Join The Dream

Designer: Xaiver Williams

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to tackle to issues that are near and dear to my heart. One
of the most pressing issues in today’s society is racial inequality, I felt led to tackle this
inequality by allowing participates the opportunity to create music with blank hands that all have
different notes. Also, the current focus on Learning disabilities within our school system is
minimum to none. Whether it is special needs, autism, ADD, Hearing or Visual loss, there is a
disadvantage to the musical experience these students can have because of this situation.
Combining both of the two, I decided to create something that would help promote the awareness
of inclusion, while also creating something that would help students feel involved in the music-
making process by being able to touch the hands that are on the board. The ambient noise will be
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I have a Dream Speech. Next to all of the hands excerpts of the
speech thus giving participants the ability to “Join the Dream” in music and the speech. Henry
Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together
is a success.” Despite the inequality for the disability, together we can create meaningful music
and join the dream! The call to action is on us as music educators to better the experience for
those around us that experience these inequalities and disadvantages.
Technologies Used:
- MakeyMakey (http://www.makeymakey.com/): This software will be used as a circuit
between the coding software and the project itself. The connection will be made by using
aluminum foil and five color coded wires that will connect to the MakeyMakey
- Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/): This program will contain the coding that allows the
hands, when connected to the aluminum foil by pressing, to different chords
- Laptop: The laptop will be used to display the coding made on Scratch and play the I
Have a Dream speech.
- iPad: This will be used for tacking the survey after the Participants have experienced
what the project can do.
Specific Learning Outcomes:

- MU:Cr1.1.T.Ia Generate melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic music for

compositions or improvisations using digital tools.
§ The participant will be able to make harmonic sounds by touching
different hands that will conduct a circuit through the Makey-Makey
software while the Martin Luther King Jr. Speech plays in the background.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/4cnuNU3jEsau4A6J8