Let’s face it: music during Mardi Gras is as essential as a good costume and red beans and rice simmering on the stove. Without the marching bands and Mardi Gras anthems—well, it just ain’t Mardi Gras.
Last week I watched a marvelous program about New Orleans’ high school marching bands, and about the Roots of Music: The Whole Gritty City, a special two-hour presentation of CBS News’ 48 Hours. It was one of the better documentaries to come out of New Orleans about why our music is so integral to the city’s culture. Viewing it not only made me proud to be involved with New Orleans music, but incredibly appreciative of the men and women who devote their lives to teaching our kids how music can change their lives.
I’m also proud to state that we’ve honored two of the gentlemen who comprised a major part of the story: Wilbert Rawlins, Jr., band director at O. Perry Walker High School, and Derrick Tabb, who founded the Roots of Music.If anyone reading this doesn’t think that our marching bands are one of the backbones of our musical culture, then this film will convince you. If you doubt that Mardi Gras wouldn’t be what it is without our marching bands, then try to imagine a parade with no music. Can’t do it, can you?
The Original Pinettes, with Jazz Henry in front holding a cornet.
This documentary just reinforced my view that that our young kids can be saved by music, not only as a healing force, but a source of discipline, love, self esteem and pride. I loved watching the kids prepare for their big parades during the Mardi Gras season; I loved seeing the excitement, pride and gratification on a job well done on the kids’ faces, on the faces of the crowds, of their teachers and their parents. Jazz Henry, daughter of trombonist Corey Henry played a major role in the documentary (Jazz also is the youngest member of the Pinettes Brass Band, had a role in HBO’s Treme, and accepted her daddy’s Best of The Beat award at this year’s celebration). Watching Jazz, seeing her mom watch over her, encourage her, trying to give her a better life and to “keep her a child” as long as she could was so moving.I would like to personally that the filmmakers for a moving, heartbreaking, and truly hopeful depiction of New Orleans residents, musicians, bandleaders, teachers and kids and laud CBS News for broadcasting it. If you have not seen it, please take the time to view it. You won’t be sorry.
All over the world, in countries that have a large proportion of their population that’s living in poverty, children are being lost to mean streets. “El Sistema,” the musical programs that were developed in Venezuela over 20 years ago to benefit children of poverty, have had a real impact on kids. In fact, the program has been so successful that it’s spread thoroughout Latin America and into the US. There are two El Sistema-themed groups in Louisiana: the Youth Orchestra of the Lower 9th Ward (now called Make Music NOLA) and the Kids’ Orchestra in Baton Rouge. Of course, we need more of these programs; most of them are funded by donors and arts-related foundations. Why shouldn’t they be funded by the state? What is wrong with our governmental leaders that they cut off a proven method to improve education for all children?
In Jamaica, which has a high poverty rate, I read about a program in Kingston that’s exposing underprivileged kids to a new world. Its programs, too, are experiencing cutbacks in funding from the Jamaican government.
Why have the arts, especially music, been eliminated by our public educational systems? Music education is proven to increase not only musical excellence, but to increase academic achievement, build self-esteem and improve the lives of all children, especially those who are the neediestl. Cutbacks from federal and state governments on music education are hurting our children. Why aren’t we demanding that music be a part of our public educational system?
