School Day Live THE RHYTHM & BLUES REVUE WITH THE MICHAEL-DAVID BAND Friday, May 3, 2019 11:30 a.m.
TEACHER’S GUIDE
The Apollo Theater Education Program is pleased to present The Rhythm & Blues Revue with the Michael-David Band, as part of our 2018/19 School Day Live season.
Through, The Rhythm & Blues Revue will be comprised of “road trip” that will take students to different cities around the country in order to understand the historical context of Rhythm &Blues and how the music reflected societal, political, and cultural changes in America. Beginning with the birth of Rhythm & Blues in the 1940s, we will travel through the decades of the 20th century arriving to the present day and the lasting influence of Rhythm & Blues on contemporary performers.
This interactive performance will also show how songs are created and include opportunities for audience participation. Additionally, students will learn that:
o Rhythm & Blues is an art form rooted in the Gospel and Blues traditions; o Songs are stories that reflect personal and social concerns; o Music combines personalized vocal delivery with arranged accompaniment; and o Rhythm & Blues is a musical genre that continues to influence music worldwide.
As with the Great Migrations of Black people from the more rural areas of the American south to cities in the north, east and western parts of the U.S., the story of Rhythm & Blues is one of movement. The sound of Rhythm & Blues has been influenced as much by the regional location of its creators and performers as by its origins in Gospel music, Jazz and the Blues.
The Rhythm and Blues Student Study Guide provides essential information on the history of Rhythm & Blues and can also be used as a pre- and post-performance tool. The Guide includes links to several online videos that will provide you and your students with a better idea of the performers and performance styles discussed in the Guide and in the show.
The Student Study Guide can be used pre- or post-performance to connect students to American history and the ways in which Rhythm & Blues has been used to express a range of ideas. The information can also be applied to the English Language Arts, a Social Studies, and/or Arts curriculum.
A suggested lesson follows which includes essential questions, Common Core Learning Standards and Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts benchmarks.
APOLLO THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM |253 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027|(212)531-5363 |APOLLOTHEATER.ORG
The Apollo has a long and storied history with Rhythm & Blues which dates back to the late 1940s. The original Rhythm & Blues Revue provided a very successful show format for the Apollo in the 1950s and 1960s. (Take a look at the film, Rhythm & Blues Revue, which was inspired by the Apollo’s revue format and features performers who frequently appeared on the Apollo stage during this period.)
For further context on this musical genre, take a look at our String Stories study guide which discusses the history of stringed instruments in the creation of the Blues as well as regional influences on the music.
About the Michael-David Band Singer and actor Michael-David Gordon is a dynamic entertainer who explores pop and R&B drawing on his experience with the Temptations, as an actor with the Irondale Ensemble Project, and as a featured vocalist with several NY groups. With a love of music that connects with audiences anywhere, he has wowed crowds from NYC’s subway stations to St. Petersburg, Russia.
Band Members:
Michael-David Gordon, vocals Hollis Headrick, drums Adam Armstrong, bass Ilya Lushtak, guitar Rob Henke, trumpet Felicia Renae, vocals Irwin Hall, tenor sax Logan Evan Thomas, piano/keyboards
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you at the world famous Apollo on May 3rd.
Enjoy the show!
APOLLO THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM |253 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027|(212)531-5363 |APOLLOTHEATER.ORG
SUGGESTED LESSON: Rhythm & Blues Café During the performance on May 3rd, three songs will be presented which focus on how artists have related societal concerns through the genre of Rhythm & Blues in their songs. The songs are Love Train by the O’Jays, What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye and Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, by McFadden and Whitehead. The following lesson is adaptable across grade levels 3 – 12. Objective: Students will create an original song that reflects their feelings about a particular topic or issue. (DOK 4) Lesson Overview Students are encouraged to create a song about an issue, and to mimic the rhythm, tone, and emotions of the Rhythm & Blues songs they’ve heard. Students’ knowledge of the issues, situations, and emotions that inspire Rhythm & Blues will help them understand the feelings evoked in the performance by The Michael-David Band.
