Kidz Bop Hits the Road

Patti — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:38:00 GMT

Okay. First, let's make sure we have enough water and nonperishable foods, and send someone down to the bank to get some cash to keep on hand. We're going to need to cover the windows with duct tape and plywood. People, we're going to the mattresses here, because Kidz Bop is going on tour this year, and we must remain vigilant. We must protect our young.

Those of you unfamiliar with the phenomenon of Kidz Bop are either lucky, or you don't occasionally just leave Nickelodeon on during the commercials. It's an insidious marketing scheme that involves a chorus of children singing on—what is it now, twelve CD's? And then there are videos and it's all very catchy and obnoxious and even a preschool child may turn to you and say "This song is good!" and then you realize it's a bunch of nine-year-olds destroying Modest Mouse's "Float On" and you bury your head in your hands and weep. If you have kids in the actual Kidz Bop demographic of 6-11, it may be too late to save your family.

(via Idolator)

Can I Get a What-What?: Schools Turn To Hip-Hop to Teach Kids About Music

Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 12:01:00 GMT

When I was a kid, we had band and orchestra class in school. If we wanted to play an instrument, regardless of income or background, we could learn. Nowadays, unless (public) schools raise their own funds to pay for them, music classes are almost non-existent. Low-income schools have been hit particularly hard by budget cuts, and many feel pressure to focus resources on preparing students for standardized tests.

But for a select group of kids, things are about to change. "Lower-income kids across the country will soon be getting a free music education through hip-hop and other pop tunes they can relate to. Boston's Berklee College of Music is reaching out to (several) cities with a 15-year-old program that's made instrumental and vocal music accessible to underprivileged local children."

With technology provided by Apple Computer, Berklee alumni will teach students how to play individual sections of their favorite songs and then to play along with "special computer mixes" of them. If they are learning how create pop songs, I wonder if they'll spend the bulk of their time mastering Ableton Live and learning how pitch-correction software works. (Hi, Asslee Simpson! I'm talkin' about you!)

Thirty-five kids wanting to learn how to play "I Wanna Love You," fighting over who gets to be Akon and who gets to be Snoop. I hope the Berklee alums learn how to channel Suge Knight before setting foot in the classroom. Still, I hope the idea catches on.

[via WIFR]

Strollerderby : music class

Kidz Bop Hits the Road

Can I Get a What-What?: Schools Turn To Hip-Hop to Teach Kids About Music