Legendary Folk Musician and Storyteller Pete Seeger turns 87 today. Seeger has for decades entertained and educated audiencs of all ages with his messages of social justice.
Bruce Springsteen has assembled a group of 18 diverse musicians to record “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions”.
Links to information on Pete Seeger
Protest Songs are making a resurgence, according to The Nation
Listen to Neil Young’s Living With War
Neil Young’s Songs of Impeachment (alternet article)
Listen to Tuberaider’s Pink “Dear Mr. President”
Tomorrow, tomorrow,
I’m wond’ring today
Will they sing our songs tomorrow
In this land, the U.S.A.
Oh, I know they’ll sing them someday,
Those who fight for liberty.
Will our songs be sung tomorrow
In this land that they call free?
(chorus)
Now is the time
Now is the day
Now is the hour
No more delay
Let’s build a peaceful world
And get it right away, not tomorrow,
But today.
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Yesterday was the anniversary of Bob Dylan’s 1964 release of The Times They Are A-Changin’ album.
I thought this was appropriate especially now to post these lyrics. They are a reminder and affirmation of what we must do to be the change we advocate.
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’
Words and Music by Bob Dylan
1963, 1968 Warner Bros. Inc
Renewed 1991 Special Rider Music
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.
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For some months now I have listed David Rovics’ Songs of Social Signifance in my The Arts of Activism section (linked from the left sidebar of my blog).
Just today I discoverd David Rovics’ LJ Blog! And the big news is that David is a new father! Congratulations, David and Nathalie!
Today is the celebration of the birthday of one of most musical geniuses of all time, Wolfgang Amadaus Mozart. Being a classically educated musician, I learned at a very early stage in my training to appreciate and adore the music that has touched eternity. I love telling my students that Mozart began composing at the age of 4 and by age 11 had written a full scale opera. He lived a short, vibrant life with many ups and downs. Having died at the ripe old age of 35 of complications from rheumatic fever, Mozart left ths world with a wealth of brilliant and inspiring collection of music that the world will enjoy forever.
Clever Politics
Mozart was very clever at choosing text for the librettos of his operas. Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), for example, much to the chagrin of Austrian Emporer Joseph and his other music staff, was chosen by Mozart as the opera he would do as his first order from the Emporer to perform an opera for Vienna. This was so controversial because the story because it was based on a banned stage play by Beaumarchais, which made a mockery of the upper class.
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We held auditions last week at my school for the musical Little Shop of Horrors. Oh, how I wish I would have had my camera when the students found out what parts they got! The looks on their faces were priceless.
But there’s bad news. The company that holds the rights to LSH informed us (just an hour after we posted the cast list) that we would not be granted the rights.
GGGRRR!
The kids don’t know yet.
So now we are faced with making a decision on what show to do. We don’t have a large cast from our small school. We are toying with these:
Once Upon a Mattress
Wizard of Oz
Oklahoma
We’ll make a decision by tomorrow.
I just learned of this Amnesty International music project called Make Some Noise. Here is the story:
High-profile international artists. Classic Lennon tracks. United for human rights. This is Make Some Noise – a mix of music, celebration and action in support of Amnesty International. Music can change the world, but only with your voice.
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Last night was one of the Holiday Follies performances by the students of City Academy. A special guest appearance was made by Amy Davis who is the current Miss Utah.
Last night’s performance was dedicated to the staff and board members and their families.
I am the music director at City Academy, a progressive public charter school for grades 7-12. This is the first production like this at our school and I am very proud of our students and thankful for our very talented theater director, Brandon Stauffer.
Last night was one of the Holiday Follies performances by the students of City Academy. A special guest appearance was made by Amy Davis who is the current Miss Utah.
Last night’s performance was dedicated to the staff and board members and their families.
I am the music director at City Academy, a progressive public charter school for grades 7-12. This is the first production like this at our school and I am very proud of our students and thankful for our very talented theater director, Brandon Stauffer.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 