Rochester, NY – Teachers at the Eastman Community Music School grew increasingly frustrated that fewer and fewer students were being exposed to old-fashioned folk songs.
“We’ve all but lost that simple frame of reference that can help kids learn more complicated music,” explains Howard Spindler, piano department chair. “Songs like O, Susanna! and Frère Jacques contain the basic elements of music, plus they’re easy to remember – and fun!”
Six Eastman Community Music School teachers decided to do something about this musical generation gap. They recorded Eastman Folk Sing, a CD of 30 traditional folk songs that they “love to sing and play with students”.
Besides Spindler on piano and recorder, the CD features voice teachers Cecile Saine and Derrick Smith, guitarist Peter Kodzas, and the coordinator of the school’s music theory program, Adam Foley, singing and playing recorder. Former ECMS teacher, Naomi Foley, also sings and plays recorder on the CD.
Eastman Folk Sing features only acoustic instruments and was recorded right at the Eastman School of Music this past summer. It is now available in local venues, including the Eastman School of Music Bookstore, Borders in Henrietta, the Pittsford Barnes & Noble, The Creator’s Hands, and the Sampler Records website at www.samplerfolkmusic.com.
Please note: Several high-resolution photos are available electronically. Interviews and photo or footage opportunities can also be arranged.
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The Eastman Community Music School opened in 1921, at the same time as the Eastman School of Music. George Eastman’s vision was to create both a professional music conservatory and a music school for area residents. The Eastman Community Music School is open to all ages and levels of music ability, and receives many benefits from its affiliation with the world-class Eastman School of Music, such as shared faculty, extensive facilities (including concert/rehearsal halls and the world-famous Sibley Music Library), and an artistic environment which includes recitals, concerts, lectures, and master classes.