“I knew virtually nothing about conventional music education, and didn’t know how to teach singing. Above all, I knew nothing of what children’s music was supposed to be. But the kids had a grasp of what they liked: emotion, drama, and making music as a group. Whether the results were good, bad, in tune or out was no big deal — they had élan. This was not the way music was traditionally taught. But then I never liked conventional ‘children’s music,’ which is condescending and ignores the reality of children’s lives, which can be dark and scary. These children hated ‘cute.’ They cherished songs that evoked loneliness and sadness.”
~ Hans Fenger
In 2000, a WFMU fan in Vancouver by the name of Brian Linds submitted a vinyl rip of songs from an album he picked up in a thrift store titled The Langley Schools Music Project to WFMU DJ Irwin Chusid. He played it on his radio show to enthusiastic reactions from station listeners and staff, prompting Irwin to request further tracks from the record. Brian sent a rip of the entire album to Irwin along with a photocopy of the album sleeve. Irwin starting tracking down some of the names on the album in hopes of getting more information on the project – and hopefully re-releasing it.
Irwin managed to find one school administrator who knew of Hans Fenger – listed as “musical supervisor” on the album. When he managed to get in touch with Hans, who was at that time teaching music at an elementary school in Vancouver, he expressed his wish to re-release the recordings on CD and got the green light. Through Irwin’s determination, the recordings were released on Bar None Records, spinning a further incredible series of events into play.
I have found mentions of this project and a few tracks on MP3 blogs over the years, but this weekend I came upon a short documentary featuring more context, history, interviews with the students (now well into their 30s), and reflections from Hans Fenger. I gathered the documentary pieces and stitched them together below.
There are so many things I love about this story: reclaimed vinyl treasures, the role of the freeform radio DJ, the crucial role of arts education in children’s lives, and the profound impact of good teachers.
This is awesome, thanks for sharing. Similarly, I’ve been coming across people who tell me I “must know about the Langley School’s Music Project,” but had yet to really get a grasp on what it was all about.
“…reclaimed vinyl treasures, the role of the freeform radio DJ, the crucial role of arts education in children’s lives, and the profound impact of good teachers.” A hearty thanks for a continued education in many of the above, Mr. Potter!
@bryan I thought of you and the Talons after I watched the doc … I have heard you with your students on #ds106radio in Cuba and in class … they are lucky to have you as a their teacher
Aw Grant, I *love* this project. It encapsulates everything I believe about music and happiness. Thanks for sharing.
@dkernohan So happy you enjoyed it – such a wonderful story of creative teaching, youth, and music
I’ve listened to Langley Schools Music Project for years via WFMU (my all time fave djmonica played it a lot when I first started listening early 2000’s) but this is the first time I really got the whole story. Thanks for your docu-quilting here. I laughed, I cried. Harry’s got an awesome music teacher this year who is mostly doing his phd and just has this one part-time gig teaching. But he is just pouring in his energy and the kids sounded so damn musical at the xmas concert. Here’s to musicians teaching kids music.
@keira I first heard the Langley Schools Music Project while I was living overseas and listening the ever reliable WFMU stream – I recall it being referred to on http://blog.wfmu.org/ a few times as well as the awesome 365 Days Project http://wfmu.org/365/
So glad to hear Harry is enjoying a great music teacher. Yes indeed – here’s to more music in schools in classrooms.