The Sound of Music

When our daughter was little one of the songs I sang to her every single night while putting her to bed was "My Favorite Things." Oscar Hammerstein's brilliantly written lyrics have the ability to get a parent and child to focus on feeling gratitude for the simplest of life's pleasures while calming down at the same time. The mere phrase "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" kind of chokes me up right now just thinking about them and even though my girl is 13 she still asks me to sing it to her. I always sentimentally indulge.

For the first time in 45 years, Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and the entire Von Trapp Family cast from The Sound of Music was reunited on Oprah this past week. I found this to be such a celebration for more than a few reasons;

1. The Sound of Music is maybe one of the most perfectly filmed musicals of all time. It is definitely in my top 10 list and holds up with each and every viewing
2. Julie Andrews was beyond divine and the chemistry within the cast was flawless.
3. And perhaps the most important; I thought I was Julie Andrews "mini me" when I was 10. Everyone told me I looked like her and never mind that I was called "Julie" until I was 18. I must have played the sound track on the hi-fi a trillion times re-enacting "I Have Confidence" (suitcase and all) and "I Am Sixteen" with perfect choreography, wearing a flouncy skirt and hopping from chair to sofa, in our living room a billion times. (Yes, I have just outed myself as being a child when the film was released, proud Baby Boomer that I am!)

The Sound of Music, the story and the film, survives because it joins two very important ideas; 1) music, the universal language, connects people on the cellular level and 2) music is stronger than war. The Von Trapp Family singers found strength and resilience in their music and found collected strength in each other to stand up to adversity. Without the music they probably wouldn't have escaped Austria during the initial stages of the WWII. It was the music that broke open Captain Von Trapp's heart so he could see what was really important to his family. The music became their message. The music saved them. The music gave them a new life.

I'm not saying anything particularity new here, but, I do think we need to revisit or introduce our children to certain classic stories and films on a regular basis. They are life affirming and there isn't anything better that singing along with your favorite musical with your favorite family members.

So, "When the dog bites, when the bee stings", go to your DVD player, pop in The Sound of Music and sit there with your child while they sing "Do, Re, Mi" (learning the scale - kind of like hiding the vegetables) and "The Lonely Goatherd" (seeing the magic of puppetry) with you and revel in the power of the music.

To be continued. . .

God Bless the Child

Jazz. The Great Depression. The Deep South. The Great Migration.

These don’t sound like the usual subject matter for a children’s picture book, but, wait; think, Billie Holiday and the timeless recording of her own lyrics (along with Arthur Herzog Jr.) “God Bless the Child”.

God Bless the Child

Written by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog & Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

A picture book tells a story with pictures in tandem with words. Like a film, the words guide the story, but the visual is what makes those very perfect words take flight.

To me, God Bless the Child’s illustrations are very reminiscent of the 1990 August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play “The Piano Lesson” that starred Charles S. Dutton. Dutton turned in one of those riveting, soulfully authentic performances that stay with audience members for decades. I can’t help but think that seeing Billie Holiday perform “God Bless the Child” as a similar experience.

Illustrator Jerry Pinkney has captured the dusty, hopeful feeling and muted colors of the Great Depression with historic perfection. He works in an interesting way; costuming friends and relatives, creating a theatrical scene, photographing them, and then turning that photograph into an illustration. Mr. Pinkney has been illustrating since 1964 with over 100 books to his credit. How's that for prolific?! He is a 4 time recipient of the Caldecott Honor Medal, 4 time Coretta Scott King Award winner, 2 time Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner, along with countless other awards.  I encourage you to visit Jerry's website and read his extensive bio and be wowed by his treasured illustrations. You will need a separate library just to accommodate these works.


“God Bless the Child” comes with the original soundtrack recording of Billie Holiday that runs on a loop so a child can take their time look at the illustrations while listening to one of the great recording artists of all time. Now, that is what reading and art is all about!


To be continued. . .

