5 June

Is There Music In The Bedlam Farm Warriors Soccer Team?

by Jon Katz
Music And Warriors

I was taken aback when Ali said the soccer team chose the name “Bedlam Farm Warriors,” it seemed a bit aggressive to me, but then these are teen-aged boys, and their choice of a name is not my business, even if my farms’ name is going onto their Jerseys.

Yesterday, Ali (Amjad Abdullah Mohammed), told me four or five of the boys, led by the young artist Sakler Moo, are beautiful singers, they love to sing on the bus and after practice, and the sound is rich and beautiful he said. He loves to listen to them.

I had a bright idea. How about having them come and sing at the Open House Saturday, they are coming anyway?

Ali said it was a great idea, but I suggested he ask them, no pressure. They were right in the van next to him when I called. I heard a roaring “yes!” and so they are going to sing at the Open House this Saturday, another and very welcome new dimension in our celebration.

For me, and already, for many others, these boys are becoming a symbol of things and ideals beyond themselves.

Then I had another idea. What, I asked, Ali, if we started a band? If the Warriors formed a band, something for them to do all year, and especially in the winter, when they had no soccer, and when Ali worried about the lure of the streets. Albany is a rough town in spots. And they already have singers, just no instruments.

We both got excited. We could start with a used piano keyboard, and an old guitar and some beat up drums. See where it went. I didn’t know if this would interest them, Ali said he was going to ask them tomorrow at soccer practice. I’m excited about this idea, providing it is something they want, not something I want.

If there is a musical core that is willing to sing in public at the age of 12 to 14, then there might be music and a band coming out of this particular very unique community.  They are bright and very hard working, and Ali’s goal is to keep them doing things and off of Facebook all weekend. So far, so good.

They love to do things together and Ali loves to encourage them. This idea has not been approved by them, or by their families,  it is just being bandied about and there is no request for money here or need to send any. They might just gag at the idea.

The parents would have to get involved, and the kids would have to think about it and talk about it. I think there may be music in the Bedlam Farm Warriors soccer team, if there is interest. That would be a concert I could hardly wait to attend.

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