Music & Youth in the New York Times
Boston, MA, August 2009
Some of you may have seen the New York Times Sunday Magazine's cover story on August 16, 2009 that discussed the new release of the Beatles Rock Band game. The article also talked about how Rock Band and video games in general have become a controversial but powerful force in the music industry and in music education.
As you may know, we use Rock Band at the Music Clubhouses to help attract and motivate youth. Through the experience of playing Rock Band they learn to appreciate music and develop transferrable skills to making their own music.
We thought you would be interested in our letter to the editor that is published in the NY Times Sunday Magazine section on August 30, 2009.
From NY Times Magazine Letters to the Editor August 30, 2009
Our organization has seen firsthand the power of Rock Band as a teaching tool. We develop and finance after-school music programs for underserved urban youth. Harmonix has generously equipped each of our six Music Clubhouses with Rock Band. “Rock Band Fridays” have become a key way to attract new students, get them hooked and provide a transition to learning an instrument. Rock Band not only changes how music is enjoyed; it also provides a new paradigm for motivating young people to learn to play music. Once you feel the thrill of performing, even with a plastic instrument, you know that the hard work of learning to play the real instrument is worth it.
GARY EICHHORN
Music and Youth Initiative
Boston
For the original letter to the editor, please click on this link:
We have produced a video of some of the Music Clubhouse kids using Rock Band in conjunction with traditional drums and vocals. The video illustrates the power of using this medium as a teaching tool. To view our video, please click on the link below:
