Kids for Coltrane

Archive for June 2009

Cool Characters Follow Their Bliss!

Posted by: on: June 11, 2009

 
Limited Engagement
 
The Production of They Kept on Smiling
at The Holliswood School
Original Play written by Christine Termini Passarella
 
Meet Nicky L. Sinclair, Appolonia Cardinale, and all their friends from 54th Street. The kids are sure to make you smile and just touch your heart as they learn what true friendship and teamwork are all about. Nicky L. just moved to 54th Street from a neighborhood he is glad to leave behind. He fits in really well with the kind 54th Street kids. He forms a band with his new friends Appolonia, Wendy Atlas, William T. Cardinale, and Janasia Fitzgerald. They all learn the importance of practice, practice, practice. As they prepare for the talent show, the Improvisers another impressive school band share the importance of all the virtues. My Kids for Coltrane class and my Kids for Coltrane Club will make these fictional characters come alive on June 19th with an original charming script. These precious second and third graders are sure to bring  smiles to the audience as they act, sing and dance….More to come…We are busy rehearsing!! 
 
from nikon 504

The Kids for Coltrane class learning about celebrating the uniqueness in human beings with a picture of  jazz legend John Coltrane in the background…On June 19th they will perform an original play that is based on the qualities of good character …and sing an original song in honor of President Obama entitled The Dream.

from nikon 516[1]

The Kids for Coltrane Club learning the West Coast Swing from dance teacher Michael Pagan.  On June 19th they will dance and sing…One of the songs they sing are original lyrics to Coltrane’s Equinox.  We call it Hamlet’s Child in honor of the legend. Every Friday our club met after school to dance and sing….and just have a great time!!

Jazz for Young People Concerts at JALC

Posted by: on: June 8, 2009

 

spring 2009 064

Who is Benny Goodman? This question was answered beautifully by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on June 6th. I was honored to be invited to this uplifting concert . The orchestra played Bugle Call Rag, King Porter Stomp, Let’s Dance, Moonglow, and my favorite Sing, Sing , Sing. Victor Goines enlightened the children and parents in the audience all about the world  of  Benny Goodman.

The orchestra was incredible.  The audience got up and danced… and shouted out their feelings…something that I had suggested during the teacher’s professional development with Sherman Irby last month…How cool is that!  It was also great to see Sherman on stage with the rest of the guys doing what they do best…making sweet music. JALC’s Samantha Samuels did a fabulous job on this project and she has a really cute baby girl who seemed to  truly love the music.  Along with the marvelous music, we were treated to Swing dancing from the American Ballroom Theater Youth Dance Company. When the show was over the audience jumped up and gave the artists a standing ovation! Who is Benny Goodman? The answer was clear …a virtuoso who brought joy to the world and made people dance, dance, dance.

Christine and audio engineers

Here I am with the talented audio engineers at JALC who made sure each and every sound was crystal clear.  Thanks Cynthia Hawkins and David Robinson for taking time out to chat with me and my daughter Victoria.  It was also exciting to be invited back stage to say hi to the artists.   We had a great time and can’t wait for the next Jazz for Young People Concert.


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