It's a good time to be a Philadelphian

Last night, as I swooped around a pole on the North side of city hall, and looked around at so many smiling, high-fiving, statue-climbing Philadelphian denizens, I felt very alive. Philadelphia is first at something.

The sentiment is usually the force that makes me lean away from sports-the inherent conquering motif. Last night, though, it was hard to abandon the feeling of distinct deservedness that came with the Phillies World Series win. Not to mention, baseball has a semantic quality more rich than proverbial apple pie.

Today, with little sleep, I feel unusually alive in tackling some of the problems that face my work in the arts world. Folk arts are underfunded, economic pundits claim that every arts association will be hit harder than other industry organizations, and music education is diminishing. But I won't be beaten by this.

We are the champions...

I am looking forward to this upcoming show, and the beginning to a partnership with Allen's Lane Art Center.

Music for every Philadelphia child!

I have been kept from sleep for many nights this week. Philadelphia schools, despite recent claims for change, continue to lose music and arts education programs by (give or take) 20% every year. At times of economic uncertainty, audiences attend less performances, arts organizations are hit hard, and undoubtedly, schools cut music and arts education.

Despite research and evidence that suggests that music and arts engage the spatial-temporal neurons of the brain, raise test scores, and help with important developments in the brain, it seems like many seem to buy in to the idea that music and arts are subsidiary. I disagree. And I would love to see the Philadelphia Folksong Society lead a charge to help make music and arts available to every single child in Philadelphia.

It is a lofty endeavor. It will require a coalition involvement of arts organizations; families; churches, synagogues, and mosques; school administrators; foundations; corporations; artists; and others. Uniting such groups can prove especially daunting, but the alternative is devastating. By partnering, Philadelphia could send a clear message that arts are too important to be swept aside.

A coalition plan could see individuals and organizations 1) building awareness about our concerns and 2) implementing programs to change the contextual framework of music and arts education. The coalition would build awareness at arts and cultural events. What is more, an implementation plan would involve schools and principals as well as community artists offering free or affordable music and arts classes outside of schools.

The connection for the Philadelphia Folksong Society is obvious. Not only is education a focal point of our mission, but folk arts call on the person-to-person interaction that such a coalition effort would require. My entire world-view and thought processes have been altered and shaped by my understanding of music. Now it is time to come together and build a cultural landscape that can carry into every facet of Philadelphia life.

It's more than cheesesteaks and cream cheese here.