Eastbayri.com

SEEKONK — After touring the nation, recording multiple hit albums and winning two Grammy Awards, it’s safe to say Seekonk native Bill Harley knows a thing or two about music. Take this tidbit, for example, which he picked up in seventh grade band class.

“Even when you mess up, just keep going.”

Last Sunday afternoon, Mr. Harley shared this kernel of performance wisdom with more than 200 people who came out for a community sing at the RI Philharmonic Music School Carter Center on Waterman Avenue. The crowd represented a range of ages from infants to senior citizens and, just as they did for a similar event two years ago, those on hand joined Mr. Harley in some clapping, dancing and, most importantly singing.

“We don’t sing that much anymore. We sing in the car, that’s about it” Mr. Harley said in an interview last week.

“Singing is part of being human ... It really is an expression of community.”

The songs featured in the community-sing were of a wide variety. While some of the tunes were known by a few of those in attendance, others, such as a rendition of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” were known to mostly everyone on hand. Mr. Harley also threw in a few of his own songs.

Mr. Harley – who greeted nearly every one in attendance as they came through the door – used the sing-along’s first number to provide a lesson on harmony.

“You find a note that sounds good, then you sing it until it doesn’t sound good,” Mr. Harley said.

“Then you sing something different.”

The second song of the afternoon had the audience singing “This Little Light of Mine,” with a few hand gestures accompanying each line. After a few choruses, however, Mr. Harley introduced a new set of lyrics. After running through this new set of words, the room was split in half with each side singing a different set of lyrics over the same set of chords played by Mr. Harley on guitar.

Another couple selections also divided the crowd, creating two and three part corrals that filled the room.

But perhaps the afternoon’s most interactive number was one that didn’t feature any musical accompaniment. After teaching the audience words to a harvest song from Ganha, Mr. Harley moved the entire crowd into a large circle where the song was reprised with a few simple dance moves shared among friends and strangers alike.

The final song of the evening, Mr. Harley’s “Milky Way,” kept the interactive nature of the program going. Mr. Harley gave out some quick sign language instructions to the audience, which were followed as he played the song.

Before concluding, Mr. Harley thanked those in attendance and said he plans to ask a few of his musician friends to come out for another community sing scheduled for June. Mr. Harley said the goal is to ultimately try and do community-sing events three or four times a year.

Mr. Harley said he was “delighted” with the turnout, especially with its diverse ages.

In the days following the event, RI Philharmonic Music School Director of Education Annette Mizzoni said the people who turned out were “very excited” and many said they plan to be back in June. Ms. Mizzoni also said the event is in-line with the school’s goal of serving the entire community, along with helping to raise of awareness of the facility.

“We have a really state-of-the-art, fabulous facility and we want to embrace the community and when we have events like this, we’re able to fulfill that mission,” Ms. Mizzoni said.

All proceeds from the event will go towards financial aid given out by the RI Philharmonic Music School.