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Festival needs to learn from the G Train
Published Friday, April 10, 2009
Education has always been a focus of the Natchez Festival of Music.
Every May the organization invites school children from the region to get a taste of opera, jazz and classical music.
Last year, for example, students were treated to a operetta called “G Train: The Musical.’
Five people from very different walks of life suddenly find themselves stuck on the G Train in a subway in New York City. A stockbroker, a rapper, a mother of two, a panhandler and a judge — these five characters don’t get along at first. Faced with a crisis in the deep, dark underground, they rely on each other to survive.
The moral? Even though we are different and come from different walks of life, we all are in this big world together.
Or are we?
Almost one year later, a new drama is unfolding at the Margaret Martin Performing Arts complex.
Monday morning, Natchez Festival of Music officials discovered an auditorium covered in white powder. It is suspected that Youth Build members set off a fire extinguisher in the space.
Appalled at the recklessness of the Youth Build members, Festival of Music organizers have not only demanded that the auditorium be cleaned but that the Youth Build organization be evicted from the basement of the old school building.
Youth Build is an initiative designed to educate and train high school dropouts. The group is using the basement of the old school as a classroom.
Charlotte Copeland, Natchez Festival of Music Secretary, has said that having the Youth Build program in the basement “is a negative factor” for the performing arts complex.
High school dropouts and the rehabilitation of teenagers do not match the mission of Margaret Martin and the Natchez Festival of Music, she said.
That’s too bad.
It seems as if Youth Build and the Festival of Music are losing a prime opportunity to create something unique.
For an organization that prides itself on providing educational opportunities to children, maybe it is time for officials to see this weekend’s incident as an opening.
Is it possible that the festival could reach out to the Youth Build group?
Instead of turning their backs on these children and forcing them to some other building suitable for their “negative” impact, Festival officials could offer them a place to learn to be creative and productive citizens.
Youth Build members could help build sets and other props for future operas and plays.
They could help do some minor repairs and cleaning in a building that sorely needs attention.
They could be stage hands and realize how much work goes into creating the various Festival of Music productions.
At the same time, the Festival of Music could become mentors and role models for a group of youth that clearly needs direction.
This is not to say that the actions of the weekend are excusable. They aren’t. But instead of walking away from the problem, Youth Build owned up to the responsibility and cleaned the school’s auditorium.
Unfortunately, taking full responsibility for their actions and making reparations seems not to be enough.
Of course, all of this requires seeing positives instead of negatives. It requires giving of ourselves instead of giving into fear.
It requires festival officials listening to their own music and realizing that although we are different, there is potential in working together.
Ben Hillyer is the Web editor for The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3540 or by e-mail at ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 3:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, COME ON, Ben! Have you been watching "Full House" too much? Is this the part where the heartstring-pulling music comes in and we all have a group hug and the studio audience says, "awww"...
I suspect that, in order to get themselves evicted, these kids have not been model citizens and tenants who suddenly had one screw-up. I know Charlotte Copeland to be a kind and fair person. If she says that they have had a negative impact on the Festival of Music, then I believe her.
There are a lot of people pouring their blood, sweat, and tears (not to mention their funding) into the Festival of Music every year in order to make it a success. At least some members of Youth Build have demonstrated that they don't have any respect for that but rather are willing to be destructive of that; and apparently the organization left them to their own devices (without supervision) to wreak havoc. It would be foolish and irresponsible for the Festival of Music to give them a higher level of trust and responsibility when they obviously couldn't even handle the little bit of leeway given to them. So they cleaned up after themselves. Good. They should take their walking papers and be thankful that a cleanup and eviction were their only consequences.
But I have an alternate idea. How about the Natchez Democrat mentoring these kids and letting them help out with all of your expensive equipment? Of course, "this requires seeing positives instead of negatives. It requires giving of ourselves instead of giving into fear." I mean, "although we are different, there is potential in working together." Gee whiz!
Posted by mslugirl (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 3:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great article, Ben, and good advice.
Posted by BHillyer (Ben Hillyer) on April 10, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Happyreader,
Thanks for your response. It is not unexpected and I can understand the concerns at Margaret Martin.
Before this week I don't think anyone at the Festival of Music ever knew or cared about the Youth Build program. It is my impression that many people think that the group is made up of thugs and delinquents. Of course that is what people fear but don't really know.
What about the success stories - a young man pulled off the streets who applied himself and got his GED and now has a job. Without Youth Build he would still be on the streets. This young man who I heard about yesterday I would certainly mentor.
