satellite concert finale

Jim has asked the kids to stand up and do a little dress rehearsal. Francisco has joined the group on stage to play percussion. The kids sing it like they've sung it forever! Rousing applause.

Jim stays on the piano to lead the kids in the finale.

Elizabeth introduces a special guest -- Barbara Murray of the DOE. Thanks for coming to the concert, Barbara!

Now we're singing Jim's Oye -- the theme song of the concert. Sounds like a little carnival around here -- some of the kids are rocking and swinging. Escuchalo!

Next is YPC's signature song, Jim's Give Us Hope. Sums up the mission of YPC. Always brings the house down. These kids are going back to their schools and neighborhoods after this concert, but they'll have this one glorious morning to talk about all summer.

If you were in the concert, send us your comments! We'd love to know what your experience was like!

Nice to have you guys with us. Watch for the next YPC LIVE blog next week!!!

ypc has a new song!

Now we need just 1 more verse, and this new Jim Papoulis song is done. We have 5 minutes to finish the song, then rehearse it, then actually perform it at the end of this concert. Whew.

Here's the last verse, c/o some brilliant ideas from the kids:

I see the light as it's shining in me

Without my world I am fading away (great line from 1 of the kids!)

Is there a way you can see me

now for the chorus

Now we're working on the chorus in a major key, a little happier now: the kids keep throwing out some lines, and here's what we come up with.

My world is changing

A world that one day you will see

And as I'm searching

I find a place to call my own

We have a chorus!!

Now we're singing from the top. First verse and chorus. Incredible that this song is actually shaping before our eyes (and ears).

jim's song is being created

Some of the lines the kids are suggesting are simply so poetic. "Will somebody know I am in this world?" 

Sophia has been writing the lyrics on a blackboard on stage. So far:

Raindrops are falling inside my world

Is it a world that I one day will know

Is there a way you can see me

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.