Pro musicians, students, teachers and fans came together at the Apollo Theater on February 12 to celebrate a new education initiative based on an award-winning documentary feature film, “Take Me To The River.” The brainchild of director/producer Martin Shore, the film chronicles a project that spans generations, races and genders to create a new music collaboration centered on the Memphis music scene. 
Emceed by Shore, along with producer and musician Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, the evening brought its cross-generational theme to life with a fresh spin on timeless songs performed by classic Memphis artists, such as William Bell, Bobby Rush, Otis Clay and Stephanie Bolton, paired with young hip-hop and rap artists who included Frayser Boy, Al Kapone, Tori WhoDat and more. The evening began with remarks from Berklee College of Music President Roger H. Brown. The Take Me To The River Education Initiative, which has been piloted in New York City public schools, was developed in conjunction with the Berklee City Music program, a nonprofit education program from Berklee College of Music that enables youth from underserved communities to develop musically, academically, socially and emotionally, primarily through the study of contemporary music. 
The initiative helps students to do several things: make cross-curricular connections in music, the arts, history, social studies, civics, and media and studies, specifically as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement; develop skills in music analysis and creativity, music performance and composition, critical thinking, communication and political analysis; accommodate a variety of learning styles; and engage in inquiry-based and experiential learning. With this guide, students can learn the significance of intergenerational and interracial collaboration, the historical context of the Memphis music scene and the ways in which individuals make an impact on music, culture and history.
