MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS

FALL IS UPON US, AND WITH THE AUTUMNAL SEASON COMES THE RETURN OF OUR EVERPOPULAR SCHOOL RESIDENCIES!

These residencies have an enormous impact, stirring children’s artistic imagination as world-class artists from all over the globe and musical spectrum provide hands-on experiential musical education for students throughout the North Shore. First up was Sowah Mensah, master Ghanaian drummer, who returned to Rockport schools in mid-September to work with students from the middle and high school. It was clear from the moment he entered the room why the music teachers wanted to start the year off with Sowah—his reminders about working as a team, understanding cueing, and good posture are a great way to get back into the swing of things! A wonderful storyteller, he shared reflections of his worldly travels and how music is intertwined into everyday life in Ghana.

Students had the opportunity to participate in a drumming class and even learned Mensah’s own pieces on their instruments. They were encouraged to “be comfortable with the uncomfortable” since the time signatures they are used to feeling in western music is much different than the “timeline” (sense of pulse) in the Ghanaian tradition. In the truest form of community, the week ended with a concert in the school’s auditorium featuring collaborations between the band, chorus and orchestra with three of his original compositions, including “Sii Sii Sii.”

In addition to familiar faces like Sowah’s, we’re welcoming new artists this fall through the start of our inaugural Global Journeys Series. Mike Block (cello) and Sandeep Das (tabla) visited elementary through high school aged students in Rockport in late September following their performance at the Shalin Liu Performance Center. The day was filled with curious questions, participating in clapping the tal (meter, or time, in music) and singing the raag (melodic framework). It was truly a unique

NOVEMBER

Jussi Reijonen, guitar & oud

Aeolus Quartet

NEC Touring Children’s Opera

Palaver Strings

JANUARY–FEBRUARY

Bruce Molsky, fiddle & Tony Trischka, banjo

BT/ALC Big Band

Wu Man, pipa & Mike Block, cello

Jazz Workshop Returns

AFTER A TWO YEAR HIATUS, this summer saw the much anticipated return of the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop. Alexa and all the workshop faculty were extremely happy to be back on Cape Ann to work with a talented group of students. The week was filled with music making, learning about the history of jazz, and of course, the annual Capture the Flag game. This year the workshop location changed to Gloucester High School to allow for a larger auditorium for the student’s final performance on Friday afternoon, which featured special guest Walter Blanding (pictured below). Walter met with the students prior to the concert to perform and answer many insightful questions. He then joined each of the four groups on stage to play in one of their pieces. It was an inspiring end to the week for sure!