[HANASHIR:7572] Re: Music and Spirituality with Teens

[Meris Ruzow <meris...>]

I like Rick's ideas.  You never know where stories will lead..... I'm sure
some will lead to the issues facing today's world which kids that age are
into.    I would start in with songs that will have lots of meaning to them,
like social action themes:   Hit it right off with "If Not Now When" by
Steve Dropkin, "Light to the Nations" by the same composer, "Al Tifrosh" by
Wally Schachet-Briskin, "Youth Shall See  Visions" Debbie Friedman, etc.
Get hold of the nyfty's 50 book; there are more songs in there.   There's
really quite a good repertoire for teens and once you hook them they're
yours!  Listen to what THEY have to say.  Spend time getting to know them.
Ask them what they're involved with; do any of them play instruments (you
may be able to find a flutist, clarinetist, tpt, etc.). Connect with them!
You'll have them forever.    Best of luck,
Meris Ruzow
meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

-----Original Message-----
From: Rglauber (at) aol(dot)com <Rglauber (at) aol(dot)com>
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 12:32 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:7571] Re: Music and Spirituality with Teens


>If I were teaching a course on Music and Spirituality with Teens, I would
>make sure to use stories as a way to get the students into a more receptive
>state of mind.  I would have at least one short story per week, and tell it
>near the beginning of class.  Otherwise it seems like there is too great of
a
>gulf to try and overcome.  With the right story setting the right mood, I
>believe that everyone (teacher included) would be more open to going deeply
>into the music.
>
>My buddy Jeff Marx (a rabbi in Santa Monica) once told me about a pretty
>high-falutin' gathering of Jewish academics whose mission was to discuss
and
>discover the best ways of inculcating spiritual values in the Jewish
>community.  There answer was, in a word, STORIES.  I totally agree.
>
>Additionally, I would get them out of their seats and standing in a tight
>group at some point during each class.  Get some simple percussion going if
>the song can use it, and let them get some ruach going in their lungs.  The
>physical layout of the space you're working in is crucial.  You can't just
>have them sitting far apart, and hope to generate any spiritual juice.
>Logistics are half the battle.
>
>My two cents,
>Rich Glauber
>
>
>
>
>

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