Workshop: Before radio, television and the internet, songs carried the history and shared the stories and feelings of everyday life. Folk songs are more than just songs; they are living tales expressive of the people and their lives, reflective of their travels, triumphs, tragedies and true loves. In this workshop with Ben Harbert, students view American history through its folk songs. Presented along with background information which places the song and lyrics in historical context, students learn how Americans adapted and used music in their lives as they rode the range, traveled the trail or lived out their own piece of American history. Led by Ben Harbert, a classical guitarist, Indian tabla player, music historian, educator, and avant-garde composer, students participate by singing in traditional styles and exploring the meaning behind the lyrics. Songs that may be presented include "Amazing Grace", "Gypsy Davy", "Cat Came Back", "Freight Train" and "Tom Dooley", among others. The workshop may also provides brief biographical information about composers such as Stephen Foster, John and Alan Lomax, Woody Guthrie, Maybelle Carter and Josh White. The folk music of America shows students how songs and their stories reflect the history of our nation.

Ben Harbert is a guitarist, Middle-Eastern 'ud player, Indian tabla player, music historian, educator, music documentarian, and composer. He represents a third generation of the Andres Segovia school of guitar, having studied under three of his proteges. He currently directs the Los Angeles Electric 8, an electric guitar chamber octet. His 'ud teachers include Cinucen Tanrikorur (Istanbul), Hussein Labib Saber (Cairo) and A. J. Racy (Los Angeles). Recently, he was a music advisor for Marketplace's Middle East @ Work, arranging and recording their theme music for a small Arab ensemble. Mr. Harbert is an exponent of the Lucknow tabla gharana, having studied in Calcutta, India and at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. Mr. Harbert also studied composition at Wesleyan University and in 1997, he was awarded the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for a yearlong study in Egypt, India and Spain. From 1998 to 2001, he directed the guitar and percussion departments at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. He has guest-lectured on music internationally. As a writer, he is a contributor to Acoustic Guitar Magazine, served as editor of the Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook, and written a number of wide-ranging articles on music. Mr. Harbert holds a Master of Arts from UCLA in ethnomusicology. Currently, he is finishing his Ph.D. at UCLA with a focus on music in American prisons and music of the Near East.

Price:
$75 per 45-minute workshop plus possible planning fee. Minimum four workshops per day must be scheduled.

Age Group:K-12
Capacity:1 Classroom (maximum of 35 students, plus regular teacher)
Availability:Year Round

Teacher In-Service Price: $100/hour (2-hour minimum required), plus additional planning fee.
Capacity: 40 Educators

To design an arts education program with this artist, please call (213) 250-ARTS or email education@musiccenter.org.

Prices are for services between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.