Northwood Elementary

Arrrg - it's frustrating not being able to speak! Tomorrow I'll be singing "Oklahoma Annie" with Evalyn's first grade class during her school's weekly "Rocket Launch" assembly. It's their turn to be the featured class and Evalyn's teacher asked if we could do this. So I haven't spoken all day in order to hopefully let my voice recover, since I brought it home pretty shredded from my last two days of performing.


Friday I did three programs at Northwood Elementary in Seminole, OK, one each for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. These were relatively small groups, gathered in the library. I did an abbreviated "Oklahoma CenTUNEial" program of four or five songs, with some question and answer and discussion of how I did the research and songwriting thrown in. These all went really really well. I enjoyed the extra back and forth with the kids.

The faculty fed me a wonderful potluck lunch and then it was off to Fort Smith, AK for a night in a hotel. I found it highly ironic that after a year and a half of songwriting, recording, and performing for the Oklahoma Centennial, on the evening of the actual event, I was off spending the night by myself in Arkansas. Ah, well.

Saturday morning I did two shows for "Breakfast With Santa" at the convention center in Fort Smith. Here I am with Santa and Mrs. Clause, and then with my four lovely assistants, who gathered kids for my show and then sat with them to help with participation.



My voice was might croaky for both Santa shows, but my host kindly claimed not to notice. And maybe she really didn't - people don't know what I'm supposed to sound like, and they often express surprise that I'm having any trouble with my voice. To me it sounds awful! But if I just power on as if nothing is wrong, my audience reacts about the same as usual.

I'm very thankful that my voice held out at all for the last of my November programs! Now I get a nice long break from touring while I contemplate bug songs for the Summer 08 reading programs.

Stoneridge in Piedmont and Sacred Heart in El Reno

I got through my morning show at Stoneridge in pretty good shape. By the afternoon, my voice actually felt a bit stronger. Let's hope that trend continues!

At Sacred Heart I performed for Pre-K through 6th grade. First to enter the room was a group of three-year-olds, and they were each carrying a paddle-shaped fan with my face on it and the words "Monty Harper Fan Club" on the back! I was flabbergasted, to say the least. They had been listening to my Jungle Junk cd, and were clamoring to hear "The Kid Who Ate a Bug."

Well, that song is not normally part of my "Oklahoma CenTUNEial" program, not to mention that the Oklahoma program isn't really designed for three year olds, so I wasn't sure how this would all pan out. But I was amazed at how sweet and well behaved those little ones were through the whole program, so naturally I tagged "The Kid Who Ate a Bug" to the end for them - how could I not?

Tomorrow, Northwood in Seminole, then Saturday it's "Breakfast With Santa" in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Ironically, after all the effort I've put into celebrating Oklahoma's centennial, which is tomorrow, I'll be spending that evening in a hotel room in Arkansas! Life is weird sometimes.

I won't get to post again until Saturday at the earliest, so I'll say it now:

Happy 100th, Oklahoma!!

Chisholm Elementary in Edmond

I did two shows today in Chisholm Elementary with my croaky voice. The kids didn't seem to mind that. Both groups were great participators and seemed to enjoy the show. The painting I'm posing in front of is just one of a dozen or so that cover the cafeteria walls. Very cool!

Three days to go...

Millwood and Cordell

I wish I could've been running a video camera from onstage during "The Wind Energy Song" at Cordell Elementary today! The kids did such a great job - it looked really cool. I did the next best thing and took a photo of the audience from the stage after the show. I also stopped at Thomas on the way home and took some photos of the wind farm that stretches along Highway 40 right there. So you can combine the two photos in your imagination!

Oh, man, I have nightmares like the way today started out, where I have a show about to start while one thing after another keeps me from getting there to set up. Meanwhile the audience is arriving...

I'll give you the quick version: I got lost on the way to the school, got lost in the wrong building, got lost in the right building, and got lost looking for the auditorium. By the time I carted my sound system into the room to set up it was five minutes to showtime and the Pre-K were already seated.

But my contact person at Millwood was great and we got it all sorted out.

Then there was the run in with the police (wrong way on a one way street) and the misbehaving sound system at Cordell, plus my voice nearly giving out. But as you already saw, that one turned out well in the end.

I don't think I've ever had such a string of bad luck on one day! Wish me good luck for the next four!

