Concerned Citizen



I really enjoyed making this project, mostly because of my discovery that one of my close friends is actually a “concerned citizen.” Finding someone to document was intimidating and proving difficult, until my friend, Kate, told me just got back from adjudicating a children’s string festival (unfortunately, she didn’t mention this before she went, otherwise we could’ve documented part of the actual process). Being an elementary education major, her cause in the community is children’s music education and giving every child the opportunity to experience creating music. She’s also volunteered in kindergarten class rooms and plans to incorporate music and rhythm into her future classroom. Although she is still busy with college, she finds little ways to contribute to children’s music education, like with the Suzuki competition.

Being naturally musical herself, our video focuses on Kate’s passion for music which has translated into her other passion—teaching children. To avoid a sit-down interview video, we included many cut-aways of her singing and playing (also, we missed the actual Suzuki competition, so decided to film her performing instead). In retrospect, we wish we had asked her what her opinion is of current public school music education and if she would like to change anything in the curriculum or program.

Our outside source of inspiration came from the experience of watching many interview-type videos through many different sources, but for me I particularly drew upon the “I am a Mormon” videos. These videos are able to both gather information about the subject’s opinion and capture their personality, allowing the viewer a glance into their life. By connecting with the subject on a personal level, you’re more likely to be sympathetic to whatever cause they are pushing for. For Alexis, she drew upon a film she saw at Sundance called Private Violence and the way it incorporated voice over elements.

I personally am very passionate about this subject, which is partially why we decided to interview Kate. Every child should be exposed to music, both in study and creation, just as much as drawing and other forms of art. As Arlene Goldbard’s article states, “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” Not only is it beneficial for children to learn musically, but it is our responsibility as the older generation to bring opportunities to participate in culture to the younger generation. The arts, including music, teach sympathy for others and tighten the bonds of communal identification as they express the human condition. “Artists expand social imagination, helping us envision the transformations we hope to bring about, stimulating our thoughts and feelings toward the new attitudes and ideas that will drive recovery” (Goldbard 22).