'Play It Like You Mean It': Composer Teaches Ferndale Musicians a Life Lesson

Pulitizer Prize-nominated composer Ira Hearshen taught students about life, as well as music, during rehearsals this week for the Ferndale High School spring band concert.

The wind ensemble will perform the premiere of Hearshen's commissioned piece "Eight Mile Rhythm" during .

Hearshen – who has worked on music for television and films including "John Carter," "Super 8," "Cars 2," "A Bug’s Life," all the "Rush Hour" films and "Toy Story 2" – said "Eight Mile Rhythm" draws upon the following three Motown hits.

• "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," performed by The Temptations
• "Living for the City," performed by Stevie Wonder
• "What's Going On," performed by Marvin Gay

“Having a piece commissioned is one of those things that music programs and directors aspire to, because it's another indication of a program's success," FHS Band Director Elon Jamison said. "... For many kids, it's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The Ferndale Band Boosters funded the commissioned work through donations from current students' families, alumni and matching funds.

"It also (is) hoped that it will have specific meaning to the school or community," Jamison added. "The piece is dedicated to our larger Detroit (Motown) community, written by a Detroit native for a school back home neighboring Detroit.”

'I love the city of Detroit'

Hearshen was born in Detroit and grew up there and in Livonia, where he played trumpet in his high school band, before attending Wayne State University to study music in applied theory.

"I come from here and I believe in the city," said Hearshen, who has lived in California since 1972 but still roots for the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. "I love music and I love the city of Detroit."

He urged the wind ensemble students to embrace the city's soulful spirit as they rehearsed Thursday.

"Play it like you mean it. I'd rather have you make a mistake and play it with heart," Hearshen said. "We're all human beings. You have the power to play it if you get past being scared.

"There's a great deal of power in what you're doing to make people feel good," he told the young musicians. "That's what soul is."

Percussionist Joey Traynor said Hearshen's words resonated with him.

"When you have these songs, like 'What's Going On,' you can think about what's going on in your life or just in the world or what they were thinking about when they wrote it," the senior said. "So, you can put that feeling into the music. "

'Let it all hang out!'

Jamison, the band director, acknowledged during rehearsal Thursday that the ensemble's technical mastery of "Eight Mile Rhythm" was not perfect but counseled the musicians to perform from the heart.

"You know how this is supposed to feel. There are parts that are absolutely danceable. It's the feel, it's the groove, it's the emotions you send forth," he said. "What should you do when you play a solo line? Sneak in softly or go for it?"

Ensemble members shouted back: "Go for it!"

"A lot times we're doing the opposite," Jamison replied. "Let it all hang out!"

If you go

• When: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18.
• Where: Ferndale High School.
• Cost: Free.
• What else: The spring band concert will feature the symphony band, the first alumni band performance in nearly 30 years and the wind ensemble premiere performance of "Eight Mile Rhythm."