Stars and Heroes Does 2Read + 2Write = 4Music
STARS AND HEROES DOES 2READ + 2WRITE = 4MUSIC
Training: February 6 - April 3, 2006; Gary Gore Elementary; Mel Watkin, Instructor
Exhibition SITE #1: PPRC Photography Project Gallery
May 2 - September 26, 2006
Exhibition SITE #2: William D. Tharp Civic Center
May 9 - September 26, 2006
2Read + 2Write = 4Music was a class offered to elementary students as part of Stars and Heroes of the 21st Century, the Jennings School District's academic and life skills after school program. Stars and Heroes' mission is to create a community of students, parents, teachers, businesses, and faith-based organizations who are dedicated to the success of all children. Although Stars & Heroes is community wide, this Photography Project focused on Gary Gore Elementary School, whose site coordinator Natalie Hill managed an extensive list of activities: homework mentoring from "A" students at Jennings High School; story quilting, drama, and dance classes; classes with Father's Support Group; and even Sister Cheryl's Sugar and Spice, a class on etiquette, health and hygiene. Another class offered to students was Darron Nelson's 2Read+ 2Write=4Music, which taught students rap lyric writing and performing techniques as a means to show leadership and accountability. Over a full school year, Nelson guided students through the process of writing their own lyrics, adding melody and a beat, rehearsing their songs and recording them in a professional sound studio where a CD was compiled and reproduced. At the end of the year, he had the students add choreography and costuming to their performances that were presented to a packed audience at the Jennings community auditorium.
Project training taught 2Read+2Write=4Music students to use photography to document their yearlong musical journey while also exploring the ways photography is used by the music industry. We looked at the work of photographer Anthony Barboza, whose blurred photographs of the World Saxaphone Quartet show the energy and drive of musicians performing on stage. Emulating the professional needs of musicians we also produced head shots, group photos and imaginary CD covers.
--Mel Watkin, Instructor and Director
PPRC Photography Project
PARTICIPANTS:
Keisha Avery
Shaunetta Borders
Raven Desota
Daniesha Graham
Christal Hilliard
Johnna Huddleston
Amber McCommons
Eliza Payne
Toneisha Pearson
Sonja Sanders
Lauren Taylor
Lawrence White
Shelby Williams
Erin Wooten
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
Stars and Heroes of the 21st Century
Jennings School District
2Read + 2 Write = 4 Music
Gary Gore Elementary School
William D. Tharp Civic Center, Jennings