I witnessed such a great success today, I feel obliged to share it.

I was priviliged enough to attend a concert during the school day, performed by our school’s Bucket Ensemble.

What’s a bucket ensemble, you say? It’s a percussion ensemble, playing make-shift instruments like 5-gallon buckets. Think steel drums on a budget.

It sounds silly, at first, until you see them live. Today, the Bucket Ensemble was performing for a group of kindergardeners. They were walked over from the early childhood school next door, and they all sat down in the auditorium for a special treat.

Check It On YouTube

While I was at the concert, I took some video on my digital camera. Unfortunately, I decided not to post any of it on YouTube (although the sound quality was pretty good… I was really surprised). The band director had had some issues with the administration over video-taping and the need for release forms.

Better not to stir the pot.

The group has, however, been taped and put on YouTube before. Last month, the Star Ledger (a local NJ newspaper) did a feature story on the bucket ensemble. They put together a short tape of footage and interviews, and it’s since been posted on YouTube.

Star Ledger Not Big Enough for You?

Is the Star Ledger not big enough for you?

Today’s performance was video taped by a crew from ABC’s Eyewitness news. The local ABC affiliate ran a story on the 6 o clock news about the Bucket Ensemble.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the video online. There is, however, a short written article on the abclocal website.

From what I understand (and as the article mentions), the band may be chosen to play at Obama’s Inaugural ceremony. They have also been in talks with the View for a national TV performance. Big things are in store for this group.

Some of my students (and the students I work with in extra-curriculars) are in the band, and I can’t express how proud I am of them. Success like this makes you reconsider the “failure” we see in urban high schools.

Of course, this begs the question: What does the bucket ensemble do next year? They’ve had such a successful cinderella story, it seems like there’s nowhere left to go but back down.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I need to learn how to play the guitar. I played some Eric Clapton before class today, and a lot of kids asked if it was me. Ah, the imagination of youngsters. I wish that were me.

I made a deal with one of my students that if she kept practicing the piano, I’d go back to learning the guitar (which I gave up last February). Let’s see if I can keep up my end of the bargain.