copyright Bettina Network, inc. for Jonathan Betts Fields 2012<\/p>\n
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Kid musicians battle the id<\/p>\n
further justice through thick and then<\/p>\n
permeate airwaves with soul and posture<\/p>\n
colorful words, diaphragm of opera<\/p>\n
from Shakespeare to Jay Z, defying nostalgia<\/p>\n
sleep new dreams and pray for contagion<\/p>\n
well blended harmony\u2019s the weapon we\u2019re waving.<\/p>\n
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Speaking voices are perfectly proper<\/p>\n
they laugh as would English speaking sea otters<\/p>\n
returning to homes that float or submerge<\/p>\n
to wash away souls, you\u2019ll need more than dirge<\/p>\n
we don\u2019t sink or swim, we\u2019re one with the water<\/p>\n
if we were to leave we\u2019d abandon our power<\/p>\n
we hold hands through inverted rain showers.<\/p>\n
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Zatarain\u2019s ain\u2019t got nothin\u2019 on me \u2013<\/p>\n
neck cocked back like an expected sneeze<\/p>\n
horns high in the sky, catchin\u2019 the breeze<\/p>\n
high hat attacks the air \u2013 killer bees<\/p>\n
strings intertwined \u2013 tangled webs they weave<\/p>\n
toe tappin\u2019s impossible without bendin\u2019 knees<\/p>\n
sea perseverance, revitalize New Orleans.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
I could hear applause in the distance. The woman from the registration table saw me wandering a bit and ushered me in the correct direction. I visited Shady Hill School to support the new friends I met over a three-course breakfast at a Bettina Network home. I could hardly wait to partake in the celebration straight from New Orleans.<\/p>\n
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I thought I missed them. Then, in walked a league of extraordinary men and women. A palpable increase in energy met the trumpet, trombone, tuba, two drums and the voice. The esteemed Executive Director and the mother of the younger drummer completed the entourage. The performers reemerged as teachers, and continued to represent the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and Musicians\u2019 Village professionally, passionately and extremely well.<\/p>\n
Their workshop, entitled \u201cVision, Perseverance and Revitalization\u201d was one of many during Shady Hill School\u2019s Diversity Conference. For middle school students to entertain large notions like \u201cSocial Justice\u201d and \u201cEquity Through the Arts\u201d could have been a daunting task; the school\u2019s staff made it age relevant and all wore smiles while they worked. The kids were comfortable and eager take their music lesson serious, possibly borrowing a page from the acutely gifted drummer boy.<\/p>\n
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Calvin, the band leader and head teacher instructed the students to listen to the global sound and to identify the role of each instrument in the piece they were to play. The band played Duke Ellington\u2019s \u201cC Jam Blues.\u201d The Shady Hill students listened. Then they were divided into sections, and the auditorium became a conglomeration of progress. For brief moments, some instruments synched: first were the strings & percussion sections. Then the brass and woodwinds danced. All the while, you could hear the Ellis Marsalis Center musicians chiseling away unnecessary sounds.<\/p>\n
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The Jazz Workshop Ensemble began playing with the speed of ducklings following their mother across a busy street. Once across, the piano and drums were occupied by a new set of feet and hands, and the trip began again. The trips back and forth steadied the ensemble\u2019s sway and allowed for inspired improvisation. Before the last group began their end-of-workshop recital, Calvin shared some knowledge that reached beyond playing in a jazz band: \u201cIf you can\u2019t hear the person next to you, you\u2019re playing too loud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much love,<\/p>\n
Jonathan Betts Fields<\/p>\n
www.GlobalJon.com<\/a><\/p>\n MeLlamoGlobalJon@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n facebook.com\/GlobalJon<\/a>\u00a0~\u00a0twitter.com\/GlobalJon<\/a><\/p>\n ________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n