Fourth graders sing the blues
Oct. 5, 2008
Outfitted with kazoos, fourth and fifth graders from Grant Elementary School had their moment of fame on the stage at Flat Branch Park on Oct. 4. The kids were part of T.J. Wheeler's Hope, Heroes and the Blues program.
T.J. Wheeler directs several children from Grant Elementary at the Flat Branch Park stage Oct. 4.
It was probably the only time a Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival performer could be heard shouting, "We go on in five minutes, mom," before scampering off to squeeze in a last minute game of tag before the big performance.
But that was the scene backstage at Flat Branch Park early Saturday morning as the kids of Grant Elementary prepped before their performance with blues musician T.J. Wheeler. It was all part of Wheeler's Hope, Heroes and the Blues program, which has taken Wheeler to schools across the country to teach young students about the history and power of blues music, from its roots in the black community to its influence on music new and old.
Anxious moms, awkward haircuts and the occasional shark-tooth necklace distinguished the lineup as the Grant fourth graders piled on stage on either side of Wheeler.
As they settled in, a young boy close to the microphone could be heard saying, "You guys, scoot over!"
With everybody finally in their places, Wheeler commended the crowd for turning off the TV and the radio and getting out of the house to experience live music, saying it would have been easy to stay in. "But you guys are from Missouri," he said. "You gotta see it to believe it." The crowd, apparently pleased with Wheeler's familiarity with state nicknames, cheered back appreciatively.
Wheeler and his band of fourth graders began a set list of classics and original songs, celebrating John Henry, harking the virtues of going green and spotlighting blues' lasting mark on music.
In between songs, Wheeler recapped his week spent with Columbia's Grant Elementary School and North Elementary School from Holts Summit. He spoke of teaching the students how much of what is American music today owes itself to the black artists that permeate the blues scene. Much of black history, from musical contributions to discoveries and advancements, have gone ignored by American textbooks, Wheeler says. And through his weeklong residency with both schools, Wheeler said he hopes that he's left his young pupils with something to think about and something to listen to.
"I got my kazoo army now," says Wheeler before the group's next number, as the fourth graders pulled their kazoos from their pockets and started on their next number. North Elementary School students watched from the sidelines as Wheeler and the Grant students performed, recalling a scene similar to pre-performance backstage.
Cries of "Scoot your booty!" and fighting over which school had cooler festival t-shirts ("Nuh-uh! Ours have a picture on the back!") filled the air. And as Grant wrapped up and Wheeler performed solo for a few songs, eager voices called out, "When do we go on?" and "Is it our turn yet?"
Their turn finally came. Wheeler told the audience that unlike his time at Grant Elementary, his time with North was cut in half. But their performance of "Wade in the Water" still managed to bring the audience to their feet.
And as Wheeler called up North's fourth grade music teacher to help finish out the song, the last number of the show, the students shouted "Ms. Carr!" over and over again until she made her way to the stage.
"Our children are going to have some very troubled waters ahead," says Wheeler, without access to good and complete education, including the contributions of African-Americans. That, he says, begins with an understanding of many cultures, something that the blues is fit to bring about.
"The healing power of blues is just something we have to share," he says.
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- Fourth graders sing the blues — It was probably the only time a Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival performer could be heard shouting, "We go ...
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