Kerry Renzoni
Program Director
Department of Music Education
Department of Music Education
Throughout this trip, I have been struck with how music has connected our students and professors with those we have met. The students have been singing since they arrived in Italy. They sang on the bus traveling to Torremaggiore, at dinner while watching a music television station, while walking through the streets of Torremaggiore, and almost every other place they went. The music majors sang songs they have learned at Buffalo State (including children’s songs I have written) and all of the students sang popular music, sporadically breaking out in harmony. Even the professors joined in singing occasionally! I have noticed how people in Torremaggiore and beyond have responded quickly and kindly to such events. The music seems to bring everyone together immediately. At lunch during our day trip to Lessina Marina, our tour guide Mario remarked that he loved hearing the students sing and asked for individual students to share a song. Rebeca sang “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera and “Batti Batti” from Don Giovanni. Brianna sang “Sandcastles”, a song that Beyonce made famous. Those small moments seemed to forge a lasting bond between our group and the tour guides we traveled with that day. It was a very special experience. At a medieval dinner that members of the Borgo Antico Torremaggiore Society hosted, our group sang “Amazing Grace,” followed by the residents of Torremaggiore in attendance singing a song. We then sang “You are my Sunshine” and “When the Saints Go Marching In”. and then the residents sang another song. Again, that exchange of music seemed to bring both groups of people together. Though we could not all communicate through language, we were able to communicate immediately through music. On the last day of teaching at San Giovanni Bosco, the fifth grade students broke out into singing the song “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”, a song we had taught them during our castle lesson the week before. As I joined in singing with me, it once again occurred to me the power of music - they were able to communicate their happiness, joy, and learning through singing. I was able to communicate my happiness and joy through singing with them. Music is so very powerful.
1 Comment
Angela Patti
1/30/2018 05:02:34 am
Thank you for sharing about your experiences! Some of the students I work with who traveled to Italy have already been talking about how wonderful it was to work with you and the music education majors. I know music was such a special part of the program! This was such a great way for our majors to work with one another. :) :)
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Dr. Kerry RenzoniI am Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Education and Associate Professor of Music at Buffalo State. I have been to Italy several times and this is my second time visiting Torremaggiore! Archives
January 2023
Categories |