Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Ki Adams

One of the goals of music education in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is to "provide meaningful and challenging music experiences in order to develop the musicality innate in all students" (Program of Studies, 1996, p. 13).A key ingredient of these experiences is use of Newfoundland folk songs at all levels and in all instructional settings, from classroom to rehearsal room. At the primary/ elementary level, folk songs are used as teaching songs for developing musical reading and writing skills, while at the secondary level, folk songs are an essential component of performance repertoire, both choral and instrumental. Atall levels, folk songs provide an exceptional opportunity for personal and cultural expression.