Kids Speaking Up: The Rhythm of My Pulse

» Tisha Ford on 01.22.09 @ 05:15 AM

Sio,
You have restored my faith in your generation to “sustain the spirit of that good music”.
twf

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» Stephanie on 01.22.09 @ 06:48 AM

Oh, Sio.  You are such a lovely writer, and have said this so beautifully.  Sad and true yet I remain hopeful!  There are still amazing young people like you gracing the planet with your inner beauty.

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» Proud mother on 01.22.09 @ 10:58 AM

I guess I feel very proud at this moment.  My son who is 31 was exposed very young to a variety of music, in school and at home. Yes, he loves the modern rock and roll that most young people do, but he also loves music from musicals, classical music, symphonies and even Christmas music. Yes, children need to be exposed to all types of music and they will naturally learn to appreciate and love many kinds.  Nice article from an intelligent young woman.

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» Hating Music... on 01.22.09 @ 04:48 PM

only natural to like in the end. For any pieces by way of Bach being classical, I’m trying to get Bill “McAroni” Ceroni to blast Copland’s Rodeo on his radio station and see if any can juggle the beats probably running at 98 bpms with Joplin’s novelty piano.

Absent knowledge of influence, ragtime did influence Aaron’s ballet. I think that in the small minority to sustain any spirits, shiraz or manischevitz, any music is good to have a beat for keeping me alive so be prepared to argue that point.

Peace Love Unity Happiness Respect: PLUHR - was so like the turn of the millennium - look; 2 m’s, 2 i’s, 2 l’s, 2 n’s and a sole e. Music is for every body 2 have.

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» lehlthomres@gmail.com on 01.25.09 @ 04:39 PM

Ah, Sio, how your words are sweet music to my ears!  Our nation is “out of tune” with its cultural heritage—-children are no longer able to sing our national anthem, let alone taught music appreciation, to play a musical instrument, or listen to classical music.

Perhaps you would join the student-driven school reform movement?  Our school system has lost sight of the educational mission to teach our children how to express themselves in all ways—-with words, art, music, dance, drama—-and learn to admire the expressions of others.

“Hating Music” mentions “PLURH” and my favorite, Copland, but then turns my stomach with Bill “MacAroni” Ciron, who cooks up a terrible curriculum and mixes corruption into our schools.

Teachers, parents, and students are online, all over the country, discussing a new school paradigm.  I, too, bemoan the sad state of education; my son’s generation is not fond of school for good reason. 

Please join http://www.sbschooltalk.com and tune in to education reform.

That “spirit of good music” that keeps you alive plays in the hearts and souls of humanity but it is often drowned out by chaos and conflict. 

Perhaps the music of your generation is expressing a horrifying reality—-that the world is “out of step” and our disharmonious ways have made us not only “tone deaf” but heart-sick and short-sighted, too.

You wondered “if humanity is beginning to cease its lack of appreciation of purely awesome music” while the world’s wise elders and peacemakers wonder if humanity has completely lost its mind, lost its abilities to think rationally and act reasonably, respectfully, and most importantly, to be compassionate. Even worse is the propensity for violence and corruption.
 
Your words of praise for your favorite music turn to sour notes when you berate others:  “I was appalled by the ignorance that was so blatantly inherent in my friend.”

Mind your words and mend your mind, my dear, sweet Sio.
Be tolerant; practice patience and understanding—-you’ll need it when your own children turn up the volume to the atonal sounds of their generation: 

“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.  I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” - Dalai Lama

That your friend couldn’t hear what made your heart sing means only that she is dancing to “the beat of a different drummer. Let her step to the music which she hears, however measured or far away.”  Henry Thoreau

I will never forget my mother’s face when she first heard the Beatles, and I laugh to hear their music in elevators and in ads today.  How lucky I was to accompany Mom to her beloved Broadway musicals, classical ballets, symphonies, and even modern masters.

(Maya Angelou was so right:  “No matter what your relationship with your parents, you miss them when they’re gone.”)

My whole life I have been thought “mad” by those who couldn’t hear the music to which I danced.  Lately, though, I find I am shaking my booty to the rhythm of your generation, moving to a new kind of beat.

Let us listen to our children for a change!  “Every blade of grass has an angel bending over it, saying, ‘Grow! Grow!’” The Talmud. 

May “Kids Speaking Up!” become a grass-roots, student-driven reform movement in education and our society.

We’re listening, and you’re singing a wonderful song!

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» skpoet on 01.27.09 @ 08:55 AM

Dear Sio,

Others have complimented you for writing such a nice piece and so do I.  I want to tell you that your lament is not a new one.  Through the years, jazz has had endure being misunderstood and even abused.  It has often been placed in the “other” categories.  There have been periods when it was not embraced by the general public, i.e. adults.  Many other genres - pop, r & B, country, disco, hip-hop, rap - have been more successful by sheer numbers of sales and airplay.  Several years ago, I wrote a short play called “Jazz at Big John’s”  based on a true story about how my dad had tried to bring jazz to my small hometown in western North Carolina.  His efforts were short-lived because most of the town club-goers would rather hear R&B;.  They were quite vocal about this and would not patronize the jazz groups that he was bringing into town.  My dad was heartbroken when he had to close the club.  Music tastes often mellow with age.  My generation, the boomers, as a viable target audience can still have an impact on the type of music that gets airplay. Jazz - from whence the idea of “cool” was born could become very “cool” again.  Today’s young people may one day clamor to hear the “hippest” music to come out of the 20th Century. Keep hope alive.

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