SCHOOL PROGRAMS
This page is divided into three sections
1 Performances, small and large
2 Curriculum-based Songwriting Workshops
3 Residencies

The research is now clear and irrefutable - - the arts are critical to a child’s well being, and help children succeed in all academic areas.

Dave Ruch is extensively involved in the arts-in-education field, using music to teach core curriculum and inspire young learners. Through concerts, workshops and residencies, he works with tens of thousands of students each year in preschool, primary, elementary, intermediate and middle school settings.

Special Note: Dave Ruch is a roster artist and/or an "approved artist" for financial reimbursement with each of the following organizations: Young Audiences of Western New York, Erie 1 & 2 BOCES, Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, Orleans-Niagara BOCES, The Arts Council for Chautauqua County, Genesee Valley BOCES, Monroe 1 & 2 BOCES, Steuben-Allegany BOCES, Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES, Oswego County BOCES Regional Arts-in-Ed Service, Broome-Tioga BOCES, Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES and more...if you don’t see yours, please inquire!

PERFORMANCES
Specially designed concert/assembly programs for audiences large and small.

Individual grades: each program listed below ties in directly with the social studies curriculum at a given grade level from preK - 5th grade*. Bring just your grade level for a "private concert" designed to enrich your curriculum and satisfy state mandated Learning Standards across several disciplines.

When facilities permit, an ideal set-up is for students to gather on the floor right up close to the performer (in the gym, multi-purpose room, library, auditorium stage or any other available room) for an intimate, informal session packed with "teachable moments". With groups of 100 or less students, special opportunities are included for hands-on participation for ALL children.

Larger groups/many grades: programs listed below can also be adapted to accomodate several grade levels at a time. See suggested grades on each program listing, and plan a full-blown, fun-filled assembly program for the whole school in your gym, cafeteria, auditorium or multi-purpose room. Maximum of 400 students recommended.

*Grades indicated below are based on NY State curriculum, may vary for PA and OH schools.

Optional songwriting sessions for up to two classes at a time are available following many of the concerts (see Songwriting Workshops section below).

Traditional Children’s Game Songs,
Stories and Singalongs
Preschools & Ages 3-7 , 30 minute
Authentic children’s songs, singing games and stories from American, European and African traditions offer young wigglers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with their own heritage, and that of other cultures. This is time-tested fun for the youngest audiences, from the days when children were responsible for entertaining themselves!

"Wonderful sing along!!  The children enjoyed it so much and the staff have just raved about it!"  Priscilla Maddock, Co-Director, Westminster Early Childhood Program, Buffalo NY

Songs from our Communities....
for singing and moving to!
Ties into K-2 curriculum, 30-40 minutes
As we know, children learn best when they are doing, and when they are having fun! Your students will be moving, laughing, clapping and singing as they enjoy songs and stories from communities near and far. We’ll be reinforcing an important social studies unit on communities and neighborhoods too! Optional songwriting session available after the concert.

"An interesting thing happened when Dave came to our school, not only were the children all enthralled, but the teachers have requested that he return.  Heart-warming, truly educational, and most importantly FUN"  Kristin Whitlock, Director, Nardin Montessori School, Buffalo NY

World Communities Concert
Ties into 3rd grade curriculum, adaptable for K-6, 40 minutes
Add a new dimension to your studies of various world cultures and communities with joyous song! Your students will experience an Indian tabla drum, an exotic stringed instrument from Europe, a Native American traditional instrument and more as they sing in various languages, answer questions, laugh, and perhaps most importantly, think about and discuss ways in which we are all similar. Dave also talksabout his own eye-opening trip to Asia in 1992.Optional songwriting session available after the concert.

"Student Response - EXCELLENT, Artistic Quality - EXCELLENT, Educational Quality - EXCELLENT, Presenter Interaction with Students - EXCELLENT, Technical Quality of Program - EXCELLENT"  Cheryl Bertholf, Teacher, Tri-Valley Elementary School, Grahamsville NY    

The Erie Canal Concert
Ties into 4th grade curriculum, adaptable for K-8, 40 minutes
With his guitar, banjo and jaw harp, Dave leads students on a fun-filled musical journey into our history. Students become active participants in their own learning as they sing along, respond to questions and act out songs. Topics covered include important dates and facts about the building of the canal, how it was used, it's connection to the growth of New York City, music and life on a canal boat, shipping on the Great Lakes and more.

