Natalie Reylea, New Haven Elementary UPK student, practices drumming alongside classmates and members of DownBeat Percussion who recently attended the school for a performance to promote the arts.
NEW HAVEN – Exploration of the arts at New Haven Elementary has brought added joy to school for several students and staff members.
The entire building was treated to a recent performance by DownBeat Percussion, a drumline comprised of young adults from Central New York who share their love of music.
New Haven Principal Jenifer Granholm said the enrichment piece was offered simply to promote the arts through the Arts-In-Education program at the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation.
Students in grades pre-kindergarten through four clapped, sang and swayed along to DownBeat’s performances, including hits such as “Shut Up and Dance,” “Gangnam Style,” and “Uptown Funk.”
The high-energy presentation was slowed down for select groups of students to play a game called “Response” where they created the same sound DownBeat drummer Eric English did drumming skills with mallets and upside down five-gallon buckets.
Granholm said the performance brought positivity and joy to students, which is something all staff members strive for each day.
An immersion of the arts into daily plans, she said, can brighten a child’s day.
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