Change Sings – Music Composition

April 25, 2022 | Clara Buckley

During Black History Month, fourth and fifth grade students studied Amanda Gorman in music class and read one of her poems, Change Sings.

In small groups students composed background music to go with the poem, using their choice of instruments (both acoustic and digital).

They presented their piece of music sharing which part of the poems inspired them, what emotions they wanted to express, as well as why they chose the instruments to compose with.

Some went above and beyond and recorded a multi-layered video for their presentation. The sound in this video is either pre-recorded, or recorded live during their presentation.

Hope you enjoy it!

Clara Buckley

Preschool Art Specialist; Middle School Art

Clara Buckley’s teaching spans the ages of Mustard Seed School, from the youngest students in the preschool to students in the graduating class. She’s found many similarities between teaching three-year-olds and thirteen-year-olds!

As an art teacher who never enjoyed drawing, Ms Buckley’s hope is that each child she teaches discovers a way to create art that they enjoy, whether it be sculpture, printing, textiles, architectural drawing, or collage.

Ms. Buckley loves living in Jersey City, a place whose diversity and welcome for immigrants reflects her own family experience. When planning future travel destinations, art, food, and time with family are featured items on her list.

Change Sings – Music Composition

Clara Buckley

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