 |
 |
OUR 10TH NATIONAL GATHERING The tenth annual Children's Music Network National Gathering was held in a beautiful rustic setting at Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York, the weekend of October 13-15, 2000. This multi-generational event attracted musicians, educators, radio broadcasters, songwriters, performers, storytellers, children, parents, and others from all over North America who came together to foster cooperation, cultural diversity, self-esteem, and empowerment through music for young people. The gathering offered fun and interesting workshops and song swaps for children and adults, and it provides lots of opportunities for networking and learning within a stimulating and encouraging environment. As always, attendees experienced singing, dancing, networking, celebrating, and, of course, the traditional Friday- and Saturday-night round-robin concert. Our keynote speaker this year was legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, a long-time Children's Music Network member. Pete Seeger's songs are rooted in the lives, the stories, and the struggles of the people all across this land and all around the world. Pete Seeger has been honored and beloved for being a central figure in the modern-day "folk music revival." From the 1930s, when he began playing with Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly, through his almost sixty years of activism in the labor, peace, civil rights, and environmental movements, he has steadfastly held the belief that everyone should be able to participate in making music. Also at the 2000 gathering, children's music pioneer Marcia Berman was honored with CMN's Magic Penny Lifetime Achievement Award. Based in Los Angeles, Marcia Berman is known throughout the country among parents, educators, professional associations, and fellow children's music artists for her contributions to the field of children's music. Throughout her career, spanning more than forty years, she has recorded over twelve albums of songs for children, ten of which were done in collaboration with songwriters, singers, dancers, storytellers, musicians, and children. Several generations of children have been raised on her albums, and several generations of teachers have benefited from her workshops at their schools, colleges, and conferences.
|
