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Would you appreciate the opportunity to be inspired? Do yourself a favor and watch this video, "Dream What Could Be Done," sung by children of Lanai High and Elementary School (LHES) Fifth Grade Class of 2020 under the direction of Matt Glickstein, educational assistant for the Department of Education, State of Hawaii.
Some of the children share their thoughts on homelessness:
"There's always something you can do." - KA
"If homeless people have no homes, we will build a home for them. We will help the kids get an education. We will help the adults to get jobs so they can make money." - KK
"One person can make a big difference, so give the stuff you don't need to a homeless shelter." - CP
"In the future I will stand up and talk to one city, two cities, three cities, or four cities. I don't care how many cities I go to, I only care about changing the world." - MB
"If we can all work together, we can do much more than you think." - AA-T
"What I know about some homeless people is that they talk to themselves sometimes, and that is because they don't have people to talk to." - KS
"I think everyone should have a home and a family. People in Africa and other parts of the world are hungry and eat from garbage cans, and drink dirty, polluted water. These people deserve fresh water and good food. They deserve it from the second they were homeless and/or hungry. It's not their fault." - LC
As Matt generously says, "The idea to compose 'Dream What Could Be Done' came from this blog." Matt posted the link to "Singing to the World" on a blog I had written about the Dalai Lama. I responded with enthusiasm and asked Matt if he could create a song and music video about homelessness.
Matt Glickstein is a songwriter and musician born and raised on O'ahu, Hawaii. His goal has always been trying to help people through music, the universal language. After ten years of writing many different kinds of songs, he found what he loves most by creating Songs For a Better World at http://www.mattglickstein.com/store.cfm.
The project started as an ordinary poetry assignment by LHES fourth grade teacher Sandy Patterson, who has personally supported our efforts, and turned it into something much, much more. First, through the creative energy inspired by writing about peace, the poems became lyrics. Then, with the help of Glickstein, the song, "Singing to the World" was born. The children's passion inspired ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro to accompany them in a music video.
As a post-script to this article, Matt informs me, "On September 21st, the Maui County Council is going to present the Lanai Class of 2020 with a resolution honoring the work they've done, including the 'Singing to the World' video, which was played at two events honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama in April of this year, and 'Every Day is Earth Day,' which won two contests, including one national contest."
Congratulations Lanai High and Elementary School (LHES) Fifth Grade Class of 2020 and Matt! And thank you for your wonderful, inspiring and compassionate songs!
I look forward to your comments.
Thank you,
Christine
"Songs For a Better World," in CD format now and DVD in the near future, are available for sale on the website http://www.mattglickstein.com as well as iTunes. - The Huffington Post
Matt Glickstein, a songwriter/composer from Hawaii, has just released “Steppingstone: A Benefit Ballad for Japan” on iTunes. A majority of the proceeds will be donated to The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Accompanying the song is a Youtube video, which illustrates the tragic events in Japan. Singer-songwriter Stasia Estep is the featured vocalist.
Matt, who lives in Lanai City, Hawaii, was on the island of Oahu with his wife, Kerri, when the earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck in Japan. A warning was issued for the Hawaiian islands, but the damage sustained was nothing compared to the devastation that rocked Japan. Inspired by the fortitude, discipline, cooperation, and endurance of the Japanese people, Matt felt it necessary to compose a tribute song dedicated to the people of Japan. The music speaks to the soul and tells the story of the tragedy, while offering a sense of hope.
By purchasing the song on iTunes (also available for sale on Matt’s website), people can play a small part in the recovery efforts for Japan so that families can soon gather again to create new and lasting memories. Matt is confident that the Japanese people will rebuild quickly and create a stronger community than ever before. - PR Web
Discography
Songs For a Better World
Piano Moods
Steppingstone: A Benefit Ballad for Japan
Set the Dog Free
Photos
Bio
Matt Glickstein is a songwriter and musician born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii. His commitment to helping the environment, his community, and those in need has led him to writing Songs for a Better World.
Songs For a Better World was inspired by the tragic events that took place in Japan’s earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. Glickstein was moved to create a music video tribute to bring comfort to all those affected, and composed Steppingstone: A Benefit Ballad for Japan.
In January 2012, Glickstein collaborated with students from Lanai High and Elementary School to write and record several songs and music videos. Working together with their classroom teacher, Glickstein and Lanai’s fourth grade class (Class of 2020) wrote songs of peace (Singing to the World), the environment (Everyday is Earth Day and Being Green), and more. The children’s passion inspired ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro to accompany them in their first music video. In April 2012, Singing to the World, was played at two public events in Honolulu featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The work of Glickstein and his students has generated local, national, and international recognition. Every Day is Earth Day won a national Project Earth 2012 Earth Day Contest and Dream What Could Be Done, a song and music video about Hawaii’s homeless, was featured in the Huffington Post. In honor of their accomplishments, Glickstein and his students were formally recognized by the Maui County Council, and received a Proclamation from Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa.
Glickstein currently lives in Lanai City, Hawaii with his wife, Kerri and works as an Educational Assistant at Lanai High and Elementary School. For more information on Glickstein and Songs for a Better World, please visit his website.
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