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>>Pearl Campbell: When you walk in the room it was like what? [Singing]
>>Robb Janov: The burst through the door. They can't wait to learn. [Singing]
>>Campbell: You don't see all these weird posters and cool instruments around a regular
class room. So that's why I was like 'is this really school?' [Singing]
>>Katelin Jackson: I love this class. It is fun. I never thought I could just stand up
there and play in front of people. >>Tori Stuckey: It wasn't normal...[Singing]...It
was like 'wow I didn't know that this could like ever happen.'
>>Janov: I'm going to count you in with this very annoying cowbell...[music]... Thirty
kids playing on rock instruments is a sight to see, first of all, but they are eager.
They can't wait to just pick up the instruments and start playing and exploring. There is
a notion in our society that certain people can be musicians and certain people can't.
I think that's ridiculous. I think everyone can play music... [music]... and that's the
whole idea behind rock and rhythm band. I want to provide music for any and every kid,
even if they have never played and instrument, never took a lesson.
>>Jackson you can't believe that your in it. You always see people doing it and wonder
how they are doing it. When your actually doing it your like its not that bad.
>>Janov: Most of the kids in rock and rhythm band have never played music before. So the
first thing I tell them is 'we can do this, you can play music, ya.' I almost look baffled
at their idea that they cannot do it...[music]...I think the key is to create and environment
where they feel safe. So they know that they can fall down and make some mistakes. No problem
get back up, try it again. >>Campbell: when we first started I was worried.
I was like how can I play these instruments? >>Selene Rodriguez: I was terrified to play
in front of people. >>Campbell: How am I going to do these songs?
What if I am just terrible? >>Jackson: The first time is obviously its
terrible, but your going to get the hang of it and your confidence will build up and build
up. >>Rodriguez: When you first get a part in
a song and learn how to exactly it is supposed to be done you feel so happy. It's like oh
my God. >>Campbell: But now I think wow its really
not that scary or that hard you just have to focus. So my perspective has changed a
lot. >>Rodriguez: It helped me realize that I can
do this. I can stand in front of a crowd and show what I can do.\e
[Music/Singing] >>Stuckey: I know every word of every song
on my phone. I'd say I have 220 songs. >>Janov: There is 88% of the kids who don't
chose do music lessons. That's most of the kids but they love music.
>>Jackson: Its not all Beethoven in here. >>Stuckey: Music is music. Love it for what
it is whether or not its Beethoven or Bon Jovi. I didn't really find music, it found
me in a way. Once I got to start playing and actually listening, I got to hear what music
was all about. Like a song, it's a story. >>Jackson: We all have that one song, that
when we hear it we go 'oh my gosh, I can relate so much to that song.' Its just one of those
things where it is easily relatable because other people have been through the same thing
and you feel like you are not alone and you've been through some things. When you hear it
you go oh ok that kind of makes me feel better. [Music/Singing]
>>Janov: These are the kids who would not chose to be in traditional music classes.
>> Stuckey: You get to try different things maybe something that you would never try but
your trying it now. And it also makes it easier for you to learn because you want to learn.
[Music/Singing] >>Janov: I pride myself that the kids in rock
and rhythm band come from every background; socioeconomic, cultural, academic background
and they are all in there playing together. In order to capture there attention we need
to make school match them. Right now school does not match kids, at least these kids,
especially at risk kids. It is irrelevant to them.
>>Rodriguez: I was really shy I didn't want to talk to anybody. I was kind of a loner.
And when I started this class I was more confidant. Even my parents noticed that I was more outgoing.
>>Janov: For a lot of kids this is there success in school.
>>Campbell: It changes my perspective because I looked at school as a boring place and now
I look at it as a place where I can have fun but also get work done. You learn something
about yourself. Well maybe if I try and if I am not so unenthusiastic about it then I
can get it done. [Music/Singing]
>>Janov: They are failing most of their classes and not doing well, or even if they are doing
well they are disengaged. They are disconnected. And so I am hoping that creating this environment
and giving them a chance to succeed at something that they love can start changing their perspective
of themselves. >>Campbell: I discovered that I can actually
play instruments, and if you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything. It's a good feeling
>>Janov: I think we are becoming obsessed with objectives and goals and standardized
testing. I understand why we are obsessed with that we want to see outcomes. But while
we are focused so intently on this objective we miss amazing opportunities to engage with
kids and connect with them. Help them feel like what they have to say and what they do
matters. >>Stuckey: Mr. Janov he lets you find your
voice in this classroom. He lets you find who you are.
>>Campbell: The thing about this class is you can play what you want. You can like what
music you want and no one is going to judge you for it.
>>Janov: So I ask the kids I want to find out what would make you want to be here? What
would be exciting to you? And certainly having electric guitars and keyboards, having a rock
band is very engaging for the kids. But what I discovered was a much more compelling reason
why these kids, even though they are crazy about music, weren't choosing music is school
and a lot of them were feeling disconnected or unsuccessful and that is the culture of
the classroom. So I set out to create a different kind of culture. The kids have a voice, they
get to help pick songs, they get to switch instruments and explore the whole room.
>>Stuckey: You get to discover what you are good at, what your bad at, what you like,
what you love. You discover your strengths and weaknesses.
>>Campbell: You get to try different things maybe something that you'd never try but your
trying it now. And it also makes it easier for you to learn because you want to learn.
>>Janov: Through creating this program I've learned that the school system is going this
way and the kids in our society are going this way, and we are loosing them. I suggest
a much more radical approach to school. Lets expand what it means to playing music in school.
Lets expand what it means to be educated. Testing objectives and bench marks if you
focus so intensely on those then your going to miss all this wonderful stuff going on
around you. There are so many learning opportunities that we miss because we are obsessed with
numbers and stats. We have to get them ready for the standardized tests. We have to meet
all these objectives. Meanwhile these kids are dying. I see them. You can see it in their
eyes everyday. There sitting there but inside they are fading away.
[Music/Singing] >>Campbell: Performing for the concert I was
really well prepared for it. I felt confidant because Mr. Janov prepared us for it. Even
if I wasn't doing as well as I'd hoped to or as well as I though I would, if I was having
fun then the audience would have fun to. >>Janov: And once they see that they can play
music, and once they experience being in a rock band and it sounds good they are hooked.
>>Campbell: When I finished the concert it was really good and I'm so glad all of that
hard work paid off. You feel accomplished and really proud of yourself. When people
come to watch you your like 'oh ya that was me, I played this song.'
>>Jackson: You don't even think that you can try singing but finding out that you can do
it, even if your not amazing or professional you can still do it. It doesn't matter who
you are or how you do it you can do it. >>Campbell: Its really been fun and game changing.
>>Janov: I find that the more I talk about rock and rhythm band the less I talk about
music and the more I talk about helping kids create a life for themselves. Help kids develop
confidence and work together as a team, problem solve, feel like they have a voice in the
world. >>Campbell: I think you do learn a lot in
this class and even if it is not academic its about yourself and about setting goals
and accomplishing them. >>Rodriguez: When I was younger I didn't know
what it was I wanted to do, and then when I got into this class I felt like I understood
who I was more. I knew that I was a person who loved music.
>>Stuckey: I feel really proud of myself because we always do an amazing job in here because
we practice so hard. I am proud of all my classmates and everybody who played.
>>Campbell: Team work and interact with people and how to play instruments. I think your
also learning that if you put your mind to something, and if you really want to do that
you can accomplish it. If there is a will there is a way. I really learned that in this
class.