Posts
This weekend I caught the last 10 minutes of an HBO special about a group called The Lousiville Leopards Percussionists, and it didn't take long before I was in tears watching these kids. A group of about 65 students between the ages of 7-12, this Kentucky-based nonprofit brings together children of all different backgrounds and teaches them to play a number of percussion instruments, including marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, drums, and bongos to name a few.
In 2006, this group performed at the International Association of Jazz Educators concert in New York City, playing "Spain" as one of their opening numbers to introduce Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez, and Jack DeJohnette. Wow!
What really got me was not how talented these kids are (and they are), or how hard their teacher worked to get them to that point, but the looks of absolute joy on their faces as they played. The HBO special highlighted the students learning and growing through music: overcoming obstacles, learning teamwork and dedication, and having that sense of overwhelming pride as the audience went wild for their version of "Sing, sing, sing".
Check out the video below:
In 2006, this group performed at the International Association of Jazz Educators concert in New York City, playing "Spain" as one of their opening numbers to introduce Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez, and Jack DeJohnette. Wow!
What really got me was not how talented these kids are (and they are), or how hard their teacher worked to get them to that point, but the looks of absolute joy on their faces as they played. The HBO special highlighted the students learning and growing through music: overcoming obstacles, learning teamwork and dedication, and having that sense of overwhelming pride as the audience went wild for their version of "Sing, sing, sing".
Check out the video below:
