JFKS Music

The John-F.-Kenedy School & the American Church in Berlin
presented the

Advent and Christmas Caroling Service - Berliner Dom
December 2, 2009

dom

This Year's High School Musical
In the tradition of “Air Raid / Luftangriff”
an original musical
VOICES THROUGH THE WALL / STIMMEN DURCH DIE MAUER

In lieu of a more traditional musical, this year the JFKS Drama and Music Departments presented a special, self-created musical, one that reflects the momentous events that occurred 20 years ago in November of 1989 when the Berlin Wall came crashing down.

The show, written and directed by Dr. Charles McDaniel featured scenes and monologues that reflect the diverse experiences different individuals had with the wall and the hardships they faced.

Stimmen Durch Die Mauer / Voices Through The Wall focuses on individuals on both sides of the wall, East and West. Characters range widely, from soldiers guarding both sides of the wall to squatters in Kreuzberg to members of the Free German Youth to a pair of lovers separated by both the physical wall and the politics of the time. Although the play does provide a simple storyline, the main effect is that of a collage, a mixture of faces that captures the complexity and scope of the different experiences people on both sides of the wall went through.

The music used was the music of the time when the wall stood. The songs were chosen from the popular standards of both the East and the West . Each song comments on a particular aspect of the wall and reflects the feelings of the character who sings it.

Of course, in keeping with the bi-lingual, bi-cultural nature of the Kennedy school, the show itself was presented in both German and English, with projected subtitles in both languages so the entire community could understand and enjoy this special experience.

STIMMEN_DURCH_DIE_MAUER_Poster

Jazz in Rome

Three Students represent the Kennedy School in the International Jazz Band Festival in Rome. Oliver Gröling (drums), Moritz Zeidler (trumpet), and Max Fenner (alto saxophone) were selected to this year's jazz band. They submitted recordings to an audition committee in April 2009. These three Kennedy School students were selected along with 25 other students from around the world to participate.

After three days of intense rehearsals the International Honor Jazz Band performed a concert at the Marymount International School. The bigband played charts such as Decoupage, Indian Lady, The Lady is a Tramp, Caravan, Vehicle, What is Hip?, So Very Hard to Go, Send in The Clowns, and Got to Get You into My Life.

In addition to the Big Band Jazz combos did some work and also played a concert. Both Max and Oliver played in a combo that allowed the students to show off more of their improvisation skills. Unfortunately Moritz was unable to participate in a combo because of a lip injury he sustained during one of the big band rehearsals.

If you would like to see more pictures from the Festival then click HERE or click on the photo.