For years, writer, musician and OffBeat contributor Michael Patrick Welch has helped students develop language and musical awareness by having them write and perform their own raps. Earlier this year, he put out the CD YA! Young Audiences Raps! which includes such tracks as “A Tale of Two Siblings,” “Fischer Halloween Anthem,” “(Not About) The Things You Do” and “We Rockin’ Jewish.”

This afternoon at 12:30 at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the students from Welch’s class will perform their songs—including a new anti-BP rap—before bounce artist Magnolia Shorty takes the stage. The event is open to the public.

Welch’s students in action:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPEQiavaxP4[/youtube]