The 28th Annual Lennon Tribute
Karlus will be performing as part of The 28th Annual Lennon Tribute Concert on Sunday December 7, 2008 in NYC. Tickets may be purchased online, via phone, or at the door day of show. Please see the Calender section for full details.
WORDS
Hey gang. Happy New Year to all!
I’m writing from beautiful sunny St Barts. I’ll be down here playing
music with Papaguyo for the next three weeks. This is the place
where if your docking your yacht in the harbor, size does matter. If
your yacht’s only 90 feet long, your in the minor leages here.
Whew! Well this year has started well. I finally got the Myspace up and running. I’m at Karlus Trapp and MaGumbo. You can hear
the latest finished track “Crank The Volume”, as well as the 2007
finalist in the John Lennon songwriting contest folk category ”The
Monkey In My Stomach." This past week was a good one too. I took first
prize in the Bob Dylan sing-off sponsored by the “Studio”
and The New york Guitar Festival. The first round was held at The
Bitter End on Bleecker St, and the Finals were held at The World
Financial Center’s Winter Garden. We had to pick one song from a 1966
Dylan concert at Royal Albert Hall, (the bootleg series)and give an interpretation. I sang my favorite Dylan tune, ”Mr Tamborine Man”....rocking reggae style. It was a blast! I won an Ipod,
Apple recording software, and $5oo bucks. Wish I could make a living
doing that.
Last Sunday, I sang at The Cathedral of St.John
The Divine. It was part of a program commemorating the 20th anniversary of the abolishment of the Atlantic Slave Trade. It was arranged and coordinated by my good friend Jeanine Otis, with songs and spoken words. It was a moving show. I sang Muddy Waters song, “Mannish Boy”. It took on a whole new context in this setting. I had a great little rhythm section of acoustic bass and drums, Murray Hall,(I hope that’s right) and a woman on drums who I met that day,and whose name I regret is at home on a card. They were great. Then I went out to the car, and listened to the Giants beat the Cowboys. Wow,what a day.
Well Ciao for now. Peace and well being to all.
- Karlus
I’m writing from beautiful sunny St Barts. I’ll be down here playing
music with Papaguyo for the next three weeks. This is the place
where if your docking your yacht in the harbor, size does matter. If
your yacht’s only 90 feet long, your in the minor leages here.
Whew! Well this year has started well. I finally got the Myspace up and running. I’m at Karlus Trapp and MaGumbo. You can hear
the latest finished track “Crank The Volume”, as well as the 2007
finalist in the John Lennon songwriting contest folk category ”The
Monkey In My Stomach." This past week was a good one too. I took first
prize in the Bob Dylan sing-off sponsored by the “Studio”
and The New york Guitar Festival. The first round was held at The
Bitter End on Bleecker St, and the Finals were held at The World
Financial Center’s Winter Garden. We had to pick one song from a 1966
Dylan concert at Royal Albert Hall, (the bootleg series)and give an interpretation. I sang my favorite Dylan tune, ”Mr Tamborine Man”....rocking reggae style. It was a blast! I won an Ipod,
Apple recording software, and $5oo bucks. Wish I could make a living
doing that.
Last Sunday, I sang at The Cathedral of St.John
The Divine. It was part of a program commemorating the 20th anniversary of the abolishment of the Atlantic Slave Trade. It was arranged and coordinated by my good friend Jeanine Otis, with songs and spoken words. It was a moving show. I sang Muddy Waters song, “Mannish Boy”. It took on a whole new context in this setting. I had a great little rhythm section of acoustic bass and drums, Murray Hall,(I hope that’s right) and a woman on drums who I met that day,and whose name I regret is at home on a card. They were great. Then I went out to the car, and listened to the Giants beat the Cowboys. Wow,what a day.
Well Ciao for now. Peace and well being to all.
- Karlus
Happy New Year Everyone!
Karlus Trapp WORDS
NOVEMBER 2007
YO PEOPLE,
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’.IT’S ALMOST THANKSGIVING. HARD TO BELIEVE. IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN HERE IN A WHILE, CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS OF ME AND THE BOYS JAMMING WITH JIMMY BUFFET AND KEITH URBAN DOWN IN ST BARTS. THAT WAS BACK IN FEBRUARY. KEITH’S LOVELY WIFE WAS OUT IN THE AUDIENCE BEEMING AT US. WOW!! I’LL BE GOING BACK THERE IN JANUARY.
