S'Cool Sounds Partners With Breaking Ground
This summer brought a renewed partnership with Breaking Ground, an exceptional organization whose mission is to strengthen individuals, families and communities by developing and sustaining supportive and affordable housing as well as programs for homeless and other vulnerable New Yorkers. S'Cool Sounds (SCS) and Breaking Ground worked to build successful music programs in three supportive housing residences in 2018-2019, but sadly had to cut short the programming when the pandemic hit. We have been thrilled to recommence this important work at three locations this summer in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
Teaching Artist Kenneth Jiménez has been working with residents in the Bronx and East New York. Participants at both locations brought a great deal of musical experience to their classes, ranging from electric bass and saxophone to musical theater and music technology. Some participants even played professionally for a period of their lives.
As a result of Kenneth's ukulele program, both groups have mastered playing songs with multi-chord progressions while bringing their individual backgrounds and interests to the group. At the Hegeman building in East New York, a performance took place in August to celebrate their summer of music learning. SCS Teaching Artist Hery Paz even joined in on flute and saxophone to take some solos along with the ukulele band.
Following the performance, Cynthia Paul of Breaking Ground shared: "Initially, participants at the Hegeman were unsure about joining the group and participating in the music program. Over time, however, Kenneth and our tenants built a close-knit community that has grown and flourished. A core group of six tenants showed up consistently and making music together served as an emotional outlet for many. Music became a means for them to express themselves, and with encouragement to maintain a record of their experiences, each person is able look back and see how far they’ve come."
Students now have skills to continue playing the ukulele well into the future. In the Bronx, one student plans to bring the ukulele to his church and become a part of his community band once the program is over.
Kenneth remarked, "Overall, the most valuable thing I take from this program is the capacity that music has had to help individuals connect with each other, and to see how it’s worked as a healing tool for all of us at different points of our lives."
All of the above photos provided courtesy of Breaking Ground
NEWSFLASH FROM KENYA
Earlier this month, the Center of Hope Primary School Recorder Ensemble won first prize at the 2024 Kenya National Music Festival! This follows a very successful program-building visit in early July with US-based S'Cool Sounds staff. Congratulations to both students and teachers!
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Check out Teaching Artist Kenneth Jiménez performing "amalgamas, caminos" on double bass!
