Today, we performed a concert for 5 through 12 year olds at a recreation camp in Bethel, NY. As we were setting up, the camp director told Beth that the counselors were having some difficulty with some of the campers. Apparently, the younger ones were getting too touchy-feely with one another and the older kids were having trouble resolving conflicts. Typical stuff, really, but it does get in the way of kids having their best summer.
One of our strengths as educators and performers is that we can shape our songs and the accompanying dialogue to address an issue. Instead of just singing and playing, we get to approach a problem as healers. I love this about our work. It’s definitely our “secret sauce” at this point in our career.
As the kids took their seats, we asked them if they knew about something special that had happened here in Bethel in 1969. One older kid raised her hand, “Woodstock!” she said.
“And who can tell us what happened at Woodstock?” I asked.
“It was a big concert,” answered a boy.
“Y’know,” I said, “it was a big concert but it was more than that. Who knows what this sign means?” (I flashed a peace sign.)
From there, we had them because we connected their natural, kid-like desire to have fun together with the historic energy that existed in Bethel all those years ago. In our view, it’s a sacred place for music, good feelings and the wish for something better thats in all of us – just waiting to burst out.
Soon, with some gentle prodding by us and the directors, the counselors and the kids engaged. The concert lifted off the ground and we enjoyed 45 minutes of joy including some pointed lessons about kindness, compassion and cooperation.
The last two songs of the show featured multicolored scarves waving in the air and a group circle dance called “The Beauty Chant.” Yeah – it was a little Kum Ba Ya, but that’s okay. When we were kids there was a song called “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.” Such is the dream of the 60s that some of us hopeful idealists pass on to our children without any irony. (yes. It was a Coca-Cola commercial, too.)
According to a just released study, American children are less healthy in 170 different categories than they were in 2008. I believe that our work is moving the needle ever so slightly in the right direction. It gives me a mission to believe in and a direction to pursue.
Why did we end up in rural Sullivan County? Why didn’t we get a record deal or a TV show? Why are we going strong when many of our peers have already gotten out of the business? I don’t know but I’m guessing we still get a thrill from seeing one child “get it” every time we play or write a song together. That’s my Woodstock and I’m really glad it’s here in my heart.
