As part of a Newton-wide Concert Series, Franklin students and staff enjoyed a highly entertaining performance by Semenya McCord and her 3 piece band for a "Journey into Jazz”.
Semenya was an excellent story teller and successfully kept over 200 students engaged for nearly an hour as she took the audience on a musical journey through American history, highlighting various types of music that have evolved from the day-to-day experiences of African slaves and their descendants in the United States of America.
She introduced work songs, spirituals, an original blues song about what frustrates students at the Franklin, swing and jazz. She talked about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and everyone sang a beautiful version of This Little Light of Mine together. Semenya also enlisted an octet of our own Franklin scat singers. She led the students in one final song and they left humming Day-O, remembering they still had to get back to work in the classroom!
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| Semenya engaging with students |
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| She asked lots of questions and moved throughout the room |
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| Students were engrossed in her storytelling |
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| Semenya McCord and her 3 piece band |
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| Lots of enthusiastic participation |
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| Students singing scat lyrics |
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| The Franklin octet scat troupe! |
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| No one could resist snapping... |
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| swaying.... |
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| and clapping along with the rhythm! |
