Post Road School students celebrate Black History Month through music, dance, history

Although winter weather postponed the original February date, the celebration of Black History Month at Post Road School proved well worth the wait, as students were treated Friday to an inspiring and insightful program highlighting Black achievement.

The performance, which was organized by fourth-grade teacher Michelle Brando-Henry, blended music, dance, art, history and modern technology to engage the packed audience.

Ms. Brando-Henry introduced the first performance, which focused on African history before the era of slavery in the United States. She explained that many African societies were organized around powerful kingdoms and empires led by kings and queens who guided their people with strength and wisdom.

Students took the stage to perform a piece titled “We Were From Kings and Queens,” which began and ended with the sound of drums, an instrument she described as deeply significant in African culture.

Drums, she explained, were often used during important events and symbolized the human heartbeat, representing life and continuity.

Later in the program, students performed additional musical selections using percussion instruments as brass horns to showcase the influence of African rhythms and musical traditions. The performances were accompanied by student dancers who added movement and visual storytelling to the music.

The students also were introduced to the concept of oral tradition in African music and were told that in African cultures, songs are learned by listening and repeating rather than reading from written sheet music.

To demonstrate this approach, students performed an African-focused song entirely from memory. The lesson continued with an exploration of two important musical concepts in African-American music: ornamentation and improvisation.

A teacher explained that ornamentation occurs when musicians decorate a melody by adding extra notes to make it more expressive. Famous singers such as Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston were highlighted as artists known for using this technique to enhance their performances.

Students also learned about improvisation, a hallmark of jazz music in which musicians create melodies spontaneously. Vibraphonist Roy Ayers was introduced as an example of a musician who uses improvisation to create musical “conversations” without words.

Art teacher Linnea Engles then connected the celebration to visual art and American history, describing the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans moved from the South to Northern, Midwestern and Western states during the early and mid-20th century seeking greater opportunities and freedom from discrimination.

Many of those migrants settled in Harlem, she explained, helping spark the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement during the 1920s and 1930s that produced influential African-American artists, writers and musicians.

Ms. Engles also introduced students to several prominent artists associated with African-American history and culture.

Painter Jacob Lawrence was known for colorful works depicting African-American life and historical events. Artist Romare Bearden became famous for collage art that combined magazine images, paper and fabric to portray scenes of Black life and culture. Artist and author Faith Ringgold created story quilts that blended painting, fabric and narrative to explore themes such as civil rights, women’s experiences and American history.

The assembly also incorporated modern technology through an interactive segment featuring artificial intelligence. Students watched as AI-generated images of famous Black athletes appeared on a large screen and delivered inspirational messages.

Among them was boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who encouraged students to believe in themselves and persevere through challenges. Ali’s message reminded students that greatness comes from determination and resilience.

“Everyone falls down sometimes,” the famed pugilist said in the video message. “Champions are the ones who get back up and try again.”

The digital athletes also included tennis star Serena Williams, baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, each offering words of encouragement about perseverance, courage and the importance of pursuing dreams.

Throughout the assembly, the blend of performances, storytelling and multimedia presentations kept students engaged while reinforcing the significance of Black history and culture.

Friday’s celebration was not only about honoring the past, but also about inspiring students to recognize their own potential.