Geary, Oklahoma, Geary, Oklahoma, Geary Oklahoma

I had a fun time in Geary, OK today. I performed for PreK-4th, then after lunch I met with three small groups to talk about songwriting and share some extra songs. The 3rd and 4th grade group seemed especially interested and we got into all sorts of details about the mechanics of creating melody.

Tomorrow Duncan, and twelve shows next week!

P.S. Here's a photo of "Annie," a puppet named after the pony in Evalyn and my song, "Oklahoma Annie"!

Eufaula Elementary

Wow, this morning I got to be a rock star! The kids at Eufaula have been listening to my CDs. They recognized me in the hallway when I arrived and were excited to see me, giving high fives and even asking for autographs. This was the first time I did my Oklahoma program for a group who had learned the songs ahead of time. I absolutely loved hearing the kids sing right along! That's the kind of stuff that makes this a fun job!

The librarian, Robyn Burris, even wrote a new verse for my "Oklahoma Heroes at the Library" song! Here it is, but I'm not going to supply the answer - you'll know it anyway.

She was a small town girl attending NSU
When she left Oklahoma for her tv debut.
On American Idol she could not be beat,
Her songs have topped the country charts week after week.
Her family in Checotah always knew she was good.
Sing a song at the library with...

I learned a couple of new greetings for the "Howdy Song," as well...

In Afghanistan they say "sing-gay" and the word for friend is "jor-day."
Also, the Creek say "stungo."

Immanuel Christian Academy, Martin Regional Library

This morning's Oklahoma CenTUNEial Celebration program was at Immanuel Christian Academy in Broken Arrow. A student took these photos after the show. I was invited to stay for lunch, and enjoyed talking with the kids.



Then it was off to Martin Regional where I did another of the programs centered around the book Tomas and the Library Lady. As you can see they have a very colorful and cozy little story time room. It was fun singing in there.

I have a very early morning drive tomorrow to Eufaula! Then on Saturday, two more Tulsa Library shows. I hope to see you at one of them!

Prague Elementary

I had a fun day performing at Prague Elementary! The kids were fantastic. I can't believe what super audiences I had. Both the PreK - 1st grade group and the 2nd and 3rd grade group were enthusiastic participators and singers, yet at the same time they became quiet and attentive after each song without my having to say anything. That kind of cooperation always brings out my best performance, and I just really enjoyed singing for these kids today! It's great to have days like this that remind me why I do what I do!

Thanks to my wonderful host, Karen Taylor, for taking these photos!

Eliot Elementary, Tulsa OK

I was up rather early, driving through the rain in the dark to an 8:00 AM program at Eliot Elementary School in Tulsa this morning. This was my third visit to Eliot, although it was their first time to see the "Oklahoma CenTUNEial" program. The kids were great (as always), and afterwards I got to meet and greet some students in the library for CD sales (see the photo).

More Tulsa shows are coming up at several library branches. The next is this Thursday at Broken Arrow at 7:00 PM. Check out my schedule for more dates, and I'll see you at the library!

St. Mary's in Edmond

I did my "Oklahoma CenTUNEial Celebration" program for St. Mary's Episcopal School in Edmond, OK this morning. The kids were wonderful! Thanks to Cathy Pugsley for this photo!

We watched the big centennial parade on TV yesterday. It's getting pretty exciting - only 32 days to go to November 16. Happy 100th birthday, Oklahoma!

Oklahoma School for the Blind

What a show today at the Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee!

This was their big Centennial celebration, with a day's worth of activities planned. All the kids and teachers were dressed in period costume, as you can see, with authentic hand-sewn bonnets! The lady in the fabulous purple hat is the librarian, Sandi Hilbern. She was my host, and she and the kids made me feel like a star. The kids had learned my songs, and they sang and participated with gusto. After the program they went outside to reenact the land run.

Many thanks to my friend Sara Dunlap who took these photos!

Praise for CenTUNEial Celebration

I finally got around to compiling some of the comments I received from librarians and others about my "Oklahoma CenTUNEial Celebration" program this summer. This was a fun job!

A few of these were in my recent MontyNews letter. Here is the whole shebang.

Oh yes, and if you're interested in the program for your school, more information is on my website at MontyHarper.com.

Now I'm off to bed, if I can just get my head through the door...

