The Music Clubhouses have had a wonderful impact on many members' lives. You can read some of their stories here.
From the WEH Music Clubhouse:
Chris is 16 years old and lives outside of the Allston neighborhood. He heard
about the Music Clubhouse through a friend of a friend and, in his own words,
“didn’t believe it”. He came to the Club to see for himself and is now one of our
most dedicated members. Even though we are temporarily offering only limited
hours at the Music Clubhouse, he still comes to the West End House four
(sometimes five) times each week. While he is waiting for the Music Clubhouse
to open, he has dinner in the Kids Cafe, plays sports in the gym and completes
his homework in the teen center, but once TMC doors open…we know where to
find him.
From the Lawrence Music Clubhouse:
This story is a bit more generalized however we felt it needed to be told. On October 30th we held our first ever Air Guitar Competition. We had ten energetic teens sign up for the event, which was advertised also as a costume party. These students spent hours perfecting their costumes which ranged from anime’ characters, rock stars, even a giant banana! Although there could only be one winner the teens were incredibly energetic, encouraging and supportive of one another. During the performances they were screaming out support, dancing along with other contestants, not to mention the occasional stage dive. To say that the night was a success is an understatement. The winner shared his winnings with the other participants and we heard comments that ‘this is the best Halloween party ever’ and ‘this was better than my school Halloween party.’ As part of our ‘Rock star Tuesdays’ series, this event was designed to engage our regular students in performance disguised as a fun competition. It is our hope that through events like this our students will gain confidence and self esteem to perform at other Clubhouse activities thus fulfilling part of the Music Clubhouse mission.
Smith is again at the forefront of the Music Clubhouse scene! During our week
long celebration for Arts Week (November 5-9) Smith was able to put together
an ensemble to perform one of his original compositions for the finale concert
held on the 9th. The song is titled “My Superstar” and Smith wrote all the
music and lyrics. Smith is defiantly become a ‘Superstar’ at the Music
Clubhouse, always ready to lend a hand and help when needed. He is already
scheduled to perform another original at a YCMA cooperate event in mid January.
New member Cesar came to the Music Clubhouse at what seemed to be the
most inconvenient times. He would always show up during lessons or otherwise
very busy times looking for studio time. Finally it was suggested to him that
he enroll in the new recording 101 lessons. After all the failed attempts to get
in the studio a normal student would have given up but Cesar listened to the staff and signed up for the class. The first day it was clear he had been in studios before and quickly learned the material and got right to work recording. Staff helped Cesar put beats to his very lyrical raps and melodies. Not only is he very talented but he is very positive and encouraging as well. Cesar started working on original material speaking out on social issues such as war and other current issues. His fun, vibrant energy is a breath of fresh air to the Clubhouse… often Cesar would comment that ‘when I make it big I’m gonna make the Clubhouse famous too!’ This respectful, energetic, and talented young man embodies all that the Clubhouse is looking for in its members.
From the Blue Hill Music Clubhouse:
From the WEH Music Clubhouse:
Khalifa is a Clubhouse member who would like to share her experience:
"Good afternoon,
My name is Khalifa and I am 15 years old. I attend the John D. O’Bryant School
of Mathematics and Science where I am entering my sophomore year of high
school. I have been going to the West End House Boys and Girls Club since I
was six years old. Over the many years of going to the club, the West End
House has been a great support and has positively impacted my life.
Over the 9 years of being at the Club, I can honestly say that the West End
House has molded me into the positive, intellectual person I am today.
Thanks to the people who have generously donated tons of money to the
West End House Boys & Girls Club, I have been involved in many activities
within the Club; one for example, The Music Club House. Few years ago I
remember that the only instrument the West End House Boys & Girls Club had was a un tuned, used, dusty, not black and white, but brown and grey, old, but a spiritually beautiful piano. We did use this piano though, and so that the keys wouldn’t pop out at us while we played it, we treated it with love, and didn’t talk about it like I just did.
Now the WEH actually has a room just for music. It is amazing seeing a whole room filled with instruments such as keyboards, guitars, bases’, violins, drums, electric drums, and much more. In the room there are also computers where you can listen to more than 2,000 songs and make your own beats. You all must know
what I am talking about. I am sure tons of you all are music lovers. But seeing this room
filled with instruments is like looking up to the night sky in Boston, Mass, and actually
seeing shooting stars launching off beyond the hidden planets.
At this Music Club House, we take vocal lessons, drumming lessons, piano lessons,
violin lessons, and much more. We also take lyric lessons. This lyric class is called
Group Think. We learn how to write openly and freely, while using all of our senses
along with our imagination. This is one of my favorite classes. We write our own songs,
and Karlos Colon, the director of the Music Club House, guides us through this process
and writes out all of the music. So we made our first CD, finished it write before the
summer started, titled, One. On the album we wrote One in different languages. This album was a huge success. It is an international album and thanks to the WEH staff and our sponsors, not only the album was a success, but the 9 years I been going to the WEH was. As you can tell, I love music. But at the WEH there is something for everyone. There are sports teams, writing clubs, science clubs, walking clubs, Leadership programs, cooking class, exercising classes, dance class, art lessons, swimming lessons, and much more.
The WEH means a lot to me and my family. Forever I will consider it as my second home. I encourage all parents along with their kids to get involved in a program like the WEH. It positively impacted me and my family’s life and it will have an impact on yours too. Thank you! "
Tyrik, eleven years old, a Blue Hill Member whom had never played any instruments before, has after three months of working at the Blue Hill Music Clubhouse become the youngest drummer to perform for his church in the Roxbury area. Tyrik starts, and ends his day in the Clubhouse, doing his homework immediately, then begins his studies. Previously, Tyrik had been fairly soft-spoken, and now seems to display a new confidence through his incredible niche for learning and playing music. His primary instrument is drums, but he has performed with the Clubhouse for events on guitar as well.
