Album Notes

The songs in Character Collections I and II are songs that have been written in collaboration with educators and students. The songs specifically address the pillars of Character Education. They contain themes of Respect, Responsibility, Cooperation, Fairness, trustworthiness, patience, honesty, personal best, empathy, caring, sharing and citizenship. They contain messages that Educators wanted to see delivered to the students in their schools. Most of the songs were written in Artist in Residence programs in New York State. Songs for kids don’t have to be cheesy sounding! Kids react well to good, authentic, quality music. I had a teacher ask me if we could write songs for their monthly Character Ed assembly programs. That’s how it started. These songs were all written in the Capital Region of New York State. The schools involved with these particular songs were Blue Creek Elementary (North Colonie), Jackson Heights Elementary (Glens Falls), Charleton Heights Elementary (Ballston Lake), Kensington Road Elementary (Glens Falls), Forest Park Elementary (South Colonie), and Roessleville Elementary (South Colonie). A huge thank you goes out to these schools I have worked with to write these songs! I encourage you to use these songs in your classrooms and for assemblies at your school. There are many movements and sign language that has been developed to go with these songs. You can contact me through my website to get more info.
Thanks!
Brian Chevalier

Since studying Classical guitar at Keene State College in Keene, NH, Brian Chevalier has worked extensively as a performer in the northeastern United States and also in the Florida Keys, and has worked as a Teaching Artist throughout New York State and the northeast. He offers in-school performances, workshops, residencies and enrichment programs that address the New York State Learning Standards.
Brian has been working extensively throughout the Capitol Region as an independent Teaching Artist and has also been working for The Capitol Region Center for Arts in Education. Brian receives on-going professional development in workshops and seminars with notable educators from The Lincoln Center Institute. Brian also facilitates training workshops for teachers and Teaching Artists. He has been trained in the Lincoln Center approach to Aesthetic Education. Brian also completed 2 grants from the New York State Council on the Arts administered through LARAC for which he composed a collection of songs that address the history and folklore of the Adirondacks, and also co-wrote a 2 man musical called Adirondack Kids! Brian has also been funded through numerous grants for his work in schools throughout the region.