Video: Local School Takes A Ride On The ‘Soul Train’ For Black History Presentation

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Parents and visitors to a Tupelo elementary school take a funky train ride as part of a Black History Month celebration. As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, while last week’s snowstorm delayed the program, it did not diminish the students’ excitement for a music style that was a big part of their parents’ and grandparents’ lives.

This black history program focused on music.
After a brief look at several musical styles, fourth graders at Lawhon Elementary recreated “Soul Train.”

“The kids found out about Soul Train, a lot of them didn’t know about it, they didn’t know about the television show,” said Lawhon Music Teacher Hope Barker, who introduced the students to the popular television show and the important role it played in launching the careers of African American singers and songwriters such as the Temptations and helped groups cross the race barrier to all audiences.

This musical trip down memory lane was a lot of work. Students had to audition for each part, they began working on the music before Christmas and have been rehearsing for the past two weeks.

Still, these fourth graders say they have had fun, built self confidence and learned a lot about the contributions African American music has made to society.

“What I liked about is, all my friends are dancing and so am I, and I get to hang out with my friends as I dance and sing,” said Johnathan Rogers, who played the role of Host Don Cornelius.

“I was real nervous about it because I had never sung in public like that before,” said Joslyn Freeman, who played Michael Jackson.
“I learned that music played a big role in history,” said Mary Hodges, who was a narrator.

Soul Train was known as “the hippest trip in America” and these students have learned how a television show broke down barriers in race, music and culture.
Last year, Lawhon fifth graders produced a “Soul Train” play. It was so popular they decided to do another one this year, with some tweaking.