In 2005, Michael Patrick Welch -- then columnist for New Orleans' OffBeat music magazine -- began a 'Music Writing' class for My House Center for Learning. The class taught kids how to interview musicians and write album reviews, which were published in OffBeat, April 2005.
The class' second half taught the kids to program a drum machine and operate a 4-track recorder, in order to record their own original rap and R&B tunes, under the band name The Luv Brats. A charity project to benefit My House was planned, based around the album. Then Katrina happened, and the album never saw light (except on WTUL, who rule).
In 2006, Mr. Michael was given a second chance to record another record with kids from the Young Audiences summer camp. Welch has taught his 'Music Writing' course for YA's after-school program ever since. The jukebox on this page contains songs from the latest class. To procure copies of all the songs (26 songs so far!), or to write an article about Mr. Michael's Class (a hilarious, heartwarming, downright IMPORTANT New Orleans education story), write to: michaelpatrickwelch@gmail.com
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