Monday, February 3, 2025

Side By Side

 

It takes a long time to hug 50 people one at a time. But having done so to close the 2-day course in Sao Paulo, I can testify that it was the right thing to do. Just before that, we had gathered around the piano and at the suggestion of one of the students, sang the old Jazz Standard Side By Side.  I have a repertoire of openers and closers for my courses, but this was the first time I ever ended the course like this. I did my best to feed them the English lines while singing, having had no time to write them on the board. Before singing, I explained (with my translator) the meaning of the words. With a shaky voice and trickling tears, I told them that amidst all our troubles and sorrows, all kinds of weather and the sky falling on our heads, we have no choice but to "travel along, singing our song, side by side." It’s the only way I know how to survive the shitstorm in my country and a strategy I’ve cultivated for the 45 years at my school, through good times and bad. 

 

The suggestion to sing the song surely came from what happened just before that— the showing of The Secret Song film with Portuguese sub-titles. I believe I’ve seen this film with some 20 different audiences, but this was the first time it received a standing ovation. Again, no surprise that these Brazilian folks value the work, the art, the community feeling, the love for children, between children, between fellow teachers teaching the children. That the film reveals. Again, extra special because alum SF Student Lydia was there, taking her own walk back into her time at school that she clearly values so much. 

 

And before that? A beautiful small-group improvised movement activity, five fabulous pieces from five continents using the same five notes, some powerful Body Music in honor of International Body Music Day and a spontaneous Brazilian music jam session during the break. This has happened so much in these courses, folks looking for every opportunity to make music, whether in the formal class or the informal free time. This rarely happens at American Orff Conferences and in retrospect, it’s weird that we music teachers don’t take time to make music outside the class. 

 

So now back in Rio, a hotel fronting the beachfront, which should be a delicious invitation to get out and take it all in. But first I had to complete the notes to close out the Sao Paulo course, keep working on the Hong Kong visa and book a flight, think about this afternoon’s workshop with eight people in an International British School. Work is a pleasure and pleasure is a pleasure, but I have to work at remembering to leave time for the sheer pleasure. Maybe tomorrow?  

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