Boogers and Doctors and Brachydactilia, OH MY!

A couple blogs ago I mentioned that I used to make up rhymes for our daughter that helped make various daily activities more fun. Activities like, oh, you know, having to get up out of bed, going to the doctor to get our eyes, ears, and nose checked or, maybe something like. . . GET A SHOT!!!! Anyway, here are a couple of my silly songs.

For getting up:

It’s time to get up and go to school

Get all dressed up and eat some gruel

Get in the car and drive, drive, drive

See Mr. Clark (fill in teacher’s name) and give a high-five!

It’s time to get up and go to school…

Sometimes I made up additional verses that fit something like hideous weather or Valentines Day and then hit Repeat until I got total & complete co-operation or I lost my mind. Of course, sometimes these events happened at the same time.

For going to see our pediatrician Dr. Julia the little ditty went like this:

We’re going to see Dr. Julia.

She checks for brachydactilia. (bra-kee-dak-til-ee-a)

She is a very nice lady!

And says I’m not a-fraidy.

FYI: Brachydactilia; n. an abnormal shortness of fingers and toes… (Funny sounding unless you have this rare medical condition.) We made up our own definition for brachydactilia.We decided it was the condition of really hard boogers. The bonus of using impossibly huge and complex words with a 2-5 year old is the spontaneous hilarity that ensues when pushing their verbal skills to the brink. I just love hearing what will come out of their little mouths! Plus, I think laughter on the way to the Dr. is always a prudent move. On the other hand; if your child is not feeling co-operative you can always use the real meaning of brachydactilia as leverage or a threat. “Hey! Sweetie! If you don’t get your fingers out of your nose you will develop serious brachydactilia!”

Speaking of boogers, this leads me to one of my all time fave little kid books.

Yummy Yucky

Written & illustrated by Leslie Patricelli

“Burgers are yummy.”                     

“Boogers are yucky.”

“Spaghetti is yummy.”                      

“Worms are yucky.”

You get the idea. It’s a giggly treat of a board book. Leslie Patricelli has brilliantly managed to distill this “yummy, yucky” concept down to the barest of bare minimums. Where was this book 10 years ago when I needed it? Check out her adorable website replete with games and other amusements. 

On a personal note; my phrase for something yucky was “icky poo poo ka ka la la.” What makes this work are the stop plosives of the “p” and the hard guttural “k” sounds stirred in with repetition and part of the musical scale; “la la”. These elements added with various scary faces and screaming will also get the point of “yummy vs. yucky” across to your pre-K child in nano second.

When Charlie McButton Lost Power

Written by Suzanne Collins

 Illustrated by Mike Lester

OK, this is the funniest rhyming (and you know how much I adore a good rhymed yarn!) picture book since Dr. Seuss’ Fox in Sox or Gertrude McFuzz! (Both of which I’ve read no less than 100 times each…love them! I’m headed down the same path with Charlie McB.) Charlie McButton has an addiction; computer games (sound familiar?). He NEEDS anything electronic. Until, one day, there is a power surge and there is power no more. What will he do??? He can hardly breathe. His mother says:

“You’ll have to find something without plugs to play.

Read a book! Clean your room! Sing a Song! Model clay!”

That’s it! He’s done. His life is over. He pitches a fit. Has a time out.  Hurts is sister’s feelings. Then feels bad, makes up with her in the bathroom and rediscovers how fun it is to play, to make believe, and just hang out.

Suzanne Collins’ has nailed the phenomenon of today’s youth and their electronic filled obsessions while telling a great story in rhyme. This is no easy task. Some of her rhymes are so incredibly clever I couldn’t help but to dissect them. The rhythm and rhyming is perfect and often internal which makes for super fun read aloud time! This is simply a must read for the whole family.

