Ray Simien                                     

Beaumont, Texas                                                                

Assembly Performances

 “Safety Smart”                                         Grades: PreK-2

What happens if there’s a fire in your home? How do you stay safe in the water? What do you do if you get lost? In this fun program, musician and Beaumont firefighter Ray Simien performs original songs on his guitar to help young students remember the safety rules in high-risk situations. Students enjoy joining Mr. Simien in such songs as “Stop, Drop, and Roll”, “On the Right Side of the Road”,
and “Crossing the Street.”

“Jammin’ Through the Decades”                                               Grades: 3-5

Highlighting the music of southeast Texas artists from the 1940s through the 1990s, musician and songwriter Ray Simien shows students how music composition was influenced by political, cultural, and social events. Students learn history lessons about these turbulent decades through the music of well-known southeast Texas musicians such as Harry James, The Big Bopper, Janis Joplin, and Tracy Byrd.

 “Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime”                                                           Grades: 3-8                                                         

Born outside Linden, Texas, in 1868, Scott Joplin demonstrated his extraordinary talent for music at an early age. He combined classical music with African American harmony and rhythm in his ragtime music compositions. In portraying Scott Joplin, Ray Simien exposes the students to Joplin’s love of music along with the trials of an African American musician in the early 1900’s when ragtime and jazz were an emerging form of American music.

*A tuned piano is required.

 

“The Yellow Rose of Texas”                                                                                         Grades: 4-8

Hear about the Texas Revolution in a different way – through its music! By combining keyboard, guitar, singing, and creative dramatics, Ray Simien brings early Texas history to life. Students learn the history of The Yellow Rose of Texas, as well as other well-loved Texas songs. Mr. Simien demonstrates how music of the era reflected common emotions and values during this pivotal time in Texas history.

 

Single Performance Cost: $200

Back-to-back Performance Cost: $300 (any two programs)

Audience limit: 100

Performance length: 45 minutes