WEDNESDAY INSPIRATIONS vol.15
Angela Jaeger on Poly Styrene
Angela Jaeger, who has been with CSSMA for over three years now and is one of our beloved early childhood music and art teachers. She also leads our free chorus program for 5-12 year olds and provides a really special environment for kids to come together through song!
Angela, a born and raised New Yorker, is sharing some punk rock history with us today. She was a witness and participant in the New York and London punk scenes of the 1970’s and shares how there are echoes of that spirit at CSSMA where the cultivation of freedom of expression through the arts is key.
She writes: At Church Street School for Music & Art, we embrace a diversity of methods and approaches to the arts. We encourage students to come together and experiment with different styles of music and hope to encourage self-discovery through creative expression.
Angela writes: Poly Styrene was a true punk warrior who inspired me as a singer, performer and style icon. Her energy and wit informed such amazing songs as The Day the World Turned Day-Glo and Identity. When her band X-Ray Spex played at CBGB’s I marveled at her sheer energy and was mesmerized by her radiant voice. Poly was an originator of ideas who celebrated individuality and found the braveness to be herself.
As we all know, music and art have the power to help people grapple with life’s intense challenges, (no matter your age or your background). It can take real bravery to let yourself openly be who you are and hopefully this brave expression can lead to liberation!
A few lines from the song:
Identity is the crisis can’t you see
Identity identity
When you look in the mirror
Do you see yourself
Do you see yourself
On the T.V. screen
Do you see yourself in the magazine
When you see yourself
Does it make you scream