KEVIN MAcCARTNEY | MUSIC & SOUND ARTIST
REGIONAL RHYTHMS, NATURE-BASED SOUNDSCAPES & COLLABORATIVE PERCUSSION
Kevin MacCartney blends the pulse of percussion with the voice of the natural world, inviting students to listen, play, and create together. With over 36 years in the National Park Service—including 30 at Olympic National Park—he has developed interactive programs that connect rhythm traditions from around the globe with local environmental soundscapes. His work includes leading the “Beat Soup” Percussion Ensemble at Five Acre School, designing interpretive programs that pair live music with environmental education, and inspiring young musicians to explore how sound, movement, and place intertwine.
GRADE LEVELS
Elementary (K–5)
ART FORMS
Music • Percussion • Soundscapes • Rhythm Traditions
ARTS INTEGRATION & CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Kevin’s programs support Washington State Learning Standards by integrating music with cultural studies, science, and collaborative skills:
- Music Standards (MU): Students perform, improvise, and respond to music from diverse traditions, developing rhythm, listening, and ensemble skills (MU:Pr4–Pr6, MU:Re7–Re9).
- Social Studies: Exploration of percussion traditions from the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa, and New Orleans with attention to cultural history, respect, and relevance (SS: C2, H3).
- Science (NGSS): Use of nature-based soundscapes to explore sound waves, animal communication, and environmental awareness (NGSS: PS4, LS2).
- English Language Arts (ELA): Opportunities for descriptive writing and oral presentation about musical experiences (ELA:SL, W).
Pairs well with:
- Environmental science and ecology units
- Cultural studies and geography lessons
- Team-building and social-emotional learning activities
- School-wide arts or multicultural celebrations
WHY TEACHERS CHOOSE KEVIN
- Connects music-making to cultural context and environmental awareness
- Encourages teamwork, creativity, and improvisation through group percussion
- Introduces students to unique instruments and sound tools from around the world
- Flexible formats for single sessions, multi-day residencies, or thematic units
KEVIN MAcCARTNEY'S PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Wild Sounds & Songs
Students blend live percussion with recorded wild sounds—wind, water, thunder, crickets, bird calls, elk bugles, and more. They experiment with layering rhythms, matching tempos to animal calls, and creating “musical weather” through sound effects. Demonstrations may feature unusual instruments like the didgeridoo, shell horn, or theremin. Emphasis is on deep listening, creative response, and the idea that nature is a composer. Minimum: 1 class period; Grades K–5.
Regional Rhythms & Collaborative Percussion
Students explore percussion traditions from the Caribbean (Cuba and Puerto Rico), Brazil, Africa, and New Orleans, learning about each rhythm’s cultural context and history. Hands-on playing with tambourines, shakers, and other percussion instruments builds into a group “symphony” that incorporates movement and layered rhythms, fostering cultural appreciation and collaboration. Minimum: 1 class period; Grades K–5.
