Peabody holiday concert inappropriate song selection
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Anonymous
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Curious do other DC public schools perform super religious songs in their holiday concerts? The Peabody music teacher had the kindergarten students perform "Mary Had a Baby:"
Mary had a baby (My Lord) Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord) Mary had a baby (My Lord) The people keep coming but the train has gone Where did she lay him (My Lord) Where did she lay him (Oh My Lord) Where did she lay him (My Lord) The people keep coming but the train has gone Laid him in a manger (My Lord) Laid him in a manger (Oh My Lord) Laid him in a manger (My Lord) The people keep coming but the train has gone What did she name him? (My Lord) What did she name him? (Oh My Lord) What did she name him? (My Lord) The people keep coming but the train has gone When parents complained, the principal apparently called it a "negro spiritual" and said if you don't like it, your kids can sit it out. This seems wholly inappropriate and insensitive for a DC public school. Is this the norm across the city? |
Anonymous
| This is a spiritual, OP. It’s fine. |
Anonymous
| What's wrong with it? |
Anonymous
| So Kumbaya is out? |
Anonymous
| Atheist mom raising an interfaith kid here. I have zero issue with singing culturally rich, Christian religious songs, as long as they don't dominate, and as long as it's not "Christmas all week." To cut out the religious music is to cut out all of the most beautiful and inspired music. Do you really want Frosty on repeat? I also appreciate the school making some effort to discuss other winter holidays like Hannukah. I was tickled to see all the boys in after care today playing dreidel! |
Anonymous
| I mean its a public school? |
Anonymous
| To me this is less religious and more code for the underground railroad and fascinating history. |
Anonymous
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I fail to see what the issue is, OP? |
Anonymous
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It’s a spiritual. Choirs in public schools sing them all the time. Most classical choral repertoire has religious text too. Like if you are singing Mozart in Latin, you are probably singing a Glory to God in the highest or something like that.
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Anonymous
| Inappropriate. |
Anonymous
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I believe it’s train done gone.
Also, it’s a great song so it’s ok by me. We had some Santa and reindeer type stuff today at charter and id kinda rather have had this song. Mixed in with several completely random songs. |
Anonymous
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I am not sure that “negro spirituals” are appropriate for kindergarteners. I am fine with them for older children who are learning about slavery and the civil war in history class who them learn them in music class.
The music teacher knew they overreached. |
Anonymous
Have you researched the song and it's history OR just posted here to complain? Maybe the parents who are complaining should do more to understand the history of the song as well as cultural sensitivity? |
Anonymous
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I am fine with this and hope they included traditional songs from many times and cultures. It is educational.
And left the Frosty and Rudolph off the program. |
Anonymous
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I think it is inappropriate for Kindergarten, and especially if not in a program representing a variety of cultural traditions.
And more troubling is the Principal’s response, as described here. Activism over kids and community. |