4th Grade Program Practice Page
Welcome to the Practice Workspace for the 4th grade 2025 musical performance:
Welcome to the Practice Workspace for the 4th grade 2025 musical performance:
the SOUND of RESILIENCE
the SOUND of RESILIENCE
PLEASE LOOK FOR YOUR NAME ON THE LIST OF ROLES. PRACTICE YOUR PART! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
PLEASE LOOK FOR YOUR NAME ON THE LIST OF ROLES. PRACTICE YOUR PART! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
Mother Africa musicians and dancers (listed below by the song) will rehearse Tuesday Feb 11, and Thursday Feb 13 at 7:15 a.m.
Script: (announcers are in red, song lyrics in black, solo parts bolded in black)
Script: (announcers are in red, song lyrics in black, solo parts bolded in black)
1a EthanResilience: the dictionary defines it as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Humans celebrate resilience. It is in the DNA of every culture on the planet to cheer for the one who is beaten back by life, but still rises.
1b ParkerWe are here today to celebrate the music of African Americans. It is not just the artistic expression of a group of people. It is the sound of tough people rising from the ashes of hardship.
1c Quinn VIt is the sound of roses shooting roots into concrete.It is the sound of resilience.
1b ParkerWe are here today to celebrate the music of African Americans. It is not just the artistic expression of a group of people. It is the sound of tough people rising from the ashes of hardship.
1c Quinn VIt is the sound of roses shooting roots into concrete.It is the sound of resilience.
Poem: The Rose That Grew From Concrete - Tupac Shakur
Poem: The Rose That Grew From Concrete - Tupac Shakur
reader: Charlie
1e Gavin
The story of the sound that changed the earth started where the world started. On the Continent of Africa.
Song 1: Mother Africa
Ms. P. Musicians:
Bash - LD
Noah - LD
Emerie -
Eli - Djb
Hazel-Djb
Kyra-LD
Ms. G. Musicians:
Carter-LD
Gavin
Eli
Quinn-LBMet
Evelyn-BsMet
Hudson
Pablo
Ms. R. Musicians:
Lela-
Genevieve
Catherine
Eliza
Harrison
Noelle
Ms D. Musicians:
David-HD
Abe-HBXl
Sybil-Bongo
Journee-Shk
James-Contra
Aniela-Bongo
Ms. W. Musicians:
Isabella-LBXl
Liv
Regan
Nia-Cabasa
Break Beat (percussion)
A section Home... (Petree, Gammenthaler, Robertson) Africa (Deletto, Williams) Home of the pyramid - Africa Land of the Sun - Africa Speak to the animals - Africa Talk with the drum - Africa Birthplace of science - Africa Art and design - Africa Cradle of life - Africa Celebrate!
B section (all classes)Africa, Africa - Celebrate our mother AfricaAfrica, Africa - Celebrate our mother Africa
C section (all classes)Aa yo, Aa yo, Aa yo, Africa a a, Aa yo, Aa yo, Aa yo, Africa
B + C section (sing Africa - Petree, Gammenthaler)( sing Aa yo - Robertson, Deletto, Williams)
Break Beat (percussion)
Drums Only 16 Bars (drums) Dancers
Break Beat (percussion)
Xylos Only (percussion + call response) Home... (Robertson, Deletto) Africa (Petree, Gammenthaler, Robertson) Home of the pyramid - Africa Land of the Sun - Africa Speak to the animals - Africa Talk with the drum - Africa Birthplace of science - Africa Art and design - Africa Cradle of life - Africa Celebrate!
A + B + C section (Robertson does the whole chant by themselves)(sing Africa - Petree, Gammenthaler)( sing Aa yo - Deletto, Williams)
A + B + C section (Robertson does the whole chant by themselves)(sing Africa - Petree, Gammenthaler)( sing Aa yo - Deletto, Williams)
Break Beat Ending
A section Home... (Petree, Gammenthaler, Robertson) Africa (Deletto, Williams) Home of the pyramid - Africa Land of the Sun - Africa Speak to the animals - Africa Talk with the drum - Africa Birthplace of science - Africa Art and design - Africa Cradle of life - Africa Celebrate!
B section (all classes)Africa, Africa - Celebrate our mother AfricaAfrica, Africa - Celebrate our mother Africa
C section (all classes)Aa yo, Aa yo, Aa yo, Africa a a, Aa yo, Aa yo, Aa yo, Africa
B + C section (sing Africa - Petree, Gammenthaler)( sing Aa yo - Robertson, Deletto, Williams)
Break Beat (percussion)
Drums Only 16 Bars (drums) Dancers
Break Beat (percussion)
Xylos Only (percussion + call response) Home... (Robertson, Deletto) Africa (Petree, Gammenthaler, Robertson) Home of the pyramid - Africa Land of the Sun - Africa Speak to the animals - Africa Talk with the drum - Africa Birthplace of science - Africa Art and design - Africa Cradle of life - Africa Celebrate!
