these things on paper, and really believe that it's going to be a nice addition to the park. But then, when it all comes together, it's just really great."
When asked about the challenges she faced during this project, Natalie stated, "I learned how I am able to overcome challenges and create solutions in order to continue with my project. I also learned how I can communicate with others in order to create new ways to continue my program even if it is different from my original plan."
Natalie was recently awarded a $5,000 national scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA for her Gold Award. “Natalie and her project are the perfect embodiment of Girl Scout values. We at Manitou Council were delighted to nominate her for the $5,000 scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA,” said Denise Schemenauer, CEO of Girl Scouts of Manitou Council.
Natalie explained, "I was very excited when I found out I received the Gold Award Scholarship from Girl Scouts. I have been able to see the impact of my project on my community, watching kids have fun making music. The scholarship will help me with college as I am studying to become an elementary teacher."
With Natalie's project, more youth will be able to learn and love music in her community. Girl Scouts like Natalie demonstrate hard work, creativity, and passion, and change their communities with projects like these.
