MUSICWORKS' [local/global] EVENTS BLOG:

MUSICWORKS brings interactive arts education into the lives of creative students. We act locally by presenting arts workshops to diverse school populations and pairing students with professionals through shared concerts. We act globally by sending teaching volunteers, supplies, medicine, and instruments to underprivileged populations in Latin America. Donations to MUSICWORKS support lessons, scholarships, equipment, and creative arts education! Below are photos from our work in NYC, Ecuador (Summer 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011), and Guatemala (Summer, 2010). www.MusicworksNYC.org

[musicworks]

https://tidal.com/playlist/abad09d0-e27f-4898-a2de-b7fca817a579

The Holidays are wonderful...and stressful! Check out our collection of Rhythmic Focus songs to get you through. Includes songs from pop stars like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and H.E.R., soul sensations like Sharon Jones and Bill Withers, Hip-Hop producers El Michaels, Madlib, and Aesop Rock, and the uncategorizeable Jacob Collier, DOMi & JD BECK, and Mk.gee.

[musicworks]

MUSICWORKS: LOCAL AND GLOBAL ARTS EDUCATION

​​MUSICWORKS brings interactive arts education into the lives of creative students. We act locally and globally to engage the artistic poten

Welcome to our newest project, @Musicworkslistensto, where students and teaching artists will curate playlists, suggest artists, and share our recommendations for creative listening. Check back often!

[musicworks]

View this post on Instagram

Enjoying the amazingly successful inaugural Princeton University Jazz Festival.  Thanks to Ingrid Jensen and Tia Fuller, two top rate professionals who partnered with Princeton Students to rehearse and perform the pros’ compositions.  This type of mentorship is the BEST method of music education, and it was so satisfying to see it in action!

[musicworks]

running sound at Ann Robideaux’s 2019 PDS Dances (featuring original films, choreography, live and programmed music)

[musicworks]

If you see her...

Great session at Good News Home for Women today, comparing Bob Dylan’s original 1962 version of “If You See Her Say Hello” with Jeff Buckley’s 1993 version from “Live at Sin-e.”  Despite the consensus that Buckley is a much more virtuosic singer than the drawling Dylan, several of the students felt that the more modern take was too dynamic and scattered, while the original held a poise and maturity one might find in a more confident narrator.  There was also some discussion about the parallels between the singer having “never gotten used to it/just learned to turn it off” broken hearted memories and the perils and reality of living with addiction.

[musicworks]

SPLASH at Hope Loves Company meet-up

Well, now I can cross “play a gig at an indoor waterpark” off my list.  Thanks to the amazing crew at Hope Loves Company for a great day of fun, sharing, and community between those touched with ALS disease.  Looking forward to this summer’s camp retreats!

[musicworks]

Monthly Music Hackathon?!

This looks amazingly cool...thanks to Elizabeth Frascoia for the tip!

monthlymusichackathon.org 

[musicworks]

new classes at HomeFront

This week was our first fantastic class with the preschoolers at HomeFront.  HomeFront’s mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. They help families become self-sufficient, give clients the skills and opportunities to ensure adequate incomes, and work to increase the availability of adequate, affordable housing. Musicworks is looking into several ways to bring the joy, therapy, and inspiration of the arts to this community in need.

[musicworks]

‘I have this thing called autism’: A boy’s eloquent message to his fourth-grade classmates

The video is a captivating, charming, true-life explainer of what it’s like for a 9-year-old to live with autism.

We work with a lot of kids with special needs, and we could ALL learn a lot from this guy!

[musicworks]

a short film by Sasha Santiago about the work we do

[musicworks]

Local Teen turned Guitar Hero

In a partnership begun this fall, Musicworks is teaming up with The Corner House in Princeton, NJ to mentor local teens from at risk backgrounds.  High school senior Robert (whose name has been changed for privacy) is receiving free therapy sessions from director and social worker Gary De Blasio, who personally took on his case because he was having such a difficult time navigating daily challenges. Robert was exceptionally smart but struggling with extreme social anxiety and lack of self confidence.  Because of his interest in guitar, Robert was a good candidate for a mentorship with a Musicworks teaching artist.  They have not only been meeting for private sessions, but are now preparing for some jam sessions with other local musicians.  “He’s really locked in now,” says De Blasio. “He knows he has to make good on his responsibilities to continue with music, and it’s helping him stay focused.”  Robert now makes easy eye contact and shy smiles with his teacher, and is excited about joining a band.