A + B + C section (Robertson does the whole chant by themselves)(sing Africa - Petree, Gammenthaler)( sing Aa yo - Deletto, Williams)
A + B + C section (Robertson does the whole chant by themselves)(sing Africa - Petree, Gammenthaler)( sing Aa yo - Deletto, Williams)
Break Beat Ending
2a MiracleAfrica, the cradle of civilizationThe place where man’s journey of meaning beganIt was from there greatness was discoveredAnd from there, greatness ran
2b CarterFirst to the east, into Asia it traveledThen to the north, into Europe it wentFinally, west, on a watery journeybecoming two American continents
2c EvelynBut when greatness returned home to AfricaShe came to make them slaves on plantationsShe came with chains for her distant cousinsto make them pick cotton, and build a young nation
2d EliThe history of the motherland was lost in the sea.The African cultures and rich history Stripped from them, like a rose, torn from it roots.replanted in Mississippi red clay like concrete
2e KySo they workedand they sangand sometimes they ran - to the north, to freedom.
2f SylviaFollow the Drinking Gourd was a work song withsecret instructions to look for the big dipper, and help fromPeg-Leg Joe, a conductor in the underground railroad.
2b CarterFirst to the east, into Asia it traveledThen to the north, into Europe it wentFinally, west, on a watery journeybecoming two American continents
2c EvelynBut when greatness returned home to AfricaShe came to make them slaves on plantationsShe came with chains for her distant cousinsto make them pick cotton, and build a young nation
2d EliThe history of the motherland was lost in the sea.The African cultures and rich history Stripped from them, like a rose, torn from it roots.replanted in Mississippi red clay like concrete
2e KySo they workedand they sangand sometimes they ran - to the north, to freedom.
2f SylviaFollow the Drinking Gourd was a work song withsecret instructions to look for the big dipper, and help fromPeg-Leg Joe, a conductor in the underground railroad.
Song 2: Follow the Drinking Gourd
soloists: Emauni (verse 1) London (verse 2)
Follow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
(soloist: Emauni)When the sun comes up and the first quail callsFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
(soloist: London)Now the riverbank will make a mighty good roadDead trees will show you the wayAnd the left foot, peg-foot travelin’ onjust you follow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
(soloist: Emauni)When the sun comes up and the first quail callsFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
Follow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
(soloist: London)Now the riverbank will make a mighty good roadDead trees will show you the wayAnd the left foot, peg-foot travelin’ onjust you follow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFollow the drinking gourdFor the old man is ‘a waitin’ for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the drinking gourd
3a NoelleAmerica’s pledge grew too loud to ignore.All men must be free, even if it means war
3b GigiThe civil war was fought to make slavery illegalbut once all were free, they were light years from equal
3c CatherineLife was hard for Africans in AmericaWithout the protection of police or the courts that other Americans had,they were picked on, and preyed upon, by people in the dominant culture
3d TiffanyBut they continued to workAnd instead of just complaining,They turned their troubles into an art form called THE BLUES.
3b GigiThe civil war was fought to make slavery illegalbut once all were free, they were light years from equal
3c CatherineLife was hard for Africans in AmericaWithout the protection of police or the courts that other Americans had,they were picked on, and preyed upon, by people in the dominant culture
3d TiffanyBut they continued to workAnd instead of just complaining,They turned their troubles into an art form called THE BLUES.
Song 3: The Waverly Belmont Blues
soloists: Anaiya, Owen, Gray, Natalie
Verse 1 - AnaiyaWoke up late one mornin' - had to run to schoolGot there and the sign on the door said - "It's Saturday, fool!"I ran all the way back home - but my key was locked insideThen it started raining on me - and my hairdo up and died!I got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
Verse 2 - OwenI did my math homework - got all the answers wrongMs. G tried to help me - she tried to put it in a songBut when I tried to sing it - the class, they told me, "yo!"You singin' out of tune my dude, about numbers you don't knowI got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
Verse 3 - Gray
I was chilling in class - with this dude I knewWe were talking crazy - and we were playing tooMs. Deletto gave me that look - I said, "I know what you' gon say."I said, "Please don't call my mama!" But she did it anyway. I got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
Verse 4 - NatalieI passed a note about a boy in class - I tried to keep it hushI might have mentioned a little pressure, but definitely not a crushRobertson made my friend do what I was most afraid of She made her read it to the class and now they're sayin' "WE KNOW WHO YOU LOVE!" I got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues! Verse 5When we go to music - We just want to relaxBut Mr. Blackmon with all his music, never stops ridin' our backsWe're up here singing the blues todayCause if we don't, we'll get extra work and we'll never get to playWe got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
Verse 2 - OwenI did my math homework - got all the answers wrongMs. G tried to help me - she tried to put it in a songBut when I tried to sing it - the class, they told me, "yo!"You singin' out of tune my dude, about numbers you don't knowI got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
Verse 3 - Gray
I was chilling in class - with this dude I knewWe were talking crazy - and we were playing tooMs. Deletto gave me that look - I said, "I know what you' gon say."I said, "Please don't call my mama!" But she did it anyway. I got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
Verse 4 - NatalieI passed a note about a boy in class - I tried to keep it hushI might have mentioned a little pressure, but definitely not a crushRobertson made my friend do what I was most afraid of She made her read it to the class and now they're sayin' "WE KNOW WHO YOU LOVE!" I got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues! Verse 5When we go to music - We just want to relaxBut Mr. Blackmon with all his music, never stops ridin' our backsWe're up here singing the blues todayCause if we don't, we'll get extra work and we'll never get to playWe got the blues - the Waverly Belmont Blues!