To be continued…

High Tech and High Art for All

There is an exciting development going on in Tacoma. Some very smart people have gotten together and purchased a 100 year old performance space call Valhalla Hall. These people have raised money to renovate this rather large relic and eye sore of a performance space into "Allen Place", a state of the art technology and performing arts center for the under served children in the Hilltop neighborhood, which sits just at the top of downtown Tacoma.

This is one of the solutions to the extremely distressing issues that are brought up in the documentary film "Waiting for Superman"; giving underprivileged children a place where they can potentially fill in the gaps that their schools are unable to provide, either because of budget issues, or not having enough teachers who are specialists.

I am considered a specialist. I don't have a teaching certificate and yet I am an expert in my field. Having a place like the one mentioned above allows a child to learn from experts that they would rarely, if ever, come in contact with at school. This is a great opportunity for young students that will not only enhance their education, but, give them renewed hope in their own voice, talent, and life. And every child deserves to feel the power of their own creative voice.

I believe that every major and minor metropolitan area should have a center like Allen Place so as to keep a level playing field for the ones who have and the ones who have not. This kind of center also employs artists; actors, directors, singers, choreographers, composers, and musicians as teaching artists. Artists have a great desire to share their knowledge with children as way of enriching neighborhoods, schools, and the community at large.

Allen Place will not only expose and engage children in technology and the performing arts, but, should prove to be an incredible shot in the arm for the neighborhood. It will entice new business owners to open shops and restaurants and it will inspire others to continue to beautify the area. It's a win-win for everyone and I can't wait to see the finished product!

Check out the vision. . .

I will keep you posted on the progress.

Sing (or Rap) for Your Supper

Last night we took our daughter to see "Waiting for Superman", the documentary by filmmaker Davis Guggenheim that brilliantly illustrates the sad state of our public school system. If you haven't seen it I would like to suggest that you take your kids pronto. It is at the same time depressing, enlightening, and inspiring. I personally feel an urgent need to be part of the solution.

At one point in the film we see a teacher who, in her desire to connect important math concepts to her students, makes up or composes a rap number/song as a teaching device. This technique not only connects every single one of her students to the material; they love it! The students then continue to repeat the math rap on the playground. Can you say light bulb? And hear bells going off: ding, ding, ding?

I must confess the success of this idea doesn't surprise me for a few reasons:

1). Music is mathematical, and math is musical (Remember "Inch Worm" from Hans Christian Anderson? 2 + 2 is 4, 4 + 4 is 8, 8 + 8 is 16, 16 and 16 is 32.)

2.) Kids love music and singing and, hello, you don't need a great voice to rap, just a brain and a fast talking kid! It's just another version of jump rope rhymes!

And 

3.) When our daughter was little I sang everything to her. I made up songs for getting up in the morning. I made up songs about going to school. I made up songs about going to the doctor. I made up songs about food. When I did these silly songs she loved it! She would ask me to sing them over and over again. She would ask me to help her rhyme. I was just fun game. I still make up rhymes and rhythms to help her when she is studying for a test.

The beautiful thing about singing information of any kind is that is makes the learning part feel effortless and fun and, seriously, who doesn’t want to have fun when they are learning.

So, the next time your child is having a little difficulty with retaining information try turning that information into lyrics. You will learn what they are learning and have a little educational bonding moment. Yes, this takes time and patience especially when you are exhausted, but, the benefits of staying present and being creative with our children's education is beyond measure.

It's going to take some time to undo the damage of our public school system and I believe it will change for the better. In the meantime, we are the Supermen and Superwomen in our children's lives. They are waiting for us!

Leonard Bernstein Follow-up

Check This Out!

