May 15, 2021 - July 31, 2021 - World Music - George Abud (Oud), Ashley Jarmack (Ethnic Winds), June Kuramoto (Koto)
We knew we wanted to wrap up the COVID cohort. One of the original programming plans was to get to world music when June Kuramoto had told me that instruments of different Asian countries took on the sounds of their respective languages.
Huxley played the oud. He had learned it from Broadway actor and musician, George Abud. They had starred together in "August Rush", and Huxley and his mom somehow convinced George it would be okay to be a mentor.
As I explained the format of class, I asked George to talk about his career and instrument, and then move into breakout rooms for the kids to compose for his instrument, George was really unsure. Middle Eastern music is not transcribed. It is passed down from generation to generation.
What George didn't expect was how engaged the kids were, and how interested they were in creating by singing melodies for him. It was an exploration of music that was refreshing and inspiring for the students.
You can listen to George's podcast with Huxley below.
Ashley Jarmack would return for one of her numerous engagements (I lost count). But this time, it was for world flutes. She caught the attention of some of the composers who were Zoomed out. If you search for her on social media there are several posts where she shares all of her instruments, and a few times she plays twelve or fifteen of them in an arrangement. Coupled with her ability to engage kids, this session was magic. Ashley remains my first call for anything wind related.
Finally, July 31st, our last session before the end of seventeen-month cohort celebration, June Kuramoto made a triumphant return. The thing about June is she stays humble and grateful. Much like George she frets about how the composers western notation will translate to the koto, as it uses a different form. And much like George and Ashley, her sessions blew the kids away.
June had now mentored three times, this time on zoom. I learn new things from her every time.
World Music might have been our most successful unit to date.
Stuck in the middle of this was the brilliant Ross deRoche. He came to bat giving an interactive lecture on the requirements of prepping for recording sessions. It was the perfect lesson on not just that skill set, but also on collaboration. He would return numerous times for music prep and the tuba.
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