NASELLE – Among the many aspects in providing a well-rounded education, the local school district is providing their students with drama and music experiences. Among these experiences are the well-known marimba band program and a relatively new program including the integration of music and art in the academic areas.

Principal Karen Wirkkala of Naselle-Grays River Valley School District stated, “The school district is committed to providing their students with drama and music programs. The ‘No Child Left Behind’ legislation and the importance of helping students to achieve success in the core areas of reading, writing, math and science has resulted in a reduction of these programs in many schools across the country.”

Through the instruction of teacher Barbara Swanson, students in the Naselle School District are still able to participate in the fine arts while receiving support through integration of music and art in the required academic areas. Mrs. Swanson, who has a master’s degree in music and education with a creative arts emphasis is currently teaching a high school drama class, elementary enrichment class for first through fifth grade, elementary music, and also providing drama classes for two periods at the Naselle Youth Camp School.

The art-enrichment students in grades one through five have been learning a song about themselves, “It’s me, nobody else but me, it’s me, there’s no one I’d rather be.” Students assembled magazine picture collages and drew self-portraits to match photographic head-shots, incorporating self-image into art and music. Reading, writing and health are subjects incorporated into the project.

The music students in grades one through four have been learning a choreographed dance and song performance entitled, “When we work together,” and will be performing this number at a character trait assembly and in a concert later in the spring. They are integrating positive character traits into dance and music.

The Naselle High School drama students have been learning about creative performances, mime and pantomime. As a special bonus, the Missoula Children’s Theatre directors (Jon and Katie Brantley) presented a mime workshop to the students on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Jon Brantley showed his professional mime skills and then both directors worked with students to create a sense of reality through illusion, stressing the importance of building a performance with a beginning, middle and an end and showing how to present the key gesture through mime and pantomime skills.

The Naselle Youth Camp School students are learning and performing pantomimes in front of the class. Last week two students performed a ‘typewriter’ routine for Principal Robin Andrea. Students have also chosen, memorized and performed monologs. They were either based on light-hearted comedy or chosen for their personal interests. Students have also been active in class improvisations, creatively thinking up lines to match certain character traits. On Friday, Sept. 29, students were treated to a special mime performance by Jon Brantley. Students were taught how to perform without props or lines to create a sense of reality.

“The opportunities Mrs. Swanson has provided to the students this year are well received by staff and students alike. This is the first year students at NYCS have been offered a class in the dramatic arts and the engagement of the students has been very positive,” Mrs. Wirkkala said.