Optional songwriting session available after the concert.
to see some samples

"He is fun and has the kids eating out of his hands.  With all we have to accomplish in 4th grade, we appreciate the opportunity to enrich with music" Sharon McMahon, 4th Grade Teacher, Glen Park Elementary School, Brownville NY

The Native Americans of New York State
Ties into 4th grade curriculum, adaptable for K-8, 40 minutes
With his guitar and some traditional Iroquois gourd rattles, Dave leads students on a fun-filled musical journey into our history. Students become active participants in their own learning as they sing along (in English and Iroquois!), answer questions and act out songs. Some students will even be invited on stage with the performer to play the Iroquois rattles. Topics covered include the Iroquois' use of their surroundings to meet their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter, and the forced relocation of the Iroquois to the reservations. Optional songwriting session available after the con cert. Program guide here

"I would recommend this program to every classroom who studies the Iroquois"  Denise Jakubowski, 4th Grade Teacher, Unadilla Valley Central School, New Berlin NY 

Fourth Grade Social Studies Sampler
New York State schools only, 40 minutes, grade 4
Dave loves the grade 4 social studies curriculum in NY schools, so here’s a "grab bag" of songs and stories from the Native Americans of NY State (Iroquois Indians), the Revolutionary War in NY State, the Erie Canal and more. It’s a fun-filled review (or preview) of our state’s history with lots of laughs along the way! Perfect for preparing for the NYS Grade 5 fall Social Studies standardized test. Optional songwriting session available after the concert. 

"You are a dynamic presenter with great rapport.  Your ability to challenge and excite students while keeping them appropriately focused is impressive!  Your program is so appropriate to developmental level, skills, content, and you are so flexible with being able to modify to meet students' needs"  Sandra Austin, 4th Grade Teacher, Cooperstown Elementary School, Cooperstown NY

Immigration Songs and Stories
Ties into 5th grade curriculum, adaptable for grades 3-6, 40 minute
Songs and stories from and about the many immigrant groups that came to America in search of a better life, along with some musical instruments they brought with them. Themes touched upon include why people immigrated to America, what they expected to find, how they got here and where they are now.  Optional songwriting session available after the concert.

"Dave did a fantastic job integrating our curriculum with the music!  It was a great learning experience!"  Kelli Bogacz, 5th Grade Teacher, Willow Ridge Elementary School, Amherst NY

Regions of the U.S. in Song
Ties into 4th/5th grade curriculum, adaptable for K-8, 40 minutes
A musical trip across America! Interactive songs, stories & musical instruments from various regions of our country along with opportunities for students to show off what they know. Song material highlights one or more of the features or occupations of each region. Optional songwriting session available after the concert. program guide here

"We loved your program!  You involved the kids and managed their excitement & noise very well!"  Kathie Sanagurski, 5th Grade Teacher, Richard Mann School, Walworth NY

Just for Fun or The Evening Family Concert
preK-6 and families
Dave brings along his banjo, mandolin, guitar, jaw harp and washtub bass for a special program full of musical fun for all ages. Audience members will delight in seeing and learning a bit about these instruments up close while enjoying some great participatory songs performed on each. Expect singalongs, movement songs, laughter, guessing games, even a few cartoon themes.....some audience members may even be invited to come up on "stage" and play the washtub with Dave! Perfect for "Fun Day" or "Arts Day" at school, a reward for a job well done, PTA family nights, ice cream socials, etc.

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SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS (optional)

Capitalizing on the excitement generated during the concert, Dave can come right into your classroom with his guitar for a special 30-minute follow-up session. Students’ attention is focused on the central theme of the concert as they interact with the performer, brainstorm for and then create their own song - - with a little help - - and then sing it on the spot!

The end result is a curriculum-based piece of work, in the students’ own words, which they are generally very proud of. The fact that they explored many facts, ideas and themes in the creation of their masterpiece rarely occurs to them. Dynamic learning!

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RESIDENCIES

School visits varying in duration from one day to two weeks or more, linking social studies curriculum topics with interactive songs, research and songwriting projects. Plan and brainstorm directly with the artist by email or telephone to maximize impact and connections to your curriculum. Grant funding is available for these projects in every county in New York State.

Local/Regional History Comes Alive!
Residency
Design your own program with Dave to explore your area’s rich history through local stories and history, songs from your region, songwriting projects and more. Armed with a slew of intriguing musical instruments (guitar, jaw harp, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer &/or washtub bass), a carefully researched store of songs from your region, and a zest for exploring local history through music, there's no telling what your students will discover about their history....and themselves!

"Thank you so much for sharing with our students such a wonderful way of learning about our state's history"  The 4th Grade Team, South Seneca Elementary School, Interlaken NY

History Comes Alive!
Residency
Programs similar to the above Local/Regional History Comes Alive! Residency can be centered around any number of other historical topics including (but not limited to) New York State History & Stories, Native Americans, Regions of America, Colonial America, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Underground Railroad, Pioneers, Westward Expansion, Gold Rush, Occupations, Waterways, Immigration, World Communities, PA or OH State History, etc.

"I found him extremely easy to work with, and very helpful along every step of the way.  He is an extremely talented musician, and has a very personable way of interacting with both children and adults.  The experience was well beyond the ordinary learning experience"  Mary Lou Papadopoulos, Music Teacher, Allen Creek Elementary School, Pittsford NY 

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