My Violin Weighs A Ton

About "My Violin Weighs A Ton"

"My Violin Weighs A Ton" (MVWAT) is the realization of a unique vision that Hip-Hop Artist and Mental Health Advocate, Archie Green crafted and is bringing to life in order to engage, educate, and inspire a new generation.

Archie has been a Hip-Hop Artist for over twenty years, and in that time span he's also become a fan of classical music, having played musical instruments in high school, and attended various concerts at the world-renowned Severance Hall in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Archie also understands the power of music, and how it can be used to overcome obstacles, deal with painful experiences, and even help individuals cope with mental illness.  The students participating in this project are a part of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which according to a 2017 CDC study  are leading the nation in Suicide rates (2 in every 10 high schoolers having attempted suicide in 2015).

In January of 2019,  Archie and his Mental Health Advocacy group, Peel Dem Layers Back  (PDLB), was granted the opportunity to bring MVWAT to life.  For the four-month- long performance project, Archie and PDLB have partnered with Lexington-Bell Community Center  (LBCC), an urban youth educational center located in the historic Cleveland neighborhood of Hough. MVWAT is an interactive experience that will allow the students at the Lexington-Bell Community Center to create and perform hip-hop with a classical twist.

Preschoolers at Lexington-Bell Community Center  

About The Title
The name My Violin Weighs A Ton is a tribute to "My Vinyl Weighs A Ton" an influential hip-hop record by DJ Peanut Butter Wolf released in 1999 on Stones Throw Records.  At the time of its release, rock critic John Bush commented, "My Vinyl Weighs a Ton boasts deep beats and choice samples, all of them working brilliantly together.”  The title is meant to evoke the sentiment that in this project there will be an intersection of hip-hop and classical music.

Three Areas of Growth
The children participating in MVWAT are between 5-12 years old. Each phase of the program will focus on three areas of growth for the youth participants:

1. Acts of Kindness
 During the program, students will be learning about, and doing, acts of kindness through special workshops and exercises (such as Car Window Poetry), musical instruction (with The Cleveland Classical Guitar Society), and field trips (to Severance Hall and moCa Cleveland)

2. Parental Engagement
MVWAT will involve the entire family. As students learn how to play classical instruments and write original rap lyrics and poetry, they will be sharing these experiences with their parents. At the end of the project, the students will produce and perform in a special recital that will be attended by their family members.

3. Social Anxiety
In efforts to relieve the stresses that youth faces due to social media and peer pressure to be perfect, students will be encouraged to tap into their abundant wells of creativity without limits or judgement—and with the assurance that the most beautiful works of art are often the result of beautiful accidents.


Creative Writing Workshops
The students will learn, practice, and develop their songwriting and lyrical prowess.  They will attend creative workshops—giving them the basics behind hip-hop and classical music, and helping them see how to use songwriting as a form of creative expression. 

Cleveland Classical Guitar Instructor gives lesson to students

Classical Guitar Lessons
The students will be taking guitar and piano lessons from the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society (CCGS).  The students will be immersed in the process by creating their own original songs, along with learning traditional hip-hop covers. The songs will have a blend of both hip-hop's touches on lyricism and performance, along with the elements of frisson (or musical chills) from the accompaniment of classical instruments. 

Nas performs with National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center

Culminating Special Concert at a Historic Venue
Inspired by the likes of Nas, Kanye West  and Jay-Z—each of whom has performed with orchestras at iconic venues—, MVWAT will culminate with a concert in which these young people will perform in front of family, friends, and music lovers at a chamber music hall.  The students will work through dress rehearsals and final preparations for the main event. Archie will also present a special performance of his new hip-hop/classical project, I Like To Be Wierd, accompanied by a six-piece ensemble.

 Where the Children Will Perform: The Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall

WHY WE NEED YOUR CONTRIBUTION
In order to provide this magnificent, life-changing experience for our students and attendees, we are asking for financial support from the wider community. It is the goal of MVWAT to end with a culminating concert at the iconic, historic Severance Hall, located in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood.  

 

June 2019

June 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th - Cleveland Classical Guitar Society Lessons (1PM-3PM)

June 7th - 1st Meeting Date w/students, Creative Writing Workshop 1 - 

“If I Ruled The World” - Nas

June 19th - moCa Cleveland tour

June 21st - Creative Writing Workshop 2 -

"Old Town Road"

June 28th - Severance Hall tour - 1:30PM

July 2019

July 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd - Cleveland Classical Guitar Society Lessons (1PM - 3PM)

July 12th - Parents Program Rehearsal (3-4:30PM)

July 19th - Parents Program Rehearsal (3-4:30PM)

July 26th - Parents Program Performance - 1-2 Songs - (4-6PM)

August 2019

August 15 - Marketing/Promo Photo Shoot

August 16 - Classical Guitar Rehearsal

August 24 - Music Director Arrives from NYC

Aug 28, 30 - Music Director, Performing Artist rehearse with Students at Lexington-Bell

September 2019

September 2-6 - Rehearsals with Chamber Ensemble

September 9 - 12 - Rehearsals with Chamber Ensemble & Lexington-Bell Students

September 13 - Concert at Severance Hall

Archie has been a Hip-Hop Artist for over twenty years, and in that time span he's also become a fan of classical music, having played musical instruments in high school, and attended various concerts at the world-renowned Severance Hall in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Archie also understands the power of music, and how it can be used to overcome obstacles, deal with painful experiences, and even help individuals cope with mental illness.  The students participating in this project are a part of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which according to a 2017 CDC study  are leading the nation in Suicide rates (2 in every 10 high schoolers having attempted suicide in 2015).

In January of 2019,  Archie and his Mental Health Advocacy group, Peel Dem Layers Back  (PDLB), was granted the opportunity to bring MVWAT to life.  For the four-month- long performance project, Archie and PDLB have partnered with Lexington-Bell Community Center  (LBCC), an urban youth educational center located in the historic Cleveland neighborhood of Hough. MVWAT is an interactive experience that will allow the students at the Lexington-Bell Community Center to create and perform hip-hop with a classical twist.