Musical Bridges Around The World

Staff story: Today, Cynthia and I facilitated a dynamic session at the YWCA Olga Madrid Center, continuing our work through "The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music”, a film that MBAW produced to make the history and heritage of African American music and culture more accessible to children and families. We dedicated this session with children at Olga Madrid to reviewing its themes and embarking on a musical journey through its timeline. We began by introducing ourselves to the kids, fostering a comfortable environment before inviting them to share a bit about themselves. Some eagerly participated, while others preferred to listen. I then interviewed Cynthia Freeman-Gibbs, the writer and the lead actor of the film; delving into her experience getting into character, behind-the-scenes insights, and the film's content. We encouraged the kids to ask questions, and it was clear they connected with our discussion. When Cynthia shared details about the production's behind-the-scenes aspects, the kids' engagement soared. I even joked about their curiosity regarding her character's hair, which led Cynthia to explain that part of the process. This sparked a student's excellent suggestion to explore the film's timeline through music, a concept we immediately embraced. The kids noted how the movie itself felt like a timeline. Gabriel eloquently put it, "I like the movie because it had different emotions from coping to celebration," a point Cynthia expanded upon. As others shared their interpretations of the film, we transitioned into our main activity. We decided to experience the listening stations as a group, traveling together through different musical genres. We started with Negro Spirituals, discussing the societal issues of that era. I even shared my personal challenge in articulating some of the historical terms, which resonated with the kids. When we reached Ragtime, I made a joke about the immense popularity of "The Entertainer," humorously painting a picture of a kid with a gramophone on his shoulder, stopping to wind it up to jam out. This mental image truly broke the ice, eliciting laughter and establishing a running theme of imagining kids and their historical music listening experiences. During our discussion of "Wade in the Water," one student referenced specific illustrations from the film, demonstrating their deep connection to the material. The center staff also became highly engaged, sharing their own experiences with the music and content. One staff member even brought out her personal records to show the kids what they looked like, turning the session into a vibrant, shared experience for everyone – students, staff, and us. The kids showed remarkable engagement, gaining knowledge and developing a profound respect for the art, the lesson, and the historical content. They expressed genuine excitement for future sessions, feeling the emotions embedded in the songs and seeing the story unfold through the music. As one child insightfully remarked, "I can hear that they took their music personal." Caleb Gonzalez Educational Coordinator Musical Bridges Around the World