4a JourneeThe blues captured how African Americans used music to feel a little better about life’s tough circumstances.
4b DrewBut anyone that ever went through anything could relate to the blues. And that’s everyone.
4c TaylorThe Blues became a hit form of music throughout the country. Now, everyone was listening.
4d Jordynn“Give us more!” they seemed to say. African Americans replied, “OK, we’ll give you JAZZ!”
4b DrewBut anyone that ever went through anything could relate to the blues. And that’s everyone.
4c TaylorThe Blues became a hit form of music throughout the country. Now, everyone was listening.
4d Jordynn“Give us more!” they seemed to say. African Americans replied, “OK, we’ll give you JAZZ!”
Song 4: All Jazzed Up
soloists: Zolly, Aiden
(soloists: Aiden, Zolly) Wanna hear those saxes. Wanna hear those trombonesWanna hear those trumpets. I'm all jazzed up tonightWhen the joint is jumpin' - and the beat is thumpin'Man, my heart gets pumpin'. I'm all jazzed up tonight
When they start to play my fav'rite songI can hardly wait to swing alongwhen the band is smokin' honey I'm not jokinThough it goes unspoken -- I'm all jazzed up tonight
(Dancers:)
When they start to play my fav'rite songI can hardly wait to swing alongwhen the band is smokin' honey I'm not jokin'Though it goes unspoken -- I'm all jazzed up tonight
Ba da dap bap ba dow -- Ba da dap bap ba dowBa da dap bap ba dow -- I'm all jazzed up tonightBa da dap bap ba dow -- Ba da dap bap ba dowBa da dap bap ba dow -- I'm all -- jazzed -- up -- to -- nightWoah yeah! Woah yeah!
I'm all jazzed up tonight!
When they start to play my fav'rite songI can hardly wait to swing alongwhen the band is smokin' honey I'm not jokinThough it goes unspoken -- I'm all jazzed up tonight
(Dancers:)
When they start to play my fav'rite songI can hardly wait to swing alongwhen the band is smokin' honey I'm not jokin'Though it goes unspoken -- I'm all jazzed up tonight
Ba da dap bap ba dow -- Ba da dap bap ba dowBa da dap bap ba dow -- I'm all jazzed up tonightBa da dap bap ba dow -- Ba da dap bap ba dowBa da dap bap ba dow -- I'm all -- jazzed -- up -- to -- nightWoah yeah! Woah yeah!
I'm all jazzed up tonight!
5a Joy Jazz was complex, sophisticated and original. The invention of the recording industry allowed jazz to be shared with the whole world on vinyl records.
5b SybilPeople around the globe began to respect the sound of Black music, but the cries of black people for fair and equal treatment in America were still being ignored.
5c AnielaBy the 1950’s, fair-minded people had had enough. The civil rights movement was born. The movement could have been bloody and mean-spirited, like the civil war. But instead, it took a different tone. One song summed up its ideals more than any other - We Shall Overcome.
5b SybilPeople around the globe began to respect the sound of Black music, but the cries of black people for fair and equal treatment in America were still being ignored.
5c AnielaBy the 1950’s, fair-minded people had had enough. The civil rights movement was born. The movement could have been bloody and mean-spirited, like the civil war. But instead, it took a different tone. One song summed up its ideals more than any other - We Shall Overcome.
