by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Like a pied piper, singer-songwriter Dennis Warner worked his magic at Rice Elementary School last Monday, leading delighted children in sing-along songs.
“Inch by inch, row by row,” the children sang in the gymnasium. “We’re going to make this garden grow. . . ”
Warner wove his spell with a combination of songs, a storybook, anecdotes and by making goofy-comical facial expressions to express what he was talking about: the act of sneezing, how huge his hair used to be, getting punched by a classmate. The kids ate it up.
Between songs, Warner, who grew up in Clearwater, had some tough times when he was a student at a St. Cloud elementary school. He was the tallest student in his class, awkward, wore glasses, clothing sewn by his mother and was, all in all, a bit of a nerdy kid. One day, a fellow student walked up to him in the hallway and punched him in the face as hard as he could. In the principal’s office, the student said he punched him because Warner was so tall he wanted to see just how tough he was. Warner told the Rice students he is still glad he did not strike the kid back because he might have seriously hurt him.
That anecdote was just one Warner told to get his message across that schools should be safe places, that every student has a right to feel safe and secure, and kindness and cooperation should join one and all in schools and in the world at large.
His songs mostly all have gentle messages, promoting peace, togetherness, harmony and kindness. The storybook he wrote is also a celebration of peace. Entitled Beads on One String, it evokes a world in which all people get along and live helpfully together no matter what the color of their skin or their religions or their disabilities. People, Warner told the students, are like beads of different shapes and colors, but they are all connected on one string. What people have in common is the most important thing, not their differences, he said. After reading the book, Warner sang his song, which includes all of the words in the book.
At the end of program, Warner stationed himself by the door leading from the gym so he could high-five all the students, teachers and staff returning on their way back to their busy day.
Warner, who still calls Clearwater his home, is a songwriter-singer-musician who visits many schools, churches and other events throughout the nation. He has recorded 10 CDs, and his book Beads on One String is now in its sixth printing. Warner, who has won many honors, has performed at many prestigious venues, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Garrison Keillor Prairie Home Companion Show.
Three Rice Elementary School students join master entertainer Dennis Warner for a rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The children (left to right) are Zach Schraut, second grade; Annika Thommes, kindergarten; and Ava Marshall, first grade. Warner and a gym-full of students enjoyed an interactive concert with sing-alongs.
Singer Dennis Warner of Clearwater performs a children’s song for students at Rice Elementary School. Warner involved the children in an interactive concert of sing-alongs and shout-outs.
Singer Dennis Warner of Clearwater performs a children’s song for students at Rice Elementary School. Warner involved the children in an interactive concert of sing-alongs and shout-outs.
