It appears this book is the first and only music-infused Civil Rights curriculum in the United States.
The history focuses on the Civil Rights and Anti War Movements of the latter part of the 20th century. Also discussed are the Anti-slavery beginnings of the former and the pro-labor Folk roots of the latter. The Vietnam War, the Women’s Movement, Earth Day, Watergate Scandal and liberation of South Africa are also part of the historical narrative.
When shown an advance copy, music legend and scholar Buffy Sainte-Marie applauded the book and said it is “beautifully written”. Sainte-Marie has an earned Ph.D. in Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts.
In addition to the engaging text, permission was granted by the John Lennon Estate for use of the lyrics to Imagine. The four heirs of the Marvin Gaye Estate gave both the lyric and sound rights to What’s Going On ? Full rights were also granted for both lyrics and recordings by Nina Simone, James Brown, Buffalo Springfield, Country Joe and the Fish, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Chambers Brothers, The O’Jays, McFadden and Whitehead, Strong & Whitfield, and Curtis Mayfield for their songs Mississippi Goddam, Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud, For What It’s Worth, The Feel Like I'm Fixin’ to Die Rag, Fortunate Son, Time Has Come Today, For the Love of Money, Wake Up Everybody, War and Pusherman, respectively. Sound recording rights to TheEve of Destruction by Barry McGuire and I Ain’t Marchin’ Anymore by Phil Ochs were also granted. All of which will appear on a CD going in the teachers’ editions for use in the classroom.
Oscar winning composer, Civil Rights leader and educator Buffy Sainte-Marie gave the full rights to Universal Soldier and her interview appears in the book along with interviews with Judy Collins and Janis Ian who also gave the full rights to Society’s Child. Folk and Civil Rights legend Pete Seeger also granted an interview and donated Where Have All the Flowers Gone. Two-time Grammy winner, Message Music Founding Father, Kenny Gamble not only donated two of the aforementioned songs, but also wrote the introduction and his interview appears in the book as well.
An extraordinary aspect of this work is the outpouring of concern from the entertainment community. The immense stature of the stars involved and their willingness to help elevate the struggling school system is extraordinary. For years now the music industry has run campaigns with Rock stars urging that music education be kept in the schools. The most recent round of federal budget cuts have been harsh and the Arts and Music are getting hit very hard. Philadelphia [Pa.] is an urban school district of predominantly Black and Hispanic students. To their credit, these musical stars and legends actually put their money where their mouths are and donated all the lyric and recording rights secured in this project. The work and its participants are an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when creative people of goodwill care deeply about people, education and the Arts.
To Read An Excerpt 
or click
"OBSERVATIONS"