IN SEPTEMBER I WAS A FINALIST IN THE JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST FOLK CATEGORY, FOR “MONKEY IN MY STOMACH”. THERE’S 4 FINALISTS INCLUDING THE WINNER. HOLLY NEAR WAS ONE OF THEM. SO I WAS IN GOOD COMPANY.
AS SOON AS I GET MY MYSPACE UP, YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING ABOUT THE NEXT CD, SO I’VE REALLY GOT TO GET CRACKING. WELL THAT’S IT FOR NOW. PEACE TO EVERY ONE. DON’T FORGET TO PRAY FOR PEACE. AS RINGO SAID, IT DON’T COME EASY.
CIAO,
KARLUS
YO PEOPLE,
WHAT’S HAPPENIN’.IT’S ALMOST THANKSGIVING. HARD TO BELIEVE. IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN HERE IN A WHILE, CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS OF ME AND THE BOYS JAMMING WITH JIMMY BUFFET AND KEITH URBAN DOWN IN ST BARTS. THAT WAS BACK IN FEBRUARY. KEITH’S LOVELY WIFE WAS OUT IN THE AUDIENCE BEEMING AT US. WOW!! I’LL BE GOING BACK THERE IN JANUARY.
IN SEPTEMBER I WAS A FINALIST IN THE JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST FOLK CATEGORY, FOR “MONKEY IN MY STOMACH”. THERE’S 4 FINALISTS INCLUDING THE WINNER. HOLLY NEAR WAS ONE OF THEM. SO I WAS IN GOOD COMPANY.
AS SOON AS I GET MY MYSPACE UP, YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING ABOUT THE NEXT CD, SO I’VE REALLY GOT TO GET CRACKING. WELL THAT’S IT FOR NOW. PEACE TO EVERY ONE. DON’T FORGET TO PRAY FOR PEACE. AS RINGO SAID, IT DON’T COME EASY.
CIAO,
KARLUS
"Music Man Moves Special Needs Students"
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's been said that music is the universal language and when it comes to reaching out to special needs students, music can be a powerful teaching tool indeed.
That proved to be the case when Sundog Theatre partnered with the Hungerford School in Clifton to provide a music program involving teaching artist Karlus Trapp and some 50 of the school's special-needs students of varying ages and disabilities.
Bringing his guitar to the classroom and working with students to teach them songs and rhythm, Trapp got students to respond and participate.
"Karlus interacts very well with all the students, and they love it. So does the staff," noted teacher Lenora Gillerman. "He adjusted his visits based upon the class-and the students' interests. He was able to reach every student regardless of their cognitive abilities," she said.
Sometimes the songs are familiar and all students join in, and other times Trapp taught them call and response songs or presented material that was new to them. Students became involved in various ways, either by singing or playing a percussion instrument such as symbols, maracas, or sticks, or by clapping.
Ms. Gillerman said she was able to use Trapp's musical visits as a springboard for lessons in other areas. "We learned about different types of musical instruments, made instruments as art projects, used the Internet to research information about their favorite songs, and used song lyrics to improve the students' reading abilities."
"Karlus helps our teachers use instrumental music to provide students an inclusive, emotional, social, and intellectual experience. Our kids identify patterns in the music, they count and clap beats, and write and perform their own raps," said Linsey Miller, teacher and arts coordinator at the school.
Trapp was taken with the students.
"At times, I would stop playing my guitar and let the students continue their spontaneous reaction to the music," noted Trapp.
This was one of their favorite activities because they loved being in that moment of enjoying the music and then producing the sound by themselves.
"Music makes them come alive, even in their more tired moments. If the kids were in a funk, the music would bring them out of it." explained teacher Keisha Vasquez.
"Karlus brought our room to life with music. There were no misbehaviors when music lessons were happening because the students stayed motivated and focused," she added.
Trapp also played a concert for the entire school in the multi-purpose room and was joined by Hungerford paraprofessional and musician Rob Golterman. Golterman has been playing bass guitar since he was 16 and currently plays locally and in other boroughs. He also uses music in his interaction with Hungerford's students.