Essential Questions How do Rhythm & Blues artists relay messages about and make connections to societal events through their work?
How do song lyrics demonstrate the artists’ passions and interests?
In what ways do the song lyrics, tones, and emotions created through Rhythm & Blues music connect to poetry?
How do current events and occurrences in society connect to song lyrics?
Activities Do Now: 3-2-1 10 min. Ask students listen to and review the lyrics for one of the songs. Based on what they have heard and read, have them list topics they think helped inspire the song. Instruct students to turn and talk with a classmate to help one another narrow down the topics to two. Ask the students to narrow down the two topics to one that they are most passionate about.
Song Writing 15 min. Using the lyrics of “What’s Going On” and “Love Train” as a guide, ask students to create a song title and a few verses of a song that show how they feel about the topic they have chosen. Students should seek to mimic the rhythms presented and feelings evoked in the songs they’ve heard during the week. Encourage any students who would like to share out their songs.
Main Activity: Rhythm & Blues Cafe 20 min. Ask students to share their songs with the class. Students can sing their songs, recite their songs in a poetic style, or present it in any way they feel comfortable. As each student presents their song, ask other students to write down what topics and emotions are illustrated in the songs that are presented.
APOLLO THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM |253 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027|(212)531-5363 |APOLLOTHEATER.ORG
Common Core Learning Standards:
SL-1(a) Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. L-1 Demonstrate usage of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. SS Participate in activities that focus on a classroom, school, community, state, or national issue or problem.
Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Music: Strands
III. Making Connections By investigating historical, social, and cultural contexts, and by exploring common themes and principles connecting music with other disciplines, students enrich their creative work and understand the significance of music in the evolution of human thought and expression.
IV. Community and Cultural Resources Students broaden their perspective by working with professional artists and arts organizations that represent diverse cultural and personal approaches to music, and by seeing performances of widely varied music styles and genres. Active partnerships that combine school and local community resources with the full range of New York City’s music and cultural institutions create a fertile ground for students’ music learning and creativity.
APOLLO THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM |253 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027|(212)531-5363 |APOLLOTHEATER.ORG
RESOURCES
Love Train, The O’Jays, 1972 Written by: Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff Click to listen
People all over the world (everybody) Join hands (join) Start a love train, love train People all over the world (all the world, now) Join hands (love ride) Start a love train (love ride), love train
The next stop that we make will be soon Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too Don't you know that it's time to get on board And let this train keep on riding, riding on through Well, well
People all over the world (you don't need no money) Join hands (come on) Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on) People all over the world (Join in, ride this train) Join in (Ride this train, y'all) Start a love train (Come on, train), love train
All of you brothers over in Africa Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too Please don't miss this train at the station 'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
People all over the world (Sisters and brothers) Join hands (join, come on) Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on) People all over the world (Don't need no tickets) Join hands (come on, ride) Start a love train, love train Ride, let it ride Let it ride Let it ride People, ain't no war
People all over the world (on this train) Join in (ride the train) Start a love train, love train (ride the train, y'all)
APOLLO THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM |253 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027|(212)531-5363 |APOLLOTHEATER.ORG
What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye, 1971 Written by: Alfred W. Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo Benson Link to Lyrics Watch Marvin Gaye perform “What’s Going On” Read about it: Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, Lydia Hutchinson, Performing Songwriter Be Heard, March 31, 2014
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, McFadden and Whitehead, 1979 Written by: Jerry Allen Cohen, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead Link to Lyrics Click to listen
Ain't no stoppin' us now We're on the move Ain't no stoppin' us now We've got the groove
There's been so many things That's held us down But now it looks like Things are finally comin' around
I know we've got A long, long way to go And where we'll end up I don't know
But we won't let nothin' hold us back We're putting ourselves together We're polishing up our act
If you've ever been held down before I know you refuse to be held down anymore
Don't you let nothing, nothing Stand in your way I want y'all to listen, listen To every word I say, every word I say
Ain't no stoppin' us now We're on the move Ain't no stoppin' us now We've got the groove
APOLLO THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM |253 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027|(212)531-5363 |APOLLOTHEATER.ORG