[Dixielandjazz] What music do young people hear?

[Russ Guarino]

My $.02 cents worth.

I worked several years as a substitute music and math teacher between 1989-1993 and
had many assignments in a variety of schools including a one year band assignment at
Crescenta High in the Glendale, So. Cal. district.

One of the traditions of Crescenta HS band was to visit all the jr. highs and
perform for an hour with the Stage Band [ 17 pieces ] to promote the music program.

I was astonished at the student reaction to the music.  We played swing big band
arrangements.  My kids had done this before and put on a little show about the music
program, etc., I just hung around and watched.

The younger students went "nuts".

IMO, Kids from about age 10 to 16 are  impressionable and  respond very positively
to the rhythm and excitement of OKOM, big band or smaller group.

We have since played with our Dixie  group for a couple of schools with the same
reaction. These performances are some of the most rewarding performances we do.  In
one performance, I was standing by the stage curtain.  The applause was so
thunderous following one tune, I took the curtain and wrapped it around my lower
torso and said to the audience...."I hope your not planning to tear off my
clothes".  Big, big laugh.

Russ Guarino



Steve barbone wrote:

> From: DWSI at aol.com (Dan Spink) asked, about my statement
>
> Ah me,  lots of people still don't get it . . . just how powerful this music
> is to  the young people these days.
>
> > Steve: My only question is, what "music" do younger people really "hear"
> > these days? For example, I listen very hard to hear those subtle chord changes
> > in Snoop Doog (or it Dog?) and Eminem (or is it M&M?) but, alas,  my hearing
> > isn't what it used to be. I hear only the same repetitive rhythm and  lots and
> > lots of shouting.
>
> Dan:
>
> What many of them hear in the area around our band territory is OKOM. Wait a
> day or two and then check my band schedule out. We're working 6 days a week
> in various venues WHERE THE KIDS ARE.
>
> Sadly virtually no other OKOM Bands are doing this. Why? Because of old
> fashioned ideas about the music, the audience and the crotchety downing of
> anything that appeals to the young.
>
> In effect, your (our) attitude about the kid's music today, is exactly the
> same as the attitude of our great grand parents was about jazz music and
> it's appeal to kids in 1920. The only difference is that 'Our" arteries have
> now hardened and we have become our great grand parents.
>
> DeJa Vu all over again. :-) VBG.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve
>
> PS. It is not the "music" of Eminem etc., that the kids listen to. IT IS THE
> MESSAGE. This should be obvious to us all. "Music" is what the kids are
> missing right now and you and other players/bandleaders should be supplying
> it. HUGE HIDDEN DEMAND.
>
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