Interestingly, Trapp observed, students enjoy Beethoven and Bach as much as they like the Beatles. "And they are working on a different level than we would assume children would respond. These kids react positively to great music from any era, not just current popular music."
"Some students help the less able ones participate in the music program by either singing to them or helping them play instruments," observed Susan Fenley, Sundog's artistic director. For example, she told of a young student in a wheel chair whose classmate provided the other half of his rhythm beat by tapping a percussion stick against the companion stick he held in his hand. "The camaraderie and relationship these students have with one another is inspiring," she said.
Hungerford Principal Dr. Mary McInerney said the musical residency "helps our students develop self-awareness as well as improve their social, motor and verbal skills."
But the biggest raves for the music program come from the students themselves.
Student Anthony Williams said he enjoys the sing-alongs. "I like the sing alongs. My favorite is 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.' I played the maracas as we sang."
His classmate, Chris Fuggetta, said he enjoyed playing the tambourine., but added that he "liked to play the fiddle when we sang 'Old King Cole' together."
And student Derek Griffin can't wait for Trapp's return, wanting to know "When is the 'music man' coming back again?"
-Diane Lore Staten Island Advance
That proved to be the case when Sundog Theatre partnered with the Hungerford School in Clifton to provide a music program involving teaching artist Karlus Trapp and some 50 of the school's special-needs students of varying ages and disabilities.
Bringing his guitar to the classroom and working with students to teach them songs and rhythm, Trapp got students to respond and participate.
"Karlus interacts very well with all the students, and they love it. So does the staff," noted teacher Lenora Gillerman. "He adjusted his visits based upon the class-and the students' interests. He was able to reach every student regardless of their cognitive abilities," she said.
Sometimes the songs are familiar and all students join in, and other times Trapp taught them call and response songs or presented material that was new to them. Students became involved in various ways, either by singing or playing a percussion instrument such as symbols, maracas, or sticks, or by clapping.
Ms. Gillerman said she was able to use Trapp's musical visits as a springboard for lessons in other areas. "We learned about different types of musical instruments, made instruments as art projects, used the Internet to research information about their favorite songs, and used song lyrics to improve the students' reading abilities."
"Karlus helps our teachers use instrumental music to provide students an inclusive, emotional, social, and intellectual experience. Our kids identify patterns in the music, they count and clap beats, and write and perform their own raps," said Linsey Miller, teacher and arts coordinator at the school.
Trapp was taken with the students.
"At times, I would stop playing my guitar and let the students continue their spontaneous reaction to the music," noted Trapp.
This was one of their favorite activities because they loved being in that moment of enjoying the music and then producing the sound by themselves.
"Music makes them come alive, even in their more tired moments. If the kids were in a funk, the music would bring them out of it." explained teacher Keisha Vasquez.
"Karlus brought our room to life with music. There were no misbehaviors when music lessons were happening because the students stayed motivated and focused," she added.
Trapp also played a concert for the entire school in the multi-purpose room and was joined by Hungerford paraprofessional and musician Rob Golterman. Golterman has been playing bass guitar since he was 16 and currently plays locally and in other boroughs. He also uses music in his interaction with Hungerford's students.
Interestingly, Trapp observed, students enjoy Beethoven and Bach as much as they like the Beatles. "And they are working on a different level than we would assume children would respond. These kids react positively to great music from any era, not just current popular music."
"Some students help the less able ones participate in the music program by either singing to them or helping them play instruments," observed Susan Fenley, Sundog's artistic director. For example, she told of a young student in a wheel chair whose classmate provided the other half of his rhythm beat by tapping a percussion stick against the companion stick he held in his hand. "The camaraderie and relationship these students have with one another is inspiring," she said.
Hungerford Principal Dr. Mary McInerney said the musical residency "helps our students develop self-awareness as well as improve their social, motor and verbal skills."
But the biggest raves for the music program come from the students themselves.
Student Anthony Williams said he enjoys the sing-alongs. "I like the sing alongs. My favorite is 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.' I played the maracas as we sang."
His classmate, Chris Fuggetta, said he enjoyed playing the tambourine., but added that he "liked to play the fiddle when we sang 'Old King Cole' together."
And student Derek Griffin can't wait for Trapp's return, wanting to know "When is the 'music man' coming back again?"
-Diane Lore Staten Island Advance