March 28, 2008

As fifteen Gwynedd-Mercy College students arrived with boxes of supplies and Professor

Carol Evans called out directions, it seemed like an army of help had descended on Create! Achievement, BuildaBridge's small arts based afterschool program.  Anticipation began to build as the student army moved into action and our children watched from their snack room.  Signs went up on doors, certain supplies went in specific rooms, and pairs of students were seen going this way and that.

The GMC students formed a large circle downstairs and we were asked to join them.  As we entered the room the children were cautious and hesitant, but eventually found the empty chairs strategically placed throughout the circle.  Our often rambunctious and noisy children were quiet as Mrs Evans explained the day's event and within minutes the children had been assigned a pair of students.  They were lead to the different rooms where they found lots of colorful supplies and were given instructions on how to make their very own musical instruments.  The children were immediately engaged and slowly began to open up and make new friends.  Children who are often challenging and even defiant were now seen bright faced and cooperating.  A buzz of creative production marked the air and glittering drums, guitars, shakers, rain sticks, and kazoos began stacking up.  The crew only stopped for a pretzel break and watched a clip from a documentary on the percussion performing group, "STOMP," a group that uses anything to make beats, their feet, hands, buckets, bathtubs, wheels, etc.  

Newly inspired, the children were sent back to compose a piece of percussion music.  A fresh wave of sounds began floating out of the different rooms.  Beats were placed together and arranged with careful consideration, but a call was made and the groups marched back downstairs with eager delight… the word had gotten out – the event was going to be video taped.  One by one the three groups performed with pride and excitement, but they couldn't help but ask, "Will we be seen all around the world?  Will they see us in Japan?"…(you tell me!...  We told them, "quite possibly!")