Somebody who pulls himself up by his bootstraps and applies himself is a "negative" impact?
Posted by LdyBreez (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree whole heartedly Ben... If something like this had happened before, then why was that not mentioned?
ND could you look into this matter and see if this is a one time affair or if things like this have happened before.
I still say without compromise, the Music Festival is singing a sour note.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GREAT article, Ben. You offered a wonderful solution to the Festival and Youth Build's problem. I only hope your suggestion will be taken seriously by those who are trying to deem these kids "unfit" for society.
This situation glaringly shows the selfish and arrogant hearts of the two ladies involved in the Festival. I'm still appalled by their comments. I assume they're used to having their way at all costs, even if it sends second-chance kids out on the streets. Since they have no heart, it shouldn't bother their conscience much.
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you, Ben, for being the voice of reason in an increasingly bitter situation. Your suggestions were right on target. It is interesting that in situations like this, you see who people really are...and sometimes that image is not pleasant to look at. I am very disheartened by the negativity coming not only from the Opera folks but from a couple of our esteemed leaders.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will look forward to reading about the mentor/apprentice program that the Natchez Democrat institutes in this situation. Not individuals within the organization - but the business itself. I'll be very (pleasantly) surprised if this actually happens... not because of anyone's heartlessness, but because of the realities of time, energy, and financial constraints of running a business and the obligation to look out for its welfare.
It's easy to say what you think other people or organizations should do with their property, their time, and their resources. To paint the people working with the Festival of Music as selfish and arrogant is unfair at best and libelous at worst. I know them, and they have shown themselves to be kind, decent people. This organization has had a long history of reaching out to underprivileged children - in fact, that is what most of their artists spend most of their time doing. But part of doing something well is knowing your limitations. If an organization does not have the time, energy, or resources to institute an effective mentor program, then they shouldn't do it. They have a right to make that decision, and they are NOT mean ogres for doing so.
Again, if you think this is something that should be done, and you've got what it takes to do it, then don't let anything stop you. But don't try to decide what volunteer work others should commit to.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As I recall in the article, the Festival folk have blatently proved they could care less about the welfare of Youth Build participants, so to imply the organization helps those who are underpriveledged is untrue. (Of course, they give money to the children's home when pictures are taken and nice little articles are written up in the society section of the newspaper.) The GUEST ARTISTS may spend their time helping those less fortunate but I press any member of the Festival to inform these artists about Youth Build's situation. I doubt they'd be a guest in Natchez again.
No one is asking Festival Folk to mentor the Youth Build participants, per se. I suggest they hush themselves and do what society dames do best...ignore them.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kpage, I know from your prior posts that you are a caring person. You post about mistreated animals, molested children etc. Of course you have stated that thieves should have their fingers amputated! I guess that'll teach them (I presume this punishment whould only be applied to adult thieves). Perhaps if Youth Build had gotten to them when they were mere children, they wouldn't be stealing. I'm all for that.
My point is that I was shocked by your put down of those who support and work for the Festival of Music. Everyone with children in the schools knows what great work the Festival does to give these kids an oppontunity to be exposed to wonderful live music performances. Then you expanded your comments to put down those who support the Children's Home (and I presume you would also include the Humane Society, Pleasant Acre and all other non profit organizations which are desperately trying to keep their heads above water).
So what if volunteers and donors get their pictures in the paper. Do you volunteer and donate to these or other similar organizations that work to educate, enlighten, entertain and rescue kids?
Since we don't know who you are, we don't know whether your picture has been in the paper or not. Most of the people and groups I've noticed being thanked for giving to these causes seem to be just everyday citizens who really care about children and animals. And these articles are not usually on what you called the "Society Pages". The Democrat is always anxious to give space to good causes, and the publicity helps get the message across.
Keep writing, kpage, but think before you say hurtful things about people and organizations.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kpage and Ben are right.
I won't post anything negative about copeland, schmeig, green, or any other realtor because I will be deleted. Sooooooo I can't post anything about them. Don't you people know that the Lord can see that the only time you do anything good is when the cameras are rolling or it's a tax writeoff?
I'm sorry I don't have any respect for you but you haven't earned any.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who on earth do you think commissions the artists to spend all day, every day, singing to children of all socioeconomic groups, including those in NASD? (I'll give you a hint: You would consider them society dames.)
Posted by mudd (anonymous) on April 11, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this building has been vandalized repeatedley over the past few years. it always seems to be children from activities in or around... maybe the city of natchez should provide around the clock security so they do not have to continue spending money on the same repairs over and over again..
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