Song 5: We Shall Overcome
soloists: Cortaze (v2), Eve (v3), Gigi (v4)
We shall overcome, we shall overcomeWe shall overcome somedayOh, deep in my heart, I do believeWe shall overcome someday (soloist: Cortaze)We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in handWe’ll walk hand in hand somedayOh, deep in my heart, I do believeWe shall overcome someday
(soloist: Eve)Truth shall set us free, truth shall set us freeTruth shall set us free one dayOh, deep in my heart, I do believeWe shall overcome someday
(soloist: Gigi)We shall live in peace, we shall live in peaceWe shall live in peace todayOh, deep in my heart, I do believeWe shall overcome someday
Let Freedom Ring - On the mountain (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - We can all be free! (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - In the valley (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - We can all be free! (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - On the mountain (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) Let Freedom Ring - We can all be free! (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson)Let Freedom Ring - In the valley (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson)Let Freedom Ring - We can all be (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson)
Free, free, free at last thank God almighty wewe can all be (repeat 4x)
FREE!
(soloist: Eve)Truth shall set us free, truth shall set us freeTruth shall set us free one dayOh, deep in my heart, I do believeWe shall overcome someday
(soloist: Gigi)We shall live in peace, we shall live in peaceWe shall live in peace todayOh, deep in my heart, I do believeWe shall overcome someday
Let Freedom Ring - On the mountain (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - We can all be free! (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - In the valley (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - We can all be free! (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) - (Deletto/Williams)Let Freedom Ring - On the mountain (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson) Let Freedom Ring - We can all be free! (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson)Let Freedom Ring - In the valley (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson)Let Freedom Ring - We can all be (Deletto/Williams) - (Petree/Gamm/Robertson)
Free, free, free at last thank God almighty wewe can all be (repeat 4x)
FREE!
6a NiaOne man’s voice cut through the confusion of those turbulent times with a message of love instead of hate. His sound began to lead the movement and transformed it into a thing that brought people together.
6b McKynzieThat man was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His message of non-violent civil disobedience changed the nation. This song by Teresa Jennings was written to honor his legacy.
6b McKynzieThat man was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His message of non-violent civil disobedience changed the nation. This song by Teresa Jennings was written to honor his legacy.
Song 6: Free At Last
soloists: Michael, Eli C, Jude, Eli S, Eliza, Lela, Liv, Regan
(soloists: Michael, Eli C)Doctor oh, Doctor, we heard what you saidYou spoke out with wisdom. Your message was spread.(soloists: Eliza, Lela)You told the tales that we often re-tell.You spoke the words that reminded us well. Free! Free at last! Oh Free! Free at last!Thank God Almighty we are free, free at last. (soloist:)(soloists: Jude, Eli S)Doctor oh, Doctor, you marched and you led.You spoke out with courage the words yet unsaid.(soloists: Liv, Regan)You had a dream that our freedom would ring.You had a dream we would join hands and sing. Free! Free at last! Oh Free! Free at last!Thank God Almighty we are free, free at last. Oh Free! Free at last! Oh Free! Free at last!Thank God Almighty we are free, free at last.Thank God Almighty we are free ----, free --- at--- last----.
7a StellaDr. King was assassinated in 1968. But the sound of the call for freedom and equality continued to ring out.
7b Trace It rang through the sounds of Rock and Roll
7c Trip It rang through the sounds of Motown Soul
7d Amelia It rang through the sounds of disco and funk
7e Gregory Providing a flashlight to see through the junk
7f Elijah The whole world was moved by the sound of Pop
7g D.J. Fletcher And got in the groove through R&B and Hip Hop
7b Trace It rang through the sounds of Rock and Roll
7c Trip It rang through the sounds of Motown Soul
7d Amelia It rang through the sounds of disco and funk
7e Gregory Providing a flashlight to see through the junk
7f Elijah The whole world was moved by the sound of Pop
7g D.J. Fletcher And got in the groove through R&B and Hip Hop
Song 7: Parade Of Superstars (lip sync)
- Billie Holiday: Sylvia
- Louis Armstrong: Jude
- Chuck Berry: Gray
- Diana Ross and the Supremes: Taylor, Anaiya, Olivia
- Aretha Franklin: Sybil
- Jimi Hendrix: Jamison
- Sly and the Family Stone: Ky, Eli S, Quinn, Jude, Owen
- Stevie Wonder: Carter Hill
- Tina Turner: Brilea, Daphne, Evelyn, Eva
- George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic: Cortaze, Eli C, Jalil, Gregory,
- Bob Marley - Travis
- RUN DMC: Trip, Abe, East
- Whitney Houston: Noelle
- Prince: Natalie
- Michael Jackson: Quinn D, (dancers Regan, Liv, Miracle)
- EnVogue: Jordynn, Journee, London
- Destiny’s Child: Emauni, Imani, Tiffany
- TLC: McKynzie, Travaya, Nia
- Kanye West: Drew
- Alicia Keys: Aniela
- Kendrick Lamar:
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