Schoolhouse rock: Bruce Springsteen Archives teaming with Little Steven to rock classrooms
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They're rocking classrooms across the country.
Steven Van Zandt's TeachRock education program, which uses American music as a foundation for lessons in civics, literature, history, sociology, and more, is teaming with the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University to further expand the curriculum.
The TeachRock method will expand locally in the Asbury Park Middle School and High School with the Harmony Student Wellness program.
“If a kid is listening to Jay-Z, you can trace it back to Public Enemy, to James Brown, and then talk about the history that was going on at the time when the music came out,” said Van Zandt previously to the USA Today Network NJ. “‘I’m black and I’m proud.’ Well, what was that all about? There was this thing called Black Power that was necessary because we only got our civil rights legislation in 1964, voting rights in 1965. You get a chance to talk about those things in the context of music and what happens is remarkable.”
The system is used by more than 60,000 educators in over 30,000 schools in all 50 states of the U.S., according to TeachRock.
“Forming a partnership with the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music will only increase opportunities for students and teachers alike,” said Bill Carbone, executive director of the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, which oversees TeachRock, in a statement. “Both institutions share the same goals when it comes to education and the role music plays in it.”
TeachRock was a hit in the classroom of Victor Bayers at Middletown High School South.
“It’s like a godsend to a teacher,” said Bayers previously to the USA today Network NJ. “Not only are they getting musical aspects to the lesson but a lot of the lessons include historical events and societal issues.”
The Springsteen Archives serves as the official repository for the music and legacy of Springsteen, plus photographs, periodicals, oral histories, rare recordings, films, and artifacts related to the Boss and the E Street Band, which includes Van Zandt. The Center also preserves and promotes the legacy of American music.
“We’re truly excited to link arms with Stevie Van Zandt and the TeachRock team,” said Bob Santelli, Executive Director of the Springsteen Archives, in a statement. “As a former teacher myself, I know how effective TeachRock has been in the education arena. We hope to bring to the partnership ideas and programs that will make both TeachRock and the Archives more educationally productive than ever.”
In related news, the Springsteen and E Street Band shows postponed due to a Springsteen illness on Aug. 16 and 18 at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia will be rescheduled “very soon,” said a rep for the Philadelphia Phillies, the host team at the venue, to the USA Today Network NJ.
All tickets from the postponed concerts will be good for the new dates and refunds will be made available once the new dates are announced. Fans needing refunds are asked to go to Phillies.com/Springsteen where there will be a 30-day window to request a refund once dates are announced.
More: E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent shuts down Bruce Springsteen setlist complaint
More: Little Steven Van Zandt talks TeachRock, Sopranos and the next Springsteen, E Street tour
If you purchased tickets through secondary site, the refund must be administered through that site.
Coming up, band plays Thursday Aug. 24 and Saturday, Aug. 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and then three homecoming shows, Aug. 30, Sept. 1 and 3, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
TeachRock is offering charity packages for upcoming shows on the tour. Visit teachrock.org for more information.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen Archives teaming with Little Steven's TeachRock
