How "Gospel for Teens" is saving the music

(CBS News) 

There's a street in Harlem that comes alive every Saturday with the sound of gospel music. You won't find any church there - just a brownstone full of teenagers and the woman who draws them in.

Her name is Vy Higginsen, a New York radio personality and theater producer. Five years ago she created something called "Gospel for Teens."

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A Harlem teenager sings to her absent father in this week's most captivating moment on "60 Minutes."

Video: Gospel for Teens, Part 1
Video: Gospel for Teens, Part 2
Link: Learn more about Gospel for Teens
Link: Libby Roderick, songwriter of the Gospel for Teens theme "How Could Anyone."

Never heard of it? Well, we think you'll be glad you did. And if you're thinking that Higginsen thought up this program as a way to save the teens, you'd be wrong. She did it to save the music.

The faces and voices of Gospel for Teens include kids between the ages of 13 and 19 who gather in Harlem each week from all over New York and New Jersey to study the tradition and the art of singing gospel.

"It's uniquely American. It's a story of a people in song created out of an American experience," Higginsen told correspondent Lesley Stahl.

"And you are not gonna let it die," Stahl remarked.

"No," Higginsen replied, with a beaming smile.

Higginsen runs an advanced class, but each fall she brings in a new group, putting out a call for auditions in local papers, on radio, and in churches. She calls them her "beginners."

Extra: "Go Down Moses"
Extra: A gospel duet
Extra: Why the program is free
Extra: The risk of losing gospel

Yolanda Howard, age 14, had arrived by subway from the Bronx before the microphones were even set up. "I was so happy because I was the first person," she said.

And she brought along her friend Rhonda Rodriguez, who started off a little shaky. Asked if she was nervous, Rodriguez told Stahl, "I was really nervous."

When Stahl asked Rodriguez if she thought she had gotten into the program, she admitted, "No."

"Did they really have to be great in the audition?" Stahl asked Higginsen.

"Absolutely not," she replied. "They simply have to carry a tune. We don't expect them to be great. They're teenagers."

Of course great is welcome too. Higginsen's goal is to bring gospel to kids more likely to have been raised on hip hop. One girl who auditioned only knew the first six words of Amazing Grace. "That's why we have this school!" exclaimed Higginsen.

So she and the teachers she calls music masters - including her own daughter Knoelle - want to accept as many kids as they can, but there were a few who seemed to throw them, like 16-year-old Gabby Francois.

Something about her seemed to puzzle Higginsen. "I was curious. And I couldn't put my finger on it," she said. "What is it? There was something else going on behind the music."

While singing "This Little Light of Mine," Francois stopped singing mid-phrase, looking down and rubbing her eyebrows.

"Part of me wanted to say, 'Is this gonna be trouble?'" Higginsen said.

"Why didn't you say that?" Stahl asked.

"Something stopped me from saying it. It's almost like, 'I want to take a chance with this,'" she explained.

If there was a star of this audition, it would be 14-year-old David Moses from Brooklyn, who walked in just before the audition ended. He sings in his church choir and knew the song "Amazing Grace" all the way through.

"It fills me with a lot of joy when I sing. So I just sing," he told Stahl.

David Moses had heard about Gospel for Teens from a friend and thought his dad was going to drive him to Harlem that day.

"He said, 'Listen, Dad, you gonna take me to the audition?" I said, 'What audition?'" his dad admitted.

Turns out his parents had forgotten about the audition.

So they asked a friend to take David and hold up a cell phone during his audition so they could listen in.

"My son was singing. The place was going crazy. Let me tell you, the next week, I made sure Daddy and Mommy was bringin' him back to class," David's dad said, laughing.

And that next Saturday, there they were: the 46 kids Higginsen chose as her new beginners class, including Yolanda Howard and her friend Rhonda Rodriguez, who thought she wouldn't get in.

Gabby Francois also got in. Higginsen had decided to give her a chance.

Produced by Shari Finkelstein

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[billholahan]

Music is loud, and the sound travels in all directions. People who hate the intrusion of singing voices should allow themselves to appreciate what they are hearing. I's like musicians on the New York City subways; I always love to hear whatever is being played, I think how kind people are to perform for us. I see some people on the train who cringe and get all hissy, but they are the kermudgins who live in their own unhappy lives. They do not affect my occasional tears when I a moved by the humanity of music. Even though I am atheist I love gospel music, when it is sad and woeful and when it is celebratory. It's all good!

