On November 8, 2018 four sections of LHS US History/Civics classes traveled to Boston’s Opera House as the final segment of their participation in the Hamilton Education Project, sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the producers of the musical Hamilton. Information about this extraordinary program can be found at the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s website (click here). Every student in the program had to spend a week researching Alexander Hamilton and other Founders. They also had to create a performance piece to show their learning. From the thirty-one schools participating on Nov. 8, fifteen students’ work was selected for performance on the Opera House stage on the set of Hamilton. After the student performances, cast members engaged in a Q & A with students. In the afternoon, the 2,500 students experienced a special matinee performance of the musical. And, yes, the adult chaperones did have to wear orange safety vests so that all participants would know where they were. The logistics of moving 2,500 students in and out of the Theater District quickly were handled impressively by the GLI, Broadway in Boston, Boston Police Department, and Boston Public Schools staff. Along with those groups, a number of different corporate sponsors have made this possible. Growing out of a conversation between Lin-Manuel Miranda and author Ron Chernow, the original goal of the Hamilton Education Project was to bring Hamilton to 20,000 New York City students. The goal has grown to have 250,000 students around the country complete the study program and see the musical. The program was able to begin and expand with the generous support of the Rockefeller Foundation, and national and local sponsors.
Lowell High School Student Carolina Cabral performs her song about Abigail Adams to an audience of 2,500 high school students from 31 different Boston-area schools. Fifteen students were invited to perform their work on the stage of Hamilton in front of the audience and several cast members. Video by Nathaniel Kraft, teacher in the Social Studies Department at Lowell High School (MA).
Carolina's lyrics:
Remember me (Abigail Adams)
Well, you might know me C#m
as John Adams’ wife, F#m
but I had my own life, G#m
and it’s also interesting. C#m
I was the feminist C#m
of my time — F#m
I even told my man, G#m
“Don’t forget the ladies.” C#m
’Cause in a man's world F#m
everything’s hard to get, A
everything’s dangerous, C#m
but I am not afraid. G#m
I wrote about equality, F#m
every time. A
I knew my ladies C#m
would never back down. G#m
I wanted revolution F#m
just as any man; A
even was brave enough C#m
to confront Jefferson. G#m
If you didn’t know my name, C#m
well, that’s really a shame. F#m
I’m Abigail Adams — G#m
my letters were insane . C#m
Yeah, I just told you that C#m
I’m not just Adams’ wife. F#m
I had my own life. A
Better remember me. C#m
music and lyrics © 2018 Carolina Vieira Cabral
Lowell High School Student Carolina Cabral performs her song about Abigail Adams to an audience of 2,500 high school students from 31 different Boston-area schools. Fifteen students were invited to perform their work on the stage of Hamilton in front of the audience and several cast members. Video by Nathaniel Kraft, teacher in the Social Studies Department at Lowell High School (MA).
Carolina's lyrics:
Remember me (Abigail Adams)
Well, you might know me C#m
as John Adams’ wife, F#m
but I had my own life, G#m
and it’s also interesting. C#m
I was the feminist C#m
of my time — F#m
I even told my man, G#m
“Don’t forget the ladies.” C#m
’Cause in a man's world F#m
everything’s hard to get, A
everything’s dangerous, C#m
but I am not afraid. G#m
I wrote about equality, F#m
every time. A
I knew my ladies C#m
would never back down. G#m
I wanted revolution F#m
just as any man; A
even was brave enough C#m
to confront Jefferson. G#m
If you didn’t know my name, C#m
well, that’s really a shame. F#m
I’m Abigail Adams — G#m
my letters were insane . C#m
Yeah, I just told you that C#m
I’m not just Adams’ wife. F#m
I had my own life. A
Better remember me. C#m
music and lyrics © 2018 Carolina Vieira Cabral
Appreciations: This opportunity was made possible to Title I schools for a limited number of students in each school. I thank our Hamilton Educational Program teachers (Dan Hanlon, Ed Jaracz, Joe Jussaume, and Nate Kraft), each of whom had the highest concentration of performing arts students in eligible US History/Civics sections, and took on the significant teaching obligations to qualify for inclusion in the program. Thomas Thornton helped with transportation logistics; while Charlene Shattuck and Sue Francisco both helped with the administrative side. Dr. Sharon Clark, Roberta Dowling, Amanda Ernst, Suzanne Keefe, and Lisa McHugh all chaperoned, keeping things flowing and our students safe throughout a heady and hectic day. Head of School Marianne Busteed wholeheartedly threw her support behind our school’s application for the program at the outset. The help of all of these LHS educators made my work organizing this event that much lighter. - RD