Yes, we have been playing music on my old record player to inspire art for the Art Show, mostly musicals which the children thoroughly enjoy. My record albums are well loved, slightly yellowed and musty – much like a good book.
More than the music, it’s the songs children are loving, and most of those songs are by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Today I was talking with my fellow teachers about the songs.
Me: “You know the greatest songs from musicals were from Rodgers and Hammerstein.”
Blank stare. Very blank.
Me: “You don’t know Rodgers and Hammerstein?”
Shaking heads ‘no’. Still not speaking.
Me: “Okay, I will sing you a song you definitely know. It’s a classic. You’ll know the song, but you might not realize it’s by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
I started singing, “When you walk through a storm hold your head up high, and don’t be afraid of the dark.” I was animated. I was in the zone.
Nothing. They had no clue.
Really? I swallowed hard, smiled, and suggested we look at the song on the big screen. “It’s from a musical called “Carousel”, maybe you’ll recognize the song if we watch it from the movie.”
Then the fun and laughs began.
We pulled up the song from from the movie, and I had to explain:
Me: “That guy is the father, but he’s dead. He’s with his daughter at her high school graduation.”
My Team: “That’s a dead guy?”
Me: “Well, yes, he was a bad guy.”
My team is now laughing, trying to understand how this can be a framework for a song I’ve convinced them will make them cry.
As we watched and listened, I was the one who cried, grabbing onto their arms as he said goodbye to his wife and finally went to heaven, trying to explain while sobbing. My team smiled; they love me and I love them. Clearly they did not ‘get it’, but I gave them a taste of wonderful songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Then I told them a story:
When I was in high school, movies were on TV after the 11:00 news. My sister and I watched “Carousel”, and were engrossed. Suddenly our mother came down the stairs to watch the movie with us. She knew this movie. Our mother cried. It was the first time we had seen our mother cry. I’ll never forget that.
Here’s to music, Rogers and Hammerstein, and all the songs that make us sob, sing with joy, and remember.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
awww, such a poignant memory and so nice you shared it
Thank you, Beth. 🥰
Thank you, Jennie, for evoking such memories of my Dad singing along to his record of the soundtrack from Carousel. ❤️
I’m so glad to know this brought back those memories of your dad. I know exactly how he felt! Thank you! 😍
I saw Carousel at the Westbury Music Theater in the round and never forgot it!
I’m glad to know that, GP. What a musical! I still get ‘filled up.’
Agreed!
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My depth of exposure to this particular song by R&H was more via Concert Choir in High School. As a soprano, it was hard for me to sing clearly during the climax as tearing up triggers a closing of the throat. 😉 As a teenager, those words “…walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart and…You’ll Never Walk Alone” resonated deeply (along with other choir pieces like, “There’s a Place For Us” West Side Story, etc). This is why we need music in the schools!!!
And, about that encounter with your colleagues: those moments of ‘natural’ segues of ‘teaching’ others in the wide world of musical expression beyond youtubeshorts are most rewarding. Great one, teacher! Sob on!
Laura, I absolutely loved and smiled at your comment. Your story is exactly how I feel- tearing up triggers a closing of the throat. Oh, those R&H words! I’m not sure I could have sung this in a school choir. When I was 10-years-old, I had a choice as my birthday present, take a few friends to a local amusement park, or take one friend to see the play “Oklahoma.” I chose wisely, and the rest is history. Yes, the song from West Side Story fills and stabs my heart. Honestly, I think music gives people a way to feel, and that is exactly why schools need music. It gives children a way to find kindness and goodness. That’s what’s lacking in education. As to my colleagues, they got a taste of something wonderful. Yes, sob on!!
Wasn’t this the song Jerry Lewis sang at the end of every Telethon? I still get choked up thinking about it and cannot listen to it without crying, either, my sister from another mister. ❤
I think you’re right! I feel exactly the same way. Thanks for reminding me of Jerry Lewis, Annette!
Thank you, Jennie. I remember, too. Such beautiful music. 🥰❤️🥰
I’m so glad you remember, and enjoyed! 🥰
🥰❤️🥰
The sings from stage musicals and film musicals stay with us through life. I remember so many from my childhood, from films like ‘South Pacific’, ‘Seven Brides For Seven Brothers’, all the Astaire-Rogers films, and so many more.
Best wishes, Pete.
Yes, yes!! ‘South Pacific’ is probably my favorite. R&H is music that has stuck with me forever. I’m still ‘getting over’ how my teammates don’t know this music. Best to you, Pete.
We put on “Carousel” when I was in high school. There’s nothing like Rodgers & Hammerstein music!
Lucky you! Did you have a hard time singing without choking up? Yes, R&H music is the best!
When I lived in Connecticut I appeared in a community theater production of Carousel. I played Jigger Kragen. Got some nice reviews for a bad guy and did love the solo “Blow High Blow Low”. It was moving that all through rehearsals the chorus members one at a time would start crying while singing You’ll Never Walk Alone. Thanks for the memories, Jennie.
