Dear Mr. Coffin,
Wow! You were fantastic up on stage. You must be a pro at it.
Thanks for coming. You rock at the recorder.
Your Pal, (3rd grader)
Dear Mr. Coffin,
I was so enthralled by your presentation in Hingham this
morning that I went tearing back to my kids' music teacher in
Wellesley and raved to him about what you'd done. Together,
we worked ourselves into a frenzy. The outcome is this: I've
gone to the President of our PTO to ask for a budget override
that would allow you to come to our school BEFORE the end of
THIS year IF you were willing to do so. -- Wellesley
PTO Member
Dear Mr. Coffin,
You were so cool with all those recorders and musical
instruments. Your songs were great. I hope you come
again.
Sincerely, (3rd grader)
Your glorious voice and beautiful instruments created an evening of musical magic that was special for everyone. I hope there will be many return visits to Mystic Seaport to grace us with your music, extraordinary instruments, calm vision, easy-going manner, delightful humor, and gentle spirit. -- Program Manager, Mystic Seaport
Dear Mr. Coffin,
I have gotten really good at the recorder. My favorite part
was when kids went up. I really appreciated it a lot. Thank
you.
Sincerely, (4th grader)
Thank YOU for your inspiration, energy and role modeling that made the Wednesday performance so excellent. Your school presentations inspired us and you brought a vital part of NH history alive for our kids! Thank you. I found out Wednesday night when I got home that you had performed at the Bhodi Tree Montessori School Wednesday afternoon, where my wife is the 1-3 teacher. She raved about your work with the kids and voiced as her only disappointment that she didn't get to hear your other presentation. -- John Hanson, Principle, Central Sandwich Elementary School, N.H.
David-
Thank you so much for your wonderful presentations at Marblehead High
School this past week. The students and faculty are STILL talking about
how fantastic your programs were! Not only are you a knowledgeable
history educator, you bring to your audience a rich understanding of
musical history as well. And you have a fabulous voice, are a talented
musician, and an entertaining performer. Not to mention that your skills
in working with the members of the audience at each individual peformance
lead to a much more engaging program for everyone present.
Thank you again so much.---Gini Bowen
Marblehead High School Library Teacher
Marblehead Reads Committee
Dear David,
Thank you so much for your wonderful performance with the Hale kids
and our mentees. It was so enjoyable and what a great way for these kids (and we adults)to learn our New England history and geography.
I wish you could be planted in the city schools and multiply.---Presenter
I got my first evaluation back from a teacher already and she raved about your program. The music teacher thought it was great, and that it complemented the music program she teaches in her class.
In looking at the way these kids responded to your show, it just serves to reinforce how important and valuable instrumental music is in our schools. These kids love music, and it's one more wonderful way for them to express themselves. When I was a kid, I never had the chance to study instrumental music because my school never offered it. But I do regret that in some ways; and I just want the school system to realize the importance of ensuring that every kid has the opportunity to study an instrument, if they so desire.
Enrichment Coordinator, Concord MA.
The show was great on Thursday. My kids liked it. And thanks
for doing a little extra showy telly afterwards. One of my
new kids - a third grader was wide eyed during it. I could
see him during the show. The teachers loved it too. One said
she could've happily just sat there and listened to you play
- that it was so beautiful. Thank you for your reverence for
the recorder and for spreading the word in our century that
it is a true instrument, and of great beauty. Your
enthusiasm, I think, helps the instrument's continued sur,
and re, vival.
Music Teacher, Dover, MA.
David Coffin captured every one of my 130 3rd graders'
complete attention and held it for an hour (!) with a witty,
informative, fun, and interactive program. They were eager to
get started with Recorders before they met David, but they
were three times as eager afterwards! They have retained the
knowledge he provided them months later and remember him most
enthusiastically. "When's he coming back?!" they want to
know! I'm looking forward to all the future visits we have
with David - I have a feeling I could see his show many, many
times and enjoy it every time as much as the children!
Music Teacher, Marlboro, MA.
As for you, I can't say enough for your gifts - how well you play so many instruments, how much energy, talent and love you bring to all that you do. The performance was stunning and well-crafted; your interactions with the audience, personal and warm-hearted. Revels Audience
Dear David,
My college-age children and I attended Revels last weekend in
Cambridge and were delighted once again (it was our 14th
year) to see and hear you performing. Thank you for sharing
your talents with us - we love to hear your voice, and so
enjoy the sounds you create through the many instruments you
play.
Revels Audience
David Coffin kept a group of more than 200 students
mesmerized with his entertaining and educational program. He
introduced our students to wind instruments they had never
seen before by starting with sounds and instruments they were
familiar with. Each student left his program with a little
more knowledge and a little more excitement about the wide
world of music.
Bruce Pasha; Assemblies Committee, The Carroll
School
"David is a delight to work with - fun, funny, good musical ideas - and has great charisma with an audience. He is both engaging and entertaining as he shares his musical passion with a group." Music Director, Portsmouth N.H.
April 20, 2006
To whom it may concern:
We were delighted to have David Coffin as our 2006 Symonds School Artist in Residence. For seven full school days in March and April, David shared his talent, enthusiasm and passion for traditional music of the sea with our students and staff. David’s work with us culminated in an excitingly rich student performance entitled “A Voyage of a Lifetime.” The show, an imaginary trip around the world, featured what students had learned during the residency and the many clear connections made to their curricular studies in core academic areas. Debriefing at the staff level revealed teacher excitement about having such rich extensions and enhancement of authentic and meaningful student learning in writing, social studies, science, music, movement, art and social skill building. Students voiced pride and enthusiasm for the fun of being in a show and learning to perform. Our fifth graders, who served as the “sailors” on our ship, also acted as the narrators (writing and reading their own sailor’s journal and ship log entries.) There were many parents who commented on the incredible quality of the show.
As the enrichment coordinator, I am but one member of a team of teaching specialists who collaborated with David on the design and implementation of this educational residency. As a group, we found David to possess tremendous positive energy, and to be professional, dedicated, creative, and understanding of the developmental readiness of our kindergarten through grade 5 students. Lastly, we really had fun working with David!
Our 2006 art residency would not have been possible this year if not for the generous financial support of our Parent Teacher Organization and The David Coffin Enrichment Fund. Our enrichment budget is so limited, that we needed additional monies from both of these sources to actually weigh anchor and get under way to provide a valuable enrichment experience for our 350 students. I hope other schools may enjoy the privilege of working with David Coffin in the future. We can’t wait to have him back to Symonds someday!
Sincerely,
Beth Corwin Symonds School Quest Enrichment Coordinator
79 Park Avenue
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
Richard Cate, Principal