The Original Instrument: The Human Voice - Ball in the House
Between October 12 and 19, the a cappella group, Ball in the House, participated in an ambitious town-wide event which included performances at all the elementary schools and High Rock, a very popular public performance, as well as workshops for singers at the middle school and high school.
Ball in the House is a 5-man a capella singing group. Their performance includes a short history of a cappella music, from Gregorian chant to hip-hop. Sprinkled between songs is information about how the music is made, the use of amplifiers, the soundboard, and special sound effects.
When asked to comment on the performance, a Newman 5th grader
responded:
“Even if your friends say ‘why do you do music?’ you should keep doing it if you like it.”
Hillside students asked how the music made them feel answered:
“excited, happy, jumpy, wanting to dance or run around the gym, cool, interested in a cappella.”
The group, also provided terrific role models, as noted by Newman second grade teacher Paulina Teng,
“These five guys give boys an alternative to all the sports role models available to them. Sports are great, but there are plenty of boys out there who are looking for something different. For them, this is particularly important.”
Ball in the House was sponsored by the elementary school cultural arts committees, Needham Creative Arts Council and the NEF. Karen Levine of the Creative Arts Council noted,
“One of the things that a grant from the NEF allows us to do is bring in a group of exceptional quality that might be beyond our reach financially otherwise. Ball in the House brought an excitement about music into the schools, and taught the kids about how a musical performance comes together. They also brought a wonderful message, that being involved in music and the arts is cool, and it enriches our lives.”