Monty Harper
Contact Information:
Monty or Lisa Harper
2419 N. Monroe
Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone:
(405) 624-3805
Email:
Website:
Discipline:
Creative Writing, Music & Songwriting
Participants:
Early Childhood, Childhood, Adolescents
Settings:
Schools: pre-k, elementary, middle
Community Sites: art centers, libraries, parks and recreation centers
Availability:
Year round, Statewide
Bio:
Monty Harper is an award-winning, children's songwriter and recording artist. His work is characterized by a love for books, language and literacy; creating music that is designed to entertain inspire as educate young minds. Harper never "writes down" to kids. His songs are imaginative, humorous, upbeat and intelligent. They inspire kids (and adults!) to move, clap, laugh and sing along.
Harper's songwriting residencies involve students in the artistry of songwriting while supporting learning in language arts through creative writing. Students explore metaphor, prosody, lyrical structure and a number of other principles in group and individual writing projects.
Harper's "Say it in a Song" program for the Oklahoma Arts Council's Performing Arts Corps includes an assembly performance and two workshops that focus on teaching students the basics of songwriting. The program is available to Oklahoma elementary schools.
Harper presents library programs based on the state-wide theme each summer, and is available throughout the year for library reading programs. In addition, he offers programming for elementary schools. Programs include:
- Say It in a Song (4th 5th grades):
- Songs from the Science Frontier (1st-5th grades)
- Music and Movement (Pre K-2nd grades)
- Oklahoma History (Pre K-5th grades)
In addition to leading kids in the creation of their own original songs through his workshops and residencies, Harper performs at family concerts and festivals year round throughout Oklahoma.
Learning Goals:
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Students will identify various elements and principles to creative songwriting
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Students will demonstrate the use of various elements and principles of songwriting to express complex ideas through songwriting.
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Students will expand their use of vocabulary as well as the expressive and creative use of vocabulary.
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Students will employ songwriting principles to the comprehension of language arts a variety of other subjects
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Students will exercise and develop critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, and collaborative skills though the art of songwriting.