You were Billy’s friend, a con man. Way to go playing a bad guy. I can picture and understand the chorus members crying at that powerful song. Thank you for telling me this story, John. I’m glad it brought you memories.
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Hammerstein was a great American poet. A kudo to you, Jennie, for introducing him to the little ones,
He was, indeed! The little ones soak up the music, especially when it is good. How could my fellow teachers not know this song? Trying to explain it was like a Laurel and Hardy moment. At least I opened the door. Best to you, Don.
I know Rodgers and Hammerstein but, not that musical. I love musicals how did I miss this one? I’ll be watching it this week.
I cry reading books, and movies, but my mom never does. 😊
Oh, this is a great one, although all R&H musicals are great, right? Please let me know what you think after you watch the movie.
My mother never cries, so this was a shock for me. I’m not sure I remember her crying after that movie. Maybe that was the only time.
I’m like you! As you read in the post, my tears flowed trying to introduce this song to my fellow teachers! Best to you, Deborah.
I will report back! 😊
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I started it last night. I love Shirley Jones!!
Hooray! I do, too!
Music can be so powerful!
Oh, yes!
My mother loved musicals, Jennie. She played those albums often. I didn’t cry, but I remember. I think it’s great that you introduce the children to this.
That’s a lovely memory of your mother and musicals, and you listening. Even if you didn’t cry, you remembered, which is a good thing. Thank you for your kind words, Dan.
I always tear up over this one.
Me, too! Always.
I imagine there is a direct correlation to age when it comes to musicals and Rodgers and Hammerstein, just as us aren’t that well versed in modern pop culture. Most of your blogging buddies immediately knew the reference. I bet there are some children who probably had never seen a record player until they got to your classroom. I can remember being fascinated by the needles and the grooves on the record when I was a child.
By the way, we just got into Sioux Falls tonight and will be hanging out with Jack for the next eight days. I’ll be looking for the Goodnight Moon books you gifted Ryan and Meighan..
I’m sure it’s an age thing, although it makes me sad that young(er) adults aren’t familiar with R&H. I remember being fascinated by the shiny parts on the record that separated each song. Great memories, right? And yes, most children have not seen a record player, which makes it all the more exciting.
Have fun with Jack, and happy reading Goodnight Moon! I hope you send a few photos!
Beautiful memories and so nice to teach children with music. A wonderful post Jennie 😊
Thank you, Kamal!
I love the music from Carousel, especially June is Busting Out All over. The message, however did not age well. Watching it now, I can’t get past him being an abuser.
I do, too! Sometimes I think June is Busting Out All Over is from Oklahoma, but it’s from Carousel. I understand what you mean about watching it now.
Well now you have me in tears. It’s funny how we take for granted everyone knows what we know. Even people my own age stare at me blankly when I quote from a movie or play. But on the other hand I recently babysat a ten year old who loves all the old musicals and we watched South Pacific and Oklahoma together. Go figure!
Yes, yes!! I will always cry at that song, Darlene. John commented that he was in his high school play of Carousel, and members of the chorus always cried at this song.
Adults who don’t know R&H, and a 10-year-old who does; go figure! I would LOVE to watch South Pacific and Oklahoma with a child!
I know. Her parents enrolled her in dance classes and the dance teacher introduced her to R & H songs. So she wanted to watch the movies. That’s why it’s so great that you introduce children to a variety of music.
I’m smiling! 😍
It’s now a different world, that’s for sure! I love that music, too…
Sadly yes, and I’m so glad you love the music!
I must have watched that film around 4 times and each time I cried… Thank you Jennie ,,,,Music for the soul…. ❤ Have a beautiful weekend..
It is music for the soul! I’m glad to know you cried, Sue. Both our hearts are filled! 💕
🙂 ❤ xx
It’s a beautiful song. I played in the orchestra for a production of Carousel and remember it well.
I don’t really think he was a bad guy. He meant well but was under pressure from some bad influences.
So sad that current educators haven’t heard of Rogers and Hammerstein. They wrote some classics.
How lucky that you played in the orchestra for Carousel. I’m glad you remember it well.
Like you, I don’t think he was really a bad guy. That’s why he came back to make things right. That’s what makes the movie and the song so powerful.
I’m still sad that so many educators haven’t heard of R&H. Yes, they are the gold standard.
Always welcome Jennie 😊
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My senior year of high school the theater department did Carousel. I was in the orchestra pit so I ended up learning everything about the show, even though I wasn’t on stage. I remember the song, very moving.
Yes, indeed! You’re lucky you were part of such great music!
Hi Jennie, I also grew up listening to musicals. Mame, My Fair Lady and Cabaret. The songs from musicals are still my favourite.
Oh, the younger generation, they have no idea what they’re missing. I loved all the musical movies. Last year I went to see Brigadoon at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and My Fair Lady. What great musicals and ones that I had seen as movies on TV many times. You have a great memory of Carousel and your mom.
You are so right, they have no idea what they’re missing! Thanks for sharing the musicals you saw. A play performance is the ‘real deal’. Glad you liked my Carousel memory.