P.S. 244
Grade 5
Toshi Reagon is a musical artist, who sings songs from the Civil Rights Movement that
are celebrative, progressive and uplifting. During her concert at Town Hall in celebration
of Black History Month, she performed many songs that taught the audience about
Black history-our present and our future. The theme of her concert was “Where We
Come From, Where We Are, and Where We Are Going.”
Toshi performed three songs during her concert. They were Walking in Your Footsteps,
Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around, and Juba. Before each performance she told
the audience what the song meant. In addition Toshi encouraged the audience to sing
along. Her songs taught us about the hopes and difficulties of our ancestors. She spoke
about how difficult it was for the Civil Rights leaders to fight for what they believed was
right and just. I learned that the people used music to help express emotions about what
they were going through and to help them to overcome their hard times. For example
the lyrics in the song, Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around, teaches us that our leaders
were determined to continue to fight for what they believed despite the hard times that
they faced.
Toshi’ songs were educational and inspirational as well. They taught me that I can feel
good about myself, even when times are hard and people try to put me down. I CAN
be a leader and I CAN make a positive difference in my life and in the life our others.
Finally Toshi’s songs have taught me to set goals for my future. I have learned these
lessons and will do every thing that I can do to make sure I make a difference in the
world. Just like my ancestors; I can achieve!
IS 96
Grade 6
Music plays an important role in our lives. Music shows a lot to our world. It’s like a new
language to some people. Some people might think that music is loud and obnoxious,
but to other people it’s like culture, tradition, religion and fun for everyone. Music is very
important…but how in other forms?
Music is the art of producing pleasing or expressive combinations of tones and notes especially
with a melody, rhythm and harmony. Music in Africa is a blessing to them. They sing and dance
in peace and harmony. Some of the African songs tell a story in life. It also expresses their true
feelings.
Native American culture also “supports” music in their customs. Music in their form tells of
upcoming ceremonies, new ideas, amusing parties and even stories, much like the African
Americans. They also show their main points in there song or dance too.
Many countries all over the world love music in many different ways. For instance, some
Russian people dance with a circle of people together doing different dances. It also forms their
way of happiness and love. Italian people express themselves in Opera, Sanera dance and
other ways of dancing and singing. America also has several music ways too.
Modern day Americans and Russians express their music in other ways then their old days.
Music forms such as hip hop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, pop, country and disco. These
countries are many alike.
When we went to the Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely concert we learned a lot from their concert.
Their other title name was called the Freedom Singers. They sing songs about segregation and
civil rights to show us that many Africans had to suffer from all those exclusion acts, racism an
d equality rights to get what they deserve. They sing to show as their feelings of the old times.
They show us that they sung many type of these songs such as, rock, country, jazz, and the
blues.
I couldn’t possibly live without music. To me, I wouldn’t be myself without music. If the world
was without music, it would be a boring, plain, uncool world. Whenever I hear my favorite songs
or new songs that I like, I just let my feelings loose and groove right through me. My favorite
music styles are rock, hip hop, pop and disco. None of these types of music, I would be a
boring, weird person.
To wrap it all up, basically music is a vital and very targeted topic for all people to enjoy, without
music, the world would be the most borringest planet in the universe. There would be no fun or
entertainment here. We must keep our music culture alive or we will all be boring and plain.
Let’s keep this custom going!
PS 16Q
Grade 3
My class went on a trip to Town Hall to see Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely’s performance.
BIGLovely is a band. The main purpose of the trip was to learn about segregation and times of
slavery. The songs were songs that slaves used to communicate.
My favorite part of the show was how I learned things in FUN ways! That’s because it gave me
facts and fun education. For example we learned things in form of song. I learned that slaves
used coded songs to say things they did not want their masters (owners) to hear.
This concert reminds me of the struggles of black people and the power and bravery of Martin
Luther King Jr.. Slaves were kidnapped from Africa into the south of the United States of
America. The north of America thought slavery was wrong.
Slavery lasted 400 years! During the Civil War, the South wanted to become it’s own country
called the Confederate States of America. Then, when the war was almost over, the South
was losing the war! Slavery ended, but segregation was still there. Segregation is when you’re
divided by your color, race, or religion. Then, Martin Luther King Jr. fought with non-violence
in the 1960’s. Rosa Parks also started a boycott (when a group agrees they are going to do
something until it changes) with the bus.
I recommend this show to everyone because it was great and educational. I rate this concert:
5 stars out of 5.
Remember that it does not matter what color, race, or religion you are, we should all be treated
equally and fairly.