Upcoming fundraiser will help Parker program
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Aides help students play a variety of musical instruments during a session of adaptive music at Parker High School. An upcoming benefit will raise money to purchase equipment for the program.
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Aide Candy Delany helps Carin Cavey play rhythm sticks during an adaptive music class at Parker High School. A Friday performance at Parker by the Wisconsin Singers is intended to help the program raise funds for new equipment.
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Brianna Anderson delights to the sound as she shakes a maraca in the Parker High School adaptive music class.
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Zach Schoonover hits a pair of Boom Whackers together during an adaptive music class at Parker High on School. The instruments are similar to PVC pipe of various sizes.
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John Biester
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Dana Schoemer
JANESVILLE — Band teacher John Biester sat at a computer monitor last week, searching YouTube for pop songs.
"Zach, what song do you want to hear?" Biester said.
"Well, I like country," Zach Schoonover responded.
"I know, but what song?"
"Well, I like Brooks & Dunn," the smiling Parker High School student replied.
"OK, Brooks & Dunn."
"My Maria" was soon pumping from the speakers as the video lighted up a SmartBoard in front of a group of seven students gathered around a table.
They pounded percussion instruments, shook a tambourine and rang bells. Sometimes, they even danced.
Zach did a mean air guitar.
This is the "adaptive music" course at Parker High School for kids with a wide range of disabilities.
A concert at Parker on Friday, Feb. 18, will provide money to give the kids more ways to express their musical selves.
A few of the students are so profoundly handicapped that they can participate only from their beds. One activated a string of lights encased in plastic.
He does it by pressing his chin to a pad. Some are in wheelchairs.
Their disabilities come with labels, including cerebral palsy, cognitive disabilities and autism, but those are not words used in music class.
Several students don't talk, or use only a few words. Others are chatty. Most seemed to love their music class. One said he'd rather be in tech ed, building things.
This is Zach's favorite class "because I like the music, and I get to hop around."
The fun is good for the students, said first-year special-ed teacher Dana Schoemer, who co-teaches the class with Biester. It's kind of a group musical-therapy session.
"Sensory input is huge. Music allows them to think in a different way," Schoemer said.
Some of the kids have no other way to express their emotions, she added.
For a few, Schoemer said, indicating a boy on a bed, this "sensory input" is all they have.
Several students grinned from ear to ear. They joked and laughed.
"You're a jolly group today, holy moly," Biester says.
An aide held a boy's hand around the handle of a maraca, shaking it for him.
He smiled.
Biester said some of the kids can't use the mostly percussive instruments, but computer technology might get them more involved.
Schoemer said concert proceeds could buy interactive software for the SmartBoard. She also is looking at an expensive set of tone chimes and maybe a couple of iPods with speakers and special software.
Music has enriched Schoemer's life. She joined a women's a cappella group called greenTONE while at UW-Madison. GreenTONE will perform Friday as one of the opening acts before the Wisconsin Singers take the stage.
Zach and couple of his classmates will perform, as well, together with the Parker band's drum line.
IF YOU GO
What: A performance by the Wisconsin Singers, who advertise their "Broadway caliber entertainment" and are known as UW-Madison's goodwill ambassadors. Also, two opening acts: The Parker Band drum line and the greenTONE a cappella group from Madison.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18.
Where: Parker High School auditorium, 3125 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville.
Tickets: Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors or $17/$12 the day of the show. Available by calling (608) 886-6801 or by visiting wisconsinsingers.com/janesville.
Feb 16, 2011 at 9:55 a.m.
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Hats off to Mr. Biester and to Ms. Schoemer !
Feb 15, 2011 at 7:47 p.m.
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No one asked to be born with a disability. Thank goodness for programs such as this. See, teachers really do make a difference!
Feb 15, 2011 at 1:50 p.m.
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You tell me what you are missing Okie. I don't see an issue. If you do, you have a disconnect with special needs people. These are not the kind of students you can plunk down in room with a head count of 15 or 20 to a teacher. As for the fund raising effort, please don't go to the program if you you are not interested. That is simple enough right?
Feb 15, 2011 at 12:44 p.m.
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Great story Frank! What a great staff at Parker working with these special needs kids!
Feb 15, 2011 at 11:06 a.m.
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It is a shame that the Music Therapy program which ran at Parker for over 15 years went under the budget axe without much notice 4 years ago. I wonder where all that equipment disappeared to? And why is a young lady in high school playing rhythm sticks? Certainly there is a more age appropriate activity they could do.
Feb 15, 2011 at 10:58 a.m.
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Yea thanks for the loose association Wave. This is the type of thing all of us need to contribute to, and allow for more than just a security net for. I liked this story and it is stories like this that deserve more attention than some of the mopes in our society are getting.
Feb 15, 2011 at 10:33 a.m.
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I sure hope this class doesn't fall in the "cut list". Keep up the good work, Mr. Biester & Ms. Schoemer!
Feb 15, 2011 at 9:55 a.m.
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I think I remember Zach from Madison school. If I do remember correctly he is one of the nicest most respectful kids I have ever met. Always put a smile on my face when we would say hi in the morning, while I was helping a kid get to class. Best wishes to you Zach, I'm sure you are a fine young man.
Feb 14, 2011 at 7:24 p.m.
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Great Pictures of Zach, Brezzie (Breanna) and my buddy Tristen!
Feb 14, 2011 at 7 p.m.
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these kids rock!! pun intended:)
another fund raiser, the madison polar plunge, benefiting the wisconsin special olympics is this weekend!! jump 3 for me and if you want to donate any money feel free to email me and i will get you the info!!
Feb 14, 2011 at 5:12 p.m.
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Wow! I had Zach, Brianna and Carin as elementary students many years ago. It is great to see their smiling happy faces. I can't believe they are high school students. How time flies!
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