(one of the songs Robert is working on---quite a feat!)

[musicworks]

Therapeutic Arts after Addiction

Since August, Musicworks teaching artists Jesse Neuman and Noah Jarrett have been making bi-weekly visits to the Good News Home for Women, a Flemington NJ residential facility for women recovering from substance abuse.  Director Ernestine Winfrey recently introduced an arts component to the center’s programming, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.  Musicworks holds group listening and discussion sessions centered around topics such as empowering anthems (Jim Black’s “Maybe,” Lianne LaHavas’ live version of “Weird Fishes”), structure in music (featuring performance of original compositions), and lyrics focusing on overcoming struggle (Jay Electronica’s “Better in Tune with the Infinite,” Becca Stevens’ “The Muse”).  Recently we’ve added beginner guitar and bass jam-alongs (including rock songs from Nirvana and Journey) to allow participants an opportunity to feel the power of group performance.  Our work focuses on how the mechanics or music are designed and manipulated to produce emotional response, and many of the participants have bravely shared personal connections to their own lives and the role music has played/continues to play in them.  We’ve even had some recent converts to different styles.  As one listener put it, after a particularly in depth discussion, “Wow...I never realized how much I can really understand and enjoy about, well, Jazz!” We’re looking forward to another new year of discovery and understanding at the barn!

[musicworks]

EXTR fall classes signup!

http://www.extremekidsandcrew.org/music-movement-classes/

[musicworks]

Musicworks rounds out the summer with 3 more adult/caregiver concerts

In addition to weekly classes offered by Musicworks (and many others!) at Extreme Kids and Crew, our teaching artists had a special and new opportunity to participate in the Mostly Monthly series this past spring and summer.  In the service of supporting the whole family of a special needs child, Musicworks joined Extreme Kids to present monthly duo concerts geared towards adults and older siblings.  

It’s easy to take for granted the act of attending a concert, but the truth is that there are many logistical and psychological aspects of a typical performance that can be daunting for special needs families.  Lack of physical  accessibility, the need for their kids to run around or stretch out with more space, or even the possibility of outbursts or excessive talking/moaning/grunting which may draw confused or hostile attention from crowds are all realities that families with special needs children must take into account.  Extreme Kids provides a space and community who accepts and embraces differences, and Musicworks teaching artists are in tune with their student abilities and limitations.  It’s a great way to include the whole family while still producing music at a high professional and artistic level.

Special thanks to bassist Brian Killeen, multi-instrumentalist Jessica Lurie, and vocalist/trombonist Elizabeth Frascoia for finishing up this 6 month series in style.  Together, we completed our goal of performing one cover each by (a) Michael Jackson, (b) Stevie Wonder, and ( c) the Beatles at every single event (stream the playlist here)!  We also had some fun with songs about race horses, the Cuban Revolution, beauty queens, Purim, and of course, the Beach Boys.  Looking forward to next year’s festival!

 Brian Killeen

Jessica Lurie

Elizabeth Frascoia

[musicworks]

5 For Good: 'Hope Loves Company' offers weekend away for kids affected by ALS

Dozens of children find support they need at East Brookfield camp

Musicworks spent last weekend at the HLC camp in Massachusetts, and we are looking to collaborate more in the future.  Check out this video for a great snapshot of what this wonderful organization provides, and how we can help.

[musicworks]

Neuman/Jermyn Concert this Sunday

Join us this Sunday, March 12 at noon, at Extreme Kids and Crew’s MOSTLY MONTHLY arts event, for a duo concert featuring Jesse Neuman (trumpet) and Dr. Simon Jermyn (6-string electric bass).  Extreme Kids is a wonderful play/therapy space and resource center for families with special-needs children, and all are welcome.  FREE, but rsvp required.  71 Sullivan Street, Red Hook, BK.

[musicworks]

Neuman/Pupo-Walker Duo Concert this Sunday

Musicworks presents the next in a series of six duo concerts at Extreme Kids and Crew’s Mostly Monthly arts event.  This SUNDAY feb 12th from 12NOON to 1pm, Jesse Neuman (cornet, guitar) and Elizabeth Pupo Walker (percussion, voice) will perform selections by the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Frank Ocean, Sindo Garay, Celia Cruz, and Young MC... all special + typical needs kids and families welcome, but please RSVP here.  71 Sullivan Street, inside Public School bldg.