The Jazz Drama Program at the Louis Armstrong Middle School presents: HEAR MY VOICE, a jazz musical. Book and score by jazz composer Eli Yamin and playwright Clifford Carlson. Performed by professionally trained students at the nationally recognized middle school right in Satchmo's backyard. Performances are scheduled for June 1ST, 2ND during the school day and Saturday, June 3rd at 7 PM for the general public. All performances and rehearsals take place at: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL
32-02 JUNCTION BLVD.
EAST ELMHURST, NY 11369
718-335-7500 In rehearsal since early March, a montage of professional artists have descended on the unique Middle School in the heart of Louis Armstrong's old neighborhood to lend their expertise and enthusiasm to student performers. Returning artists, opera singer Jermaine Smith of Opera Theater of St. Louis and jazz singer/songwriter Kate McGarry mentor children. As performers move into their final week of rehearsal, jazz bassist Fred Berman leads his middle school jazz orchestra and prepares to play the shows as he has done for six consecutive years. Middle School students and a cadre of high school interns gain valuable artistic and technical skills from professional choreographer Shireen Dickson, a member of the Dianne McIntryre Dance Company, and set designer Sarah Edkins of Tada. The Jazz Drama Program is a newly formed non-profit entity designed to instill a love of jazz music and culture in young people by meshing musical theater with original jazz music composed by its founder, jazz pianist and educator Eli Yamin. Hear My Voice is the fifth original musical in the program's repertoire of stories that have been created by Mr. Yamin and playwright Clifford Carlson. Every year since 1998 the team has produced original musicals for the ethnically diverse student population of the magnet school as well as other public schools, arts venues and university classes. Their first production, When Malindy Swings was broadcast nation-wide on NPR's JazzSet with Branford Marsalis. Jazz Times Magazine has called the Jazz Drama Program, “The hippest move in secondary education, ever!" Hear My Voice expresses the views of middle school children on issues ranging from friends, relationships and drugs, to teachers and parents. A quick tell of the story sees a young girl dancing her way through the audience. She searches for the illusive butterfly of intuition and leads the cast into the first ensemble song. Growin' Up, the opening number, introduces us to the world of the young adult. Family chores, physical changes and intellectual challenges are some of the numerous trials endured by modern children as they battle their way through that age old dilemma: How can I be a part of a group and still retain my individuality? A young crusader for children's civil rights has no problem expressing his outrage at the denial of basic constitutional freedoms for young people in his solo, Free For All. Hear My Voice, the concluding piece, speaks to the future. We all have a message and a voice that deserves to be heard. Contact the Jazz Drama Program as they prepare this groundbreaking work. Public and press inquiries to [email protected]. (212) 569-3141.
32-02 JUNCTION BLVD.
EAST ELMHURST, NY 11369
718-335-7500 In rehearsal since early March, a montage of professional artists have descended on the unique Middle School in the heart of Louis Armstrong's old neighborhood to lend their expertise and enthusiasm to student performers. Returning artists, opera singer Jermaine Smith of Opera Theater of St. Louis and jazz singer/songwriter Kate McGarry mentor children. As performers move into their final week of rehearsal, jazz bassist Fred Berman leads his middle school jazz orchestra and prepares to play the shows as he has done for six consecutive years. Middle School students and a cadre of high school interns gain valuable artistic and technical skills from professional choreographer Shireen Dickson, a member of the Dianne McIntryre Dance Company, and set designer Sarah Edkins of Tada. The Jazz Drama Program is a newly formed non-profit entity designed to instill a love of jazz music and culture in young people by meshing musical theater with original jazz music composed by its founder, jazz pianist and educator Eli Yamin. Hear My Voice is the fifth original musical in the program's repertoire of stories that have been created by Mr. Yamin and playwright Clifford Carlson. Every year since 1998 the team has produced original musicals for the ethnically diverse student population of the magnet school as well as other public schools, arts venues and university classes. Their first production, When Malindy Swings was broadcast nation-wide on NPR's JazzSet with Branford Marsalis. Jazz Times Magazine has called the Jazz Drama Program, “The hippest move in secondary education, ever!" Hear My Voice expresses the views of middle school children on issues ranging from friends, relationships and drugs, to teachers and parents. A quick tell of the story sees a young girl dancing her way through the audience. She searches for the illusive butterfly of intuition and leads the cast into the first ensemble song. Growin' Up, the opening number, introduces us to the world of the young adult. Family chores, physical changes and intellectual challenges are some of the numerous trials endured by modern children as they battle their way through that age old dilemma: How can I be a part of a group and still retain my individuality? A young crusader for children's civil rights has no problem expressing his outrage at the denial of basic constitutional freedoms for young people in his solo, Free For All. Hear My Voice, the concluding piece, speaks to the future. We all have a message and a voice that deserves to be heard. Contact the Jazz Drama Program as they prepare this groundbreaking work. Public and press inquiries to [email protected]. (212) 569-3141.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
