'Global Jam' Blends Music, School Districts To Bridge Communities

DETROIT (WWJ) - Using the hand-made instruments they'd fashioned from plastic cups, water bottles, film-canisters and cardboard boxes, third and fourth graders from the Academy of the Americas in Detroit and Novi Woods Elementary school had a lot of fun taking part in a "Global Jam" in southwest Detroit.

"This is an ongoing effort to ... bridge communities that normally wouldn't be in contact with each other," said Principal Nicholas Brown. "To break down some barriers, create a better understanding."

"When they are in third and fourth grade, you know, kids are still very impressionable and we want to try to cut them off at the pass in terms of developing any prejudices," he said.

Kiera, a student at jam session, says the experience was pretty fun ... she tells WWJ's Pat Sweeting how she made her instrument, which was a rattle.

"Well, one of the teachers at our school, they like to go fishing. So, they had tons of these little bottles that they kept the baits. And, so, they gave us them. And, then, we filled them with beads, put the caps on and then we got to decorate them," she said.

The Global Jam was an effort of the Chamber Music Society as a way to help city and suburban kids to meet and make friends.