Andrew Taylor on the Business of Arts & Culture
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For those about to rock
Posted: November 12, 2007
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In an interesting twist on more traditional arts education, Bruce Springsteen sidekick ''Little Steven'' Van Zandt is pushing for new emphasis on the classics in middle and high school -- that is, classic rock 'n' roll. Van Zandt's foundation is announcing a new curriculum resource today. Says the USA Today article:
The plan is to distribute a 40-chapter curriculum, including teachers' guide, lesson plans, DVDs, CDs and Web-based resources, free, beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, to the nation's 30,000 or so middle and high schools.
Van Zandt is concerned that classic rock 'n' roll is less relevant and resonant with with a new generation of teens, which is partly why he's pushing the curriculum. Says he:
''We're trying to reach everybody, whether a musician, a rock 'n' roll fan or not. We're going to make a case that this art form is so interesting that you will be absolutely compelled to listen to it, and maybe even learn how to play it.''
It's official: I'm middle-aged.