Guyute in the Classroom

Today, I taught one of my favorite lesson plans about the philosophy of aesthetics... using my beloved Phish to demonstrate. That's right. Phish found its way into academia and I could not be more proud of how well it works.

First, I discuss ekphrastic art and the triangular relationship between the artist's intention, the art itself and the audience's response. I explain how sometimes, there is a huge distance between what the artist intends and how the audience perceives the work itself. "For example, if we were all at the Cincinnati Art Museum, staring at a Van Gogh painting, why can't we ask Vincent what he intended?" Yes, because he's dead. Dead, I tell ya. We can't ask him. Well, even if the artist is alive, we might all perceive art very differently from each other because we all come with a different set of life experiences.

Then, I read the children's story, "Once Upon an Ordinary School Day" written by Colin McNaughton and illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura. It's a lovely chilren's book that demonstrates the lesson when an extraordinary teacher walks into an ordinary classroom and starts booming music, asking the students to draw what they "see" in the music. Then, after each child has several big pieces of white paper, pencils, crayons and markers, we begin.

I use the orchestral piece "Guyute" performed by the Vermont Youth Orchestra because the kids are always blown away that kids their age were the musicians. Although it's eleven minutes long, I've yet to have a class that hasn't written and drawn images. Mice, mountains, blue skies, thunder, kings, queens, dancers, volcanoes. Completely contained within their own response to the song. When it's over and I have asked the students to share what they "saw", I then pretend astonishment.

"None of you wrote about an ugly pig? Really? No one?"

I pass out the lyrics of the song and explain. Not only is this a song about an ugly pig named Guyute, it is also a rock and roll song originally performed by a band called Phish and then, composed to orchestral music by Trey Anastasio.

With the lyrics in hand, I launch on showing them the song again (this time, on the big screen).... Phish in its finest. Every single class always delights in singing along. They love the light show. They exclaim about the balloons and beach balls. Because today I taught it in a performing arts school, for the first time ever... kids got up and danced with me. Full-throttle, hands in the air, dancing with delight to Phish!

Finally, I explain. "Now sometimes, there is a much closer relationship between art and the audience response. For example, certain tones should create specific images in your mind. Get a clean piece of paper. This time, there is a 'right' answer. Listen to the music and draw what you see." I play "Andre the Giant" a calypso style song replete with steel drums. When the first student draws and island and a palm tree, I make a big fuss. "That's it! You've got it. That's the right answer". Of course, I let all of the kids lean over to "see" the "right" answer.

Then, I conclude by revealing, "And ladies and gentlemen, would you be suprised to learn that song was performed by the very same guy? That's right. Trey Anastasio. See why I love him so much? He's brilliant."

Because we had about fifteen minutes left in our "bell" today and because we have a keyboard in the classroom, the piano major students took turns playing for us. Mozart, Bach, ragtime.

I hope this happens once again....

 Thank you, Trey