The Musical Ripple Effect

Several weeks ago, I noticed some new visual art hanging in the dining hall. The first reading project for middle school grades culminates in the creation of posters to advertise books that students read over the summer. I was immediately struck by the uniqueness of each poster on the wall. Some took me back to my own middle school reading days (Where The Red Fern Grows), and others piqued my interest as a reader (All the Light We Cannot See). One poster caught my attention for a specific reason: the book was called Sing It! and it was about the life of Pete Seeger, who happens to be one of my favorite musicians. 

I noticed that sixth grader Caleb Butler had made the poster, so I asked him about the book. He assured me that it was "really good" and that I should definitely read it. I ordered the book, read it cover to cover, and couldn't stop thinking about it.

A few days later, I was talking with Heather Butler (4th grade teacher and Caleb's mom) about the book, and she informed me that she had reached out to the author, Meryl Danziger. TCS, with the help of Breakwater Books, was inviting Meryl to visit the school to share her story with our community. I couldn't believe it! Once Meryl's visit was confirmed, I contacted her and we began corresponding about how we might play some of Pete's songs together as part of her presentation. I also decided to devote some time during my music classes to share Pete Seeger songs with my students.

Hearing students sing classic songs like "This Land is Your Land" (a Woody Guthrie tune that Pete sang countless times), and "The Hammer Song" was such a fulfilling and positive musical experience for them, and for me.

Meeting Meryl was magical. Hearing her share stories about Pete Seeger and singing a few songs together was something I will never forget. We even had a special afternoon edition of WTCS, and students interviewed Meryl to find out more about her and the book, before her presentation after school. 

You can sense Meryl's genuine love of music and children the moment you meet her. Her knowledge of Pete Seeger, her willingness to share personal, heartfelt stories about Pete, and her honesty about the book writing process is inspiring. Through Meryl's visit, I not only learned more about Pete, but I also gained a new musical friend. I hope to visit Meryl at her school called Music House in New York at some point in the future.

Perhaps the most powerful connection I discovered through this process was between the student who chose to share this book with TCS, and the musician who inspired millions of people. Caleb's decision to read and share the book Sing It! was like dropping a single pebble into a pool of water. The "ripples" he created from his poster project led others to read this special book, which led our school to invite the author to share her story of Pete Seeger with us. Pete Seeger, a man who is known by millions but liked to think of himself as just a man with a banjo, created similar musical ripples throughout his life, just by singing songs and sharing his voice with others. Pete also had this to say about music education: "Singing with children in the schools has been the most rewarding experience of my life."

After experiences like this one, I truly cherish what I do here at TCS. Thank you to Caleb Butler, Heather Butler, Meryl Danziger, the TCS community, and Pete Seeger, for connecting us all through an inspiring love of reading and music!