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"The original Oklahoma songs were the best part about the program. The children were learning about Oklahoma history as they sang their hearts out. Many parents thanked me for booking such a great performer."
- Patty Young, Youth Services Librarian, Mustang Public Library

"The best thing about the program? It's hard to pick one best thing. I loved EVERYTHING including your rapport with the variety of age groups we had attend. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!!"
- Darbie LaFontain, Youth Services Director, Duncan Public Library

"I thought the program was fantastic! I liked how your songs had good fun child-friendly information for Oklahoma's Centennial. Thank you for all the research you put into your program."
- Marge Davis, Children's Library Associate, Tulsa City County Library System

"The songs were delightful. The kids were engaged and entertained. The centennial theme was right on! It's clear Monty has had lots of experience...the program flowed smoothly and he was able to adapt to our small program room. Children of all ages had good things to say and talked about their favorite songs, and about Monty's sneakers. You can't go wrong booking Monty Harper for the elementary school age group!"
- Rhonda Turley, Librarian, Piedmont Public Library

"Monty has great rapport with children. We received very positive feedback. It was fun!"
- Chris Buller, Library Director, Hesston Public Library

"Monty had the kids and their parents in the palm of his hand! They were totally engaged.
He does a fantastic interactive program with songs about books, reading & libraries and it's a crowd favorite. Folks left the program happy & enthusiastic and pleased that we brought him to El Dorado. I definitely want to have him back again."
- Karen Kolavalli, Youth Services Director, Bradford Memorial Library, El Dorado, KS

"Monty has a real gift for writing songs that grip kids imagination. They always love it when he comes to our library. I think his program is as near perfect as any we schedule. Monty has a real love of children and it shows in his songs and his performances. They always, always give us positive feedback. That's why we've been having him every year for 17 years. You can't beat him for a program that appeals, especially for 6- to 10 year-olds. They love to participate and I hear them singing his songs when they leave. Monty and Lisa are super easy to work with, very professional - I can't say enough nice things about them!"
- Sue Busch, Lib II/Children's Services, Stillwater Public Library

"Oklahoma Summer Reading theme was well incorporated. New songs are appreciated.
A safe bet."
- Terri Crawford, Library Director, Watonga Public Library

"Monty is always a wonderful show for us and we get a great response from the community."
- Robin Mooney, Youth Services Coordinator, Tahlequah Public Library

"It was fun and the kids enjoyed being involved. Monty is enthusiastic and gets the kids enthused. He is talented and fun. I enjoyed him too."
- Mary E. Parker Mem. Library, Sulphur, OK

"Even with a room full of kids they participated and listened. Always a great show! The kids, especially the younger ones, love Monty!"
- Kathy Buzzard, Children's Librarian, Shawnee Library/Pioneer Lib. System

"Parents were very pleased with the show. The kids (especially the little ones) loved singing and dancing with you. Some of the kids that were very involved were the same ones that had trouble sitting for more than 15 minutes last week. Monty is worth the money and adults and children enjoy him."
- Sharon Bastel, Children's Librarian, Sapulpa Public Library

"Everyone loved having Monty - we are looking forward to him in 2008. Good music - good interacting with the kids and adults."
- Love County Library- Branch of CRLS, Marietta, OK

"The songs were so much fun. They fit the theme perfectly. The children also enjoyed the part that Monty's daughter played. They were all very attentive while she was singing. Everyone enjoyed and had fun!!! Monty is very professional and put on a great show."
- Alice Withrow, Branch Manager, Atoka County Library

"Monty's programs are always fun. I think the best thing is that he appeals to the child in all of us. The kids all loved it and are still singing the Oklahoma Kids song. They liked having Evalyn perform. I could hear some of them singing to themselves later on. He may have inspired some future performers! Expect a great program with lots of audience participation."
- Beth Sherrill, Children's Librarian, Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library

"Educational and fun. The audience were all very impressed with Monty. Great entertainer, never a dull moment."
- Shirley Bambeck, Librarian/Branch Manager, Latimer County Public Library

"The kids knew Monty liked to write, sing and perform. The teachers and I were so impressed with his ability to change up songs as the kids questions arose. They are still trying to sing the songs. Parents commented that Monty was all they talked about that night. Monty is an engaging and highly participatory performer. His songs are about things kids wonder about and talk about."
- Lesa Ross, Media Specialist, Jenks Public Schools

"Monty's program incorporated Oklahoma facts and songs to go along with our centennial. Very positive, and enjoyable."
- Luetta White, elementary teacher, Dale School

"We had lots of interaction with the audience including moms and dads, and Monty allowed the children to request their favorites. Some of the parents that I saw the next week made a point of telling me how much they enjoyed the program. Monty is talented, very professional, and a library favorite."
- Janet Lee, Children's Librarian, Ada Public Library