On Wednesday the 28th, I truly came to understand the impact of the Merge approach while I was at the Chester County Art Association’s Pumpkin Carve. I have been learning about and working with Merge for a few months now, and I had built up a great deal of enthusiasm for the program. It is clear on paper that the strengths-based mentoring method is both effective and unique, but no amount of textual description can provide a sense of the program that I got by watching performances by students who have had access to this unique style of learning.
I was totally blown away by the skills of the jazz ensemble. Students who had been working with EMTAH, a program using the Merge approach, for a year or less were playing with a surprising level of expertise. Much more importantly, they were playing with confidence. It was clear that they were immersed in the musical process and willing to put all of their effort into the experience. I was particularly impressed by the interactions that were occurring before me. Watching the students look between their teachers, instruments, and each other was a truly moving experience. They haven’t just created an ensemble; they’ve created strongly bonded relationships that will benefit the students for years to come.
I took picture after picture trying to capture the essence of the event, but I found myself coming up short. From versions of Herbie Hancock songs to covers of the Flaming Lips, the music played was real entertainment by skilled artists that could be appreciated without any previous knowledge of the program. The only way to truly understand Merge is to see the method put to action. I cannot recommend enough the experience of attending a Merge or EMTAH event.
