When Stephen Cohen came to our branch library and began to set up his collection of homemade gongs and bells I knew we were in for an intersting show.

While accompanying himself on guitar and his "original sculptural percussion instruments", he played both traditional children's songs and songs of his own, from silly to deeply touching. He invited audience participation in a manner that honored the individuality of the children. One song was about dancing and he invited children to individually come up and dance for a verse. To my surprise, several children from ages 5 to 12 went to the front and danced their own dance to his song. He commented on each performance in a respectful yet humorous way.

One of the instruments he distributed to the audience was a piece of 2x4 with nails of various sizes hammered into it, played with another nail. I loved the message that you can make your own music with what you find, that music is all around us waiting to be heard. His description of his goal is, "I want participants to have an emotional, interactive, intelligent and entertaining musical experience." I would say that he achieved that goal.--Jane Corry, Youth Librarian, Multinomah County Library, Albina Branch, Portland, Oregon

To hear Baseball, Baseball, click on the picture

Stephen Cohen weaves songs and instrumentals into activities that promote language development, social skills, motor skills, and problem solving skills. He has conducted all-school music sessions at our agency for a relatively large group of emotionally disturbed children ages 3-12, and his group skills and creativity have enabled these children to enjoy the fun he has to offer.--Catherine Cascade, M.A., Child and Family Therapist, Springfield, Oregon

All photographs are of Stephen Cohen and guest musicians in concert at the Midland Library in Portland, Oregon and were taken by Julie Keefe. Just watch the childrens' eyes light up when Stephen begins to play, and you will know.--Fred Grant, Treatment Team Supervisor, The Child Center, Springfield, Oregon     Stephen Cohen makes his own funky percussion instruments out of found objects and delights children with their magical sounds. Portland is lucky that he makes his home here.-- Doug Levin, Digital City     They're the youngest mosh pit in town. Pint-sized preschoolers line up three and four deep. Like all good fans, they arrive early. Some empty out of vans and schoolbuses. A few race to the stage, parents in tow. They're uninhibited, carefree and enthralled by the musical entertainment.  Every Thursday through July and August, more than 600 kids and adults gather at Lair Hill Park, adjacent to the Children's Museum, for the kid-friendly concerts.  At 11 a.m. today, and again at noon, award winning recording artist Stephen Cohen will bring his collection of homemade gongs, hand sculpted bells and acoustical guitar for an old-fashioned sing-along.  "I like working with kids because they have an immediate response to the music, Cohen said, "They don't care about your reputation. If they like the music,they like it."  Cohen invites the children to sing and dance with him, and after the program he offers a show-and tell workshop for everyone in the audience.  "It's important to give children a chance to experiment with musical instruments because that's when the interest begins", he said. --Joe Fitzgibbon- the Oregonian

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