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Giving – Receiving

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Over the course of this year’s Friday night discussion at Phase II, students will be exploring the theme “Giving – Receiving” and how it pertains to music and social change. 

In October, we begin by reading Pablo Neruda’s short narrative, “The Lamb & the Pine Cone.” This story looks at what a giver and a receiver get out of a gift exchange and what role an anonymous gift can play. We ask, “Can music be a gift?”, “Do you give or receive it?”, and “Is performing the same as giving?”

In December we will examine Bertold Brecht’s poem, “A Bed for the Night.” Two alternate ideas about social change are presented here, and we’ll be exploring the idea of a “small act” of social change and what kind of a difference that can make. We’ll also place the poem alongside the story and photo of Vedran Smailovic, the cellist who played in the streets of Sarajevo during the war, in memory of those who had been killed in a bread line. We’ll talk about this act and the relationship between music and social change. 

These discussions lead us to the point in the year where students begin planning for the Youth Salon, a student-led performance night which raises awareness for a particular issue the students choose to bring to light. In January, students discuss what they hope to give and receive through leading the Youth Salon, and begin to generate possible theme options. 

February brings a vote on the theme and the beginning of work in action-oriented groups which focus on PR, music, issue awareness and design of the Youth Salon throughout March and April. 

In May, we’ll have a chance to reflect both on the Phase II year and on the Youth Salon. We’ll also take one of our last meetings to build on our public speaking skills through a series of exercises and games.

-Rachel Panitch, CMW staff