groovin' with jim

Jim suggests something groovin'. All the kids love the idea. We'll start with a minor, do a major for the chorus, then go back to minor.

Now he's asking them what's going on in their heads so we can add some words. The kids throw out some ideas. Here's one: Raindrops are falling everywhere. (A little darkness here, says J. He suggests: Raindrops are falling inside of my world.)

J adds a crescendo. Then a beat. The song is quickly shaping up. John has added some percussion. J plays the piano and the kids are singing that one beautiful line.

workshopping with jim

Jim: what do we need to write a song?

Answers: rhythm words emotion a beat.

J: what emotions?

A: happy sad excited frustrated proud.

J: what's the difference between a major and minor chord? (Jim plays some chords.) First rule, says Jim, is you need to say what you want to say. Talk about what's going on in your head.

what is a song

Jim asks the kids what is a song. Some answers:

Putting words into your feeling and saying how you feel at the moment.

Melody and harmony, notes mixed together with words.

Jim then asks what kind of music they listen to:

Answers: Rock. Jazz. Hip hop. R&B. Slow rock. Rap. Rock n roll. Reggae. Classic. (Whew. Jim has been waiting for this...)

Jim: what do we need to write a song? Somebody says "rhythm." Jim asks them to spell it (or give him their money, haha). 3 tries, and someone gets it. Yey.

jim papoulis workshop

We're close to the finale of the concert. We have a songwriting workshop with special guest Jim Papoulis. We are clearing the stage to prepare for the workshop. This is a first in the program.

Elizabeth asks the kids to raise their hand if they've ever sung a song by Jim. Everybody does. And when he comes on stage, imagine the rousing welcome. Kind of like Michael Phelps walking in.

sing sing sing

PS75's 2nd song is the classic Sing, Sing, Sing -- probably sums up the spirit of our Satellite program and concert. The program gives our kids professional lessons and a chance to sing their hearts out at places like the awesome 92nd St Y.

You can't help but swing to this number. There's 1 boy in the 2nd row who's swinging like Fred Astaire!

and now, PS75

But not before Elizabeth leads the house in a rousing reprise of Hine Ma Tov!

Now we have a humongous group of grade 3,4,and 5 children on stage, all from PS75 on the UWS. Amy is conducting. They are singing When I Close My Eyes by Jim Papoulis. (One of the kids is wearing a tie over his lime green t-shirt -- who says YPC doesn't start fashion trends?)

ps1 rocks

Hine Ma Tov! Feel like dancing! BTW our kids from PS1 are so cute and young -- grades 3,4, and 5. 

We're asking people to guess how many parts this song is. Hmm. The answer is: 2.