How often do guest artists visit schools in your city?

For the past week, I’ve been reading The Music Teaching Artist’s Bible by Eric Booth. It`s a great book, although somewhat dense at the beginning, and I recommend every musician to take a look at it. I had to order it through Carleton`s interlibrary loan system (known as Racer) which, I might add, is a real tool.
While reading Mr. Booth’s book, I’ve been reflecting on the amount of arts learning in my elementary school curriculum. At my elementary school (Manor Park Public School, Ottawa), in the ‘90s, we would have a touring troupe or musical group perform about once a year and there was never any lead-up to the performance. What I mean to say is that before the assembly, the teachers wouldn’t tell us what we were about to see, as if it were as surprise to everyone. These performances seemed to be treated as if they were entertainment, not an opportunity for learning.

We only began to incorporate music into our classroom when I was in 5th grade, and my teacher made it clear to us that this was his own initiative, not one by the province or district. In the first half of 6th grade we did have 45 minutes a week with a singing instructor, but by January the program was scrapped.
It upsets me that music wasn’t at all part of my elementary school education. I was introduced to musical performance when I moved to junior high school and since then have gone on to train as a professional musician. I’m not saying that elementary schools need to be equipped with musical instruments and dedicated music teachers, but rather children from an early age should be using music to make connections with the curriculum. I feel that I learn something much better by being engaged with the subject matter, don’t you?
A great example of incorporation of curricular materials in Mr. Booth’s book was one of a Teaching Artist who had all of the kids play various rhythms that are often found in African music. The students tried to combine various rhythms and make a small polyrhythmic piece. They then listened to popular songs in the 1830s and ‘40s and then discussed how African slaves brought their musical style with them to America, and how they would incorporate their musical background using ‘American’ instruments (Violins, piano, etc.).
After reading this example I thought it was a great way to get kids engaged in a subject which often isn’t viewed as extremely exciting to an eight year old.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with the Arts when you were in your elementary school days, so please feel free to put them in the ‘comments’ section.
Until next time!