Trumpets not Guns at Clark Prep!

Jan 28, 2013

Posted by: dmckinnon

Trumpets Not Guns Foundation visited Clark Prep last Thursday and we received a donation of three much-needed instruments for our Band: a clarinet, cornet and saxophone. The mission of Trumpets Not Guns is to: help preserve the culture of traditional jazz and to enrich the lives of children through music, not violence, by providing musical instruments to the youth of the City of New Orleans. This mission is accomplished by their efforts to help local schools and other music foundations get badly needed instruments into the hands of our children. “Get the guns out, put the trumpets in, and take back our streets one horn at a time.”

Ms. B, Clark Prep's Art teacher, organized the visit in which seventeen 9-12 grade students heard from three musicians that represent Trumpet Not Guns. Ms. Gipson, Social Worker of 9-10 grades, attended as well and spoke to the deep value of New Orleans Music in the community and the power it has to uplift our youth. Travis “Trumpet Black” Hill spoke to Mr. Franklin’s 4^th block class about his own life struggles as a teenager and how music saved his life. James Demaria, Producer of the documentary "Treme Life" composed a DVD of the event’s music featured workshop.  Check out this video Mr. Demaria completed that features footage from the day’s event.  Clark Prep’s own 9^th grader, Revon Andrews, on trombone and 10^th grader, Revert Powell, on trumpet performed with their cousin Travis featured on the video. The group will be returning soon to work with our band's horn section.

Travis is the grandson of New Orleans' own Jessie Hill who composed the famous song "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" and he is a cousin of all the Andrews family including Troy "Trombone Shorty", Glen David Andrews and more. This is a classic photo of their family members growing up and playing music in the 6^th Ward/Treme. Trombone Shorty is on sousaphone, Travis on trumpet on the end, Glen David Andrews on trombone, Big Dwayne & his brother Sammy on drums who currently perform with Trombone Shorty, and Wolf on trombone who played with all the brass bands including Dirty Dozen & Rebirth.

We are grateful and appreciative that that not only did Travis and members of Trumpets Not Guns visit Clark Prep, but that we received three brand new instruments from the Founders & Directors of the organization, Lisa and John Grillot, to help our students build upon their talent and recognize their individual potentials. We look forward to working with Trumpets Not Guns again soon!