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Percussionist brings juba, jive to schools
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David Pleasant shows students the fine points of juba and jive during a demonstration.
Principal Susan Knors, left, Isaac Barack, Shirajh Mullen, Philip Orselli, Catherine Sweeney, Daelynn Jorif, Michaela Barnett, and Andre Poprilo, director of fine and performing arts.
Baldwin fourth- and fifth-graders at Plaza and Lenox Schools have worked with David Pleasant, a percussion virtuoso, rhythm effects vocalist, university lecturer, and senior Fulbright scholar who specializes in African-America traditions. Using drums, cymbals, tambourines and marimbas, as well as the body percussion rhythms of shout, juba, and jive, Pleasant had all the students singing, dancing, and clapping — while weaving in an unforgettable lesson in American history.
Pleasant, who was born in Savannah and raised in McIntosh County, Ga., grew up immersed in the rich Gullah Geechee culture of the area. The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of escaped African slaves and former slaves who preserved their African culture and rich musical traditions while carving out and defending a quasi-independent life on the George and South Carolina coastline. Before his visit, the students worked with elementary curriculum consultant Nomi Rosen to understand the Gullah Geechee culture against the tapestry of the African American experience in America from the 16th century to the present.
Musicians head to all-state winter conference
Six Baldwin High School students have been selected to perform at the state School Music Association’s All State Winter Conference in Rochester, Dec. 3 through 6.
They are: Barak Isaac, alto saxophone, for the Wind Ensemble; Shirajh Mullen, trumpet, and Phillip Orselli, trombone, for Symphonic Band, and Michaela Barnett, alto II, Daelynn Jorif, alto I, and Catherine Sweeney, soprano II, for Mixed Chorus. Two alternate positions were Daelynn Jorif, jazz soprano, and Danielle Davis, cello. The Baldwin students are among only approximately 900 students selected for NYSSMA Winter Conference statewide.
Pleasant, who was born in Savannah and raised in McIntosh County, Ga., grew up immersed in the rich Gullah Geechee culture of the area. The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of escaped African slaves and former slaves who preserved their African culture and rich musical traditions while carving out and defending a quasi-independent life on the George and South Carolina coastline. Before his visit, the students worked with elementary curriculum consultant Nomi Rosen to understand the Gullah Geechee culture against the tapestry of the African American experience in America from the 16th century to the present.
Musicians head to all-state winter conference
Six Baldwin High School students have been selected to perform at the state School Music Association’s All State Winter Conference in Rochester, Dec. 3 through 6.
They are: Barak Isaac, alto saxophone, for the Wind Ensemble; Shirajh Mullen, trumpet, and Phillip Orselli, trombone, for Symphonic Band, and Michaela Barnett, alto II, Daelynn Jorif, alto I, and Catherine Sweeney, soprano II, for Mixed Chorus. Two alternate positions were Daelynn Jorif, jazz soprano, and Danielle Davis, cello. The Baldwin students are among only approximately 900 students selected for NYSSMA Winter Conference statewide.
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