Spirit of music moves Ramtown students
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Richard Rivera, 9, plays the conga drums as students get their chance to participate in an assembly by Spirit Ensemble at the Ramtown school, Howell.

HOWELL - "Play 'dat pan man," said Melvin Dean, a member of the Spirit Ensemble, as he and five other master percussionists took students from the Ramtown Elementary School on a musical journey to Africa and the Caribbean.

The Spirit Ensemble, based in Teaneck, was invited to the school by the cultural arts committee of the Ramtown PTO to perform for students in an effort to promote diversity through music. The ensemble visited the school on Jan. 23.

According to Principal Laurie Zickler, "We want to plan activities throughout the school year that promote understanding of all cultures."

The Spirit Ensemble travels around the world educating youths about music and instruments from different lands. The members warm up the crowd with their soulful tunes created by instruments such as the steel drum from Trinidad and Tobago, the Kora, a harp-lute type of instrument from West Africa which dates back to the ninth century, and the conga drums.

Above, Ramtown school student Casey Ecklof tries to play the kora with some instruction from Salie Suso, of Gambia, West Africa, during an assembly featuring Spirit Ensemble, a musical group that plays traditional instruments from around the world. Below, Melvin Dean of the Spirit Ensemble "plays 'dat pan" on Jan. 23.

In addition to the wealth of information that was provided throughout the program, the students had a chance to interact with the band by coming up and playing the instruments. The children were cheered on by their fellow students and teachers as they explored and learned through this universal medium.

According to William Dotts, bass player and 25-year veteran of the Spirit Ensemble, this program is not only about having fun, it's about learning as well.

"This music is more informative and makes you think and dance," Dotts said.

In addition to thinking and dancing, Jimmy Cruiz, the ensemble's co-founder, said, "This program shows the diversity of world music, especially mother Africa. It also shows children that tradition is alive and well even in modern times."

First-graders Pareena Patel and Robbie Wetzel enjoyed the instruments and music from around the world. According to them, "We loved it." The 6-year-olds both expressed enthusiasm about the music and announced that they wanted a copy of the group's CD.

According to fourth-grade teacher Carmela Balassone, there is another diversity program on Ramtown's agenda. In February there will be an anti-bullying program led by Woodbridge native Samantha Hahn. The program will focus on preventing youth bullying, providing education and awareness of the problem, and showing the diversity of individuals through an anti-bullying message.

Balassone said these programs are about "understanding each other's differences."