This is a mini-follow up on my last post. 25 out of 53 of Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts are available on DVD! Go to Amazon and read some of the reviews. They are fascinating and insightful. Here is a partial list of the topics Leonard Bernstein covered with a sold out Carnegie Hall full of kids for 15 years:

1. What Does Music Mean? 
2. What is American Music? 
3. What is Orchestration? 
4. What Makes Music Symphonic? 
5. What is Classical Music? 
6. Humor in Music 
7. What is a Concerto? 
8. Who is Gustav Mahler? 
9. Folk Music in the Concert Hall 
10. What is Impressionism? 
11. Happy Birthday, Igor Stravinsky 
12. What is a Melody? 
13. The Latin American Spirit 
14. Jazz in the Concert Hall 
15. What is Sonata Form? 
16. A Tribute to Sibelius 
17. Musical Atoms: A Study in Intervals 
18. The Sound of an Orchestra 
19. A Birthday Tribute to Shostakovich 
20. What is a Mode? 
21. A Toast to Vienna in 3/4 Time 
22. Quiz-Concert: How Musical Are You? 
23. Berlioz Takes a Trip 
24. Two Ballet Birds 
25. Fidelio: A Celebration of Life 

This is a must have for you and your child's arts library.

Draw What You Hear

I had the great privilege of seeing the 20^th Season Opening Night Concert of Northwest Sinfonietta this past Saturday night. On the menu for Act I was an emotional Brahms Concerto in A minor for Violin and Cello, Op. 102, "Double Concerto" (1887). The remarkable soloists were violinist Marie Rossano and cellist Julian Schwarz. Act II served up an invigorating experience of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, "Eroica" (1802-03). Conducting was the NW Sinfonietta's founder, the charismatic and talented Christophe Chagnard.

As I sat in the beautiful, vintage Rialto Theatre in the heart of Tacoma's Theatre District, I thought back to my childhood when listening to classical music was, not just a daily event, but a daily, all day event. My mother played piano constantly and when she wasn't playing piano she had a huge collection of classical records that rotated in rep on the hifi.  The point is; all I knew was classical music for the better part of my formative years.

On Saturday mornings my mother would put us in front of the black and white television to watch Leonard Bernstein's "Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic". This program ran on and off between 1958 and 1973; quite a remarkable run, but, not surprising since Leonard Bernstein was nothing short of a music genius and national treasure. The Young People's Concert was an amazing combination of music and education sometimes mixed with art. As Bernstein conducted these programs, explaining potentially dry music terminology to a Carnegie Hall fill with children from ages 3-15, he would light up with excitement and get every child in the audience completely involved and entranced with where he was going. For instance, I remember him speaking about what "development" of a piece of music meant or how symphonic music differed from jazz or pop. At one point he did this by involving the entire audience of children by having them sing the popular French rhyme "Frere Jacques" in a variety of ways. It became a clear demonstration that brought a complex idea to life.

On another program I recall Bernstein had an artist draw on a gigantic canvas while he conducted Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf". How brilliant is that? My mom took this idea and ran with it. She used to put me on the floor with large craft paper, spin one of her favorites like Vivaldi's Four Seasons and would say, "Now, draw what you hear!, tell me a story."

I have been so inspired by Leonard Bernstein in my life that I recently wrote a rhyming manuscript that I turned into a TV pitch. It has morphed into a children's play and is titled "Pica & Moba; Draw What You Hear!" It's a work in progress that is trying to find its voice. At some point this work will be produced or published or maybe even both!

You see, all of these art forms are related – music, rhythm, rhyming, word play, drawing, painting, acting, singing, dance – they all share this; expression of the human spirit in it's purest form. And many times one art form influences another. A song can lead to writing a rhyming story that can lead to an idea for a dance which can lead to a painting. . . and on and on and on. That's what we want to teach our children to tap into; bringing ideas to life without editing to see where that expression lands. And it doesn't matter how they get there, as long as they get there. It is our job to be their guide and give them the freedom to experiment with their own voice.

Listening to that incredible music on Saturday night I thought, "I wonder if a version of The Young People's Concert is possible today". Leonard Bernstein influenced an entire generation of children and their love of music. Maybe there is someone out there as captivating as Leonard Bernstein. 

Hmmmm, maybe I should give Northwest Sinfonietta's Conductor Christophe Chagnard a call?