Winter/Spring 2005
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Elizabeth Falconer began her residencies at John Stanford International School with an assembly featuring Japanese folktales, puppetry, and accompaniment on the koto. Ms. Falconer then came into Miz Betty's music classroom for two full days to allow for more storytelling and singing with the koto. All of the students had a chance to have a hands-on experience with the koto.
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Ms. Falconer then visited Hamilton International Middle School, first with demonstrations in music classes and Japanese classes. Then several Japanese classes experienced a more extended residency, learning to play Sakura or Cherry Blossoms on the koto. A group of students had the opportunity to show what they had learned at the International Arts Celebration in May.
The koto is a long, hollow stringed instrument, about six feet long and 14 inches wide. Its tradition in Japan goes back about 1000 years, when it was a special instrument heard only by the emperor and his royal court. Now it is the national instrument of Japan, and is used by many people in different ways.
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These koto residencies are among projects sponsored by the International Arts Consortium, which serves John Stanford International School and Hamilton International Middle School, with major funding from Washington State Arts Commission, the International Business Breakfast, and PTSAs at each school. Thanks to artist Elizabeth Falconer and teachers Betty Levy and Kayomi McDonald for their enthusiastic participation in these residencies.
Return to International Arts Consortium homepage.