Master Poets Recording Album of Original Songs and Poems

09 Aug 2011, 12:03 AM by keith, Master Poets

Urban Arts Partnership's Master Poets program is a collection of UAP's most dedicated poets, lyricists and songwriters.  Throughout the year they have committed themselves to using their voices to raise awareness about issues in their community and to advocate for change not only in their own lives, but in the greater world beyond.  Over a 3-week intensive summer session held at Dixon Place Theater  in the L.E.S., the Master Poets have been working to record a full-length album comprised of both original poems and songs.  The program also worked in partnership with The Hip Hop Re:Education Project to give these young artists the opportunity to critically consider the specific crafts of writing, recording and performance.  Recently, students visited The Hook Studio in Brooklyn to work on their recordings, and were joined by UAP Artistic Board member and hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch.  Students had the opportunity to work with Pharoahe in the studio, as well as to discuss his career, inspirations and creative process.      

The final showcase exhibition, "The Summer Sessions," will be held Thursday, August 11 from 4pm - 7pm at the Dixon Place Theater in The Lounge.  This event is open to the public and free!  Please come out and support these future ARTivists!  You will not be dissappointed!

“We’re working on original individual pieces- raps, songs or poems.  We’re now working on recording, either acapella or to a beat.  We write about things like love, family, relationships, being hurt, and things that we try to change or fight against.  It’s great to be able to have the experience in a real studio to record with a well-known MC.  I’m excited to be a student in the Master Poets class.” – Genesis, 12th grade 

“We’re making an album and we will also perform later this month.  I chose to do a poem for my piece.  Recording is the hardest part for me, because I have a hard time hearing the sound of my own voice.  Being in the studio has helped me get comfortable and get over being nervous.  I liked when we did the doubling (vocal overdubbing).  It makes the sound stronger so the audience can hear it and respond to the emotion more.  It helps you to pinpoint the most important parts of your piece.  I like to write about what’s going on- how the world has changed, how things have gotten better and not only worse.  I like to write about how struggles and hardships make things better.  This is the first time I’ve really done poetry.  I used to write, but I thought it sucked.  The class really helped me.  Poetry is a good way to get your thoughts and emotions out, and I think it’s beneficial for a lot of teens.” – Petra, 11th grade

“I always wrote rhymes and verses, and I wanted to learn more about how to take it further and add on to what I’ve been doing.  I write about whatever comes to mind.  I get ideas when I’m on the train, or at home or watching TV, and then I write it down.  I want to have a voice, and to have the opportunity to voice emotions through my rhymes.  It’s surreal to be in the studio and see how real artists create.” – Steven, 12th grade

Spoken Word Program at Choir Academy of Harlem

04 Mar 2011, 11:53 AM by keith, High School

The students in the poetry and spoken word after school program at Choir Academy of Harlem have been working hard on preparing their original work for performance.  They wrote poems on topics of their choosing and have been rehearsing for one another to strengthen their performance skills.  Led by teaching artist Seren Brevigleiri, the students have developed into confident performers with the courage to share their powerful and poignant words.

Here's a video of Derrick and Raven rehearsing their collaborative piece: 

“We’re working on a group performance for the show. We wanted to put our creative minds together and see where it took us. We thought about the things around us and how every New Year, things are said, but nothing really changes. Being in the poetry club and seeing other people perform made me want to write in a way that was more performance-based.” – Derrick

“I worked hard on it. I feel like I can express how I feel about the world but in a subliminal way. I like showing people that I have a different state of mind. I like performing because it shows people who I really am. I like seeing words connect and tell a story, and make meaning.” – Raven

Here's Ashley rehearsing her solo piece:

“The piece I created is an emotional piece because it’s about what’s going on. A lot of people are going through what I went through. People see me smile, but I wanted to show the other side. I used to always write about how I feel, then rip it up. Poetry class helped me want to share it.” - Ashley

The students attended the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals event in February and were inspired by the performances by their fellow young people.

Students outside the theater following the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals

Derrick and Raven also performed their piece at Choir Academy of Harlem this week as part of a concert celebrating Black History Month.  They closed out the show to thunderous applause from the audience, and we can't wait to see what they create next!

PS 7 Photo Essays Part II!

09 Mar 2009, 6:56 PM by caitlinmeissner, Middle School

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... And now we get serious!

Ok, folks, we're back. After our goofy "practice" photo essays, the students are ready to declare their messages to the world! Here is our process:
 

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1) ME-WEBS!

Students created their own personal "me-webs," a Ms. Caitlin creation that colorfully explores what we are each care about in the world, from homeless issues to... candy. (I mean, who doesn't like candy?) Check out the awesome explorations below!

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2) POEMS

As an exercise in exploring these topics, students wrote poems. Basing their work off of Barbara Ras's brilliant poem, "You Can't Have It All," students were asked to write their own version and must include each item on their list. Here are a few examples. I was blown away!

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You Can't Have It All
by Pearl Baxter

but you can snuggle up with some hot chocolate
you can't have it all
but you can have a good friend to talk to
you can't have it all
but you can have a heart to keep you moving forward
you can't have it all
but you can have music to match your mood
you can't have it all
but you can have a significant other to turn to
you can't have it all
but you can have a sour candy to get you through it
you can't have it all
but you can have a mother's shoulder to cry on
you can't have it all
but you can have an A on a test to get a reward
you can't have it all
but you can have a school full of friends to tell jokes to
you can't have it all
but you can have a favorite animal to talk to
you can't have it all
but you can have a past relative relive the last
moments you spent together
you can't have it all
but you can have food to fill you up
you can't have it all
but you can have a warm slice of pizza with your family

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You Can't Have It All
by Katiria Altruz

But you can have your family
after a bad day at school
you can have love
when you feel left alone
you can have art
to show how you feel
you can have a freedom of speech
when you think something is wrong
you can have music
to make you feel better
you can have world peace
if you speak up
you can have a God if you believe
and go to church
you can have an elder
like your grandmother or grandfather
right next to you when you're going to sleep
you can have global warming
if you don't help the earth
you can have pizza when you want
something tasty and good

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You Can't Have It All
by Esther Gonzales

but you can have someone to protect you
you can hear classical music and relax
you can have the delicious strawberry ice cream melting in your mouth
you can have the freedom of going to your church and praising your God
you can have a school in which you can learn many subjects
you can have lots of food that fills your tummy
you can have a pack of M&M's and taste and share
you can have good health and watch what you eat
you can have delicious pizza from the shop on the corner
you can have a father and a mother
in which to protect you and love you
you can have lots of love in which to give
you can have a home in which to sleep and live in
you can have a career in which to learn and know from

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3) GROUP WEBS

In two groups, the students created a giant web of all of their cares and concerns. From these lists, two groups chose a handful of topics they wanted to focus on in the creation of their next set of photo essays.

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4) HAIKUS

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In groups, students studied the haiku form and looked at the work of famous haiku poets, such as Basho. Of course, we wrote our own! Here are a few. We don't want to give it ALL away just yet!

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The world is a TV
it's like a messed up channel
when will the world change?
- Katiria Altruz

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I beg in the streets
I cry all I want is bread
a few cents is good
- Esther Gonzales and Pearl Buckman

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Some people love cash
family matters to us
what matters to you
-- Quetzy Escobar and Cathy Campos

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5) FINAL PROJECT

We're not ready to show you yet, so stay tuned! But I will reveal that they are artful photo essays based off of A Softer World's work. Example posted below. (Don't tell them, but I think ours are better.)

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Check back next week!