THOMAS CABANISS
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COMPOSER   *    TEACHING ARTIST

THINKING ABOUT HOW MUSICAL CREATIVITY CAN SERVE

Writings on music, arts education, and the world

Sitting together

1/29/2016

4 Comments

 
Yesterday, we did two performances of The Orchestra Moves with the Charleston Symphony at the new Gaillard Center. One more today. By all measures, they were successful shows. The students were well-prepared, and the orchestra played brilliantly. It is a lovely new concert hall; the acoustics are terrific. 

But the overriding thought I had during yesterday's performances was how important it is to have a place where different schools from all over the Lowcountry can come and sit together. Just share the same space with a common purpose. There were schools from Summerville and North Charleston, from McClellanville, and James Island -- and from Buist Academy just next door. And yes, it's true that there are still schools that are predominantly black and predominantly white, but there are also schools where there is a pretty even mix, and LinkUp has a lovely way of making the playing field even. Prepared is prepared. If you know your music, you are in the game. Students and teachers can tell who knows their songs and who can sing in one or two or three parts. And when the kids were all singing in Portuguese to the strains of "Cidade Maravillhosa," yes, it was a Brazilian samba party, but it was also a moment of shared artistic achievement. How often do different schools have a chance at that?  
4 Comments
David Frazier
1/29/2016 06:28:07 am

Mr. Cabaniss, the concert was amazing! Thank you for coming down and sharing the stage with the CSO, and our students. My students were so excited, and they loved "Cidade Maravillhosa!"

I'm looking forward to many more Link Up!'s to come!

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Thomas Cabaniss link
1/29/2016 11:17:22 am

My pleasure, David. I thought the students were really well-prepared, and the musicians especially enjoyed hearing the kids playing and singing in the hall! I hope to see you again soon.

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Leslie McMichael
3/19/2016 08:59:19 am

I hope you don't mind that I shared this great post! As one of the teaching artists with the Seattle Symphony, I am thrilled to be working with 3rd-5th graders this spring as we prepare for OUR LinkUp concerts this May.

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Thomas Cabaniss link
3/19/2016 09:34:13 am

Thanks for sharing, Leslie. We cherish the collaborations we have with you, through LinkUp and through Lullaby! I wish you all the best with the May concerts. - T

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