Hohner News

As 2009 winds to a close, Gary Allegretto has just sent out his annual newsletter, which chronicles his Harmonikids activities. Hohner is a proud supporter of Allegretto in this valuable and inspiring harmonica outreach to children facing a variety of challenges. What Allegretto does not mention in his newsletter is some recent news which emphasizes his talent as a recording and performing musician. Allegretto is being considered for two Grammy nominations, in two categories, for two different albums. “Many Shades of Blue” is being considered for a Grammy nomination in the American Roots Category for Best Contemporary Blues Album. “Harmonicowboy” is being considered for Best Traditional Folk Album. Hohner congratulates Allegretto on this achievement, and wishes him luck. Below please find Allegretto’s Annual Newsletter for Harmonikids, along with some photos he provided of some of the Harmonikids stops along the way in 2009.

GREETINGS FROM HARMONIKIDS!

2009 was another wonderfully joyful year for Harmonikids. Even with the economic challenges that face nonprofit organizations in time of recession, my sessions and workshops took music therapy to special kids all around the country, and a first-time European session.

As I like to say, "The joy of music is just under a child's nose!" Some of this year's highlights include:

HOUSTON'S TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL was attended May 9th where the first child tragically died in the US from the H1N1 "Swine Flu" virus just a week prior. As a result of the flu concerns, many programs for children there had been cancelled. When they asked if I wanted to cancel as well, of course I said no. We all had a great time and the kids were delighted with their new found talent! The session proved so popular that I was invited to return again for another delightful session with the kids in spite of the flu outbreak.

VIVA ITALIA! Harmonikids visited Pausilipon Children's Hospital in beautiful Napoli, Italy during my March tour with Italian musicians Max Pieri and Ferdi Ghidelli. This was Harmonikids first European session. The children (many on I. V. units and wheelchairs) gathered in excitement as the harmonicas and music sheets were passed out. Max and I then went directly to the rooms of the children who were too ill to attend. Their touching enthusiasm as they quickly learned and played the songs brought tears to many of us that were fortunate enough to witness it.

POCKET FULL OF SOUL (HARMONICA DOCUMENTARY FILM): I was honored this year to be featured as a performing artist in the award-winning harmonica documentary film "Pocket Full of Soul". Naturally, my work with Harmonikids is also prominently featured. On April 4th the film's premiere release was held in Houston and I was invited for a headline performance, to teach a workshop to the attendees, and conduct another Harmonikids session at the Children's Hospital. It was a terrific event, attended by thousands, thereby bringing broad awareness to the harmonica as a therapeutic tool for kids with special challenges. (See photo at top. For information about the film, visit www.pocketfullofsoulmovie.com)

HERMETTA HARPER AND THE WILMINGTON FRIENDS sponsored two events in June, bringing me to the East Coast to teach harmonica at the Berry Festival in Wilmington, DE where I worked with a large group that included many underprivileged kids. I also taught classes at the Dranesville Elementary School in Herndon, VA which included children with learning challenges such as autism.

THE NEW YORK CITY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE hosted another Harmonikids session on July 24th, followed by a rockin R&B concert for the kids with a group of New York musicians organized by longtime Harmonikids friend Chris Neuhoff. My little buddy, 8 year old upcoming harmonica virtuoso Josh King helped out and wowed the playroom with his playing!

THE RIVERFRONT BLUES FESTIVAL sponsored and set the stage for one of my favorite events where I gave harmonica workshops and a headline stage performance in August. I was also asked to host the first East Coast screening of "Pocket Full of Soul" for the event and conduct a Q and A afterward. The City of Wilmington, DE has been a generous supporter for many years and heartfelt thanks go especially to Tina Betz, Beverly Zimmerman, Barb Belli and staff as well as Gene Fontana (Diamond State Blues Society).

FERRIS SHOOL FOR BOYS is another of my favorite Harmonikids visits. In June I continued my work there with juveniles who put their hearts into learning, playing (and even rapping to) the Blues including Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man." It was another intensely fun session I doubt any of us will forget. A repeat visit on Christmas Eve was my last stop of the year, and I had another group of enthusiastic boys. Again we played the Blues followed by a cheerful "Jingle Bells" and an angelic "Silent Night". Warm smiles filled the room as Harmonikids was there again to bring joy to a roomful of boys who would have otherwise received none... that's what Christmas is all about!

This is just some of the terrific work and positive impact that Harmonikids had in the past year. Please pass this along to someone who may be interested in reading about and supporting Harmonikids. Your support and assistance makes it all possible. You can also help by donating money or mileage, bringing a Harmonikids or a "Blues in the Schools" session to a facility near you, or by providing Harmonikids workshops at your local Blues festival.

Very special thanks to our financial supporters and fundraisers this year from our long-time friends at IMTA and JMT-Barbizon associations. Thanks to our friends at Hohner Harmonicas. Thanks to our friends at Folk Alliance. Heartfelt thanks for private donations from many kind and generous individuals including Don and Pam Allegretto, Alyce Allegretto, Stephen and Vicki Allegretto, Jama and Tom Lynch, Jack Newton, Ivy Skoff, Paul and Tess Brinkman, Jeff Nammacher, Dave Gilroy, Dawn Frank, Dariush Maanavi, Mathew Deffebach.

Special thanks for on-the-ground support to Leticia Russo, Ethan Diness, Andy Garrigue, Bob Margolin, Massimo Pieri and family, Paola Ragni, Chris Neuhoff, Hermetta Harper, Tina Betz, Bev Zimmerman, Gene Fontana, Josh and Joy King, Todd Slobin, Marc Lempert, Lisa and Rich DelGrosso (and Buddy), Ian Espinoza, Cindy Pena, Latrice Harper-Adle, Stephanie Guiswite, and Steve Myers. Many thanks to Byron York for donating airline miles. Extra special thanks to web master Barbara Belli for her wonderful web design and support and for creating our updated logo!

Kind regards for the New Year and always,

Gary Allegretto
Founding Director, Harmonikids Established 1985 gallegretto@earthlink.net
323-605-8742
www.harmonikids.org

Harmonikids is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible charitable org.

"I am heartily supportive of Harmonikids. We have seen the power of music in transforming young lives. Gary Allegretto and his work are most worthy of support."
~Dan Aykroyd