[TheNeighbor]

It's clear that 60 Minutes did not speak to the people who live next door to the Mama Foundation! The Mama Foundation operates with a complete disregard for the quality of life and health of its neighbors. Housed in a brownstone on a residential block, the Mama Foundation is so noisy that the police have been called several times. The Mama Foundation has also been warned by the Department of Environmental Protection, but it continues to behave with a callous indifference to its neighbors. Youths loiter on neighboring homes, and noise on Friday night, Saturday afternoons and even sometimes Sunday is horrible. The only thing that is important to the Mama Foundation is to exploit naive young people and abuse neighbors in its tawdry clutch at second-hand fame for its founder, Vy Higginsen. 60 Minutes -- next time, do your research!

[julma1]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE IT BETTER INSTEAD OF MAKING IT WORSE?

[proudnative10027]

As a life-long resident of Harlem and a close neighbor of the Mama Foundation, I find it extremely disturbing that anyone could find such negativity in something so positive. The Mama Foundation has been at their present location for at least the last 9-10 years and during their time here, I have heard nothing but pure joy and excitement coming from the Brownstone in which they are housed.

I've seen my community through many stages from the dilapidated buildings and empty lots of the 70s and 80s, right through the present day gentrification. I've witnessed my community ravaged by heroin addicts, drug dealers, gang activity, robberies and everything else you can think of. I've seen my peers locked away in jail and killed on the streets when we were the same age as these teenagers. So when I sit outside on the steps during warmer weather, watching and listening to such promise from what many refer to as a lost generation, I am proud to say they are my neighbors.

Yes, they gather outside when they are not singing and do what typical teenagers do. The difference among these young people is that they are doing something positive, not bothering anyone, and they're extremely polite.

Furthermore, they are generally around no more than one or two days out of the week. I actually miss them when they are not around because simply listening to them reminds me that someone is doing something positive rather than getting in, or causing trouble. My words to the Mama Foundation is to keep doing what you do. Continue to make a change in our youth.

As far as exploiting naive young people, I encourage the bitter neighbor to find something positive about the organization and perhaps offer some help or find a way to look at the positive aspects of the program. I doubt there is any exploitation taking place because I have personally seen many of the children arrive with their parents/guardians. So if exploitation exists, what are you saying about the intelligence of the adults who support this much-needed cause?

[ladycast]

GOD BLESS PEOPLE LIKE THE WOMEN THAT WORK SO HARD TO WORK WITH THESE TEENS,THERE OUGHT TO BE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE LIKE HER MAYBE THERE WOULD BE LESS CRIME&LESS DEATHS.WHEN I WATCHED THAT STORY I WAS IN TEARS,ESPCALLY KNOWING HOW THOSE TEENS GREW UP&WAS RAISED.I WAS IN AWW WHEN THAT ONE GIRL SANG THAT SOLO,THAT SONG WAS SO BEAUTIFULL&SHE DID SUCH AN AWSOME JOB.AND WHEN THAT OTHER GIRL WAS TALKING ABOUT HER FATHER&HAD MISSED CHURCH BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO COME GET HER&DIDN'T&SHE WAS ANGERY HOWEVER,SHE MADE A SONG ABOUT IT&SANG IT.AGAING I WAS IN MORE TEARS BECAUSE,IT MOVED ME SO MUCH&HAD REMINDED ME SO MUCH ABOUT MY OWN FATHER.ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T GROW UP LIKE THESE TEENS I STILL FELT THEIR PAIN&GRIEF,NO MATTER WHAT DEATH IS NEVER EASY THE PAIN NEVER GOES AWAY.I JUST HOPE THAT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE LIKE THE WOMEN THAT STARTED THIS PROGRAM HERE,TO HELP OUR OWN CHILDREN&GET THEM INTO A PROGRAM LIKE THAT TO GET THEM OFF THE STREETS."I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before." "People go through challenging moments of losing people and of having their life threatened from illness and real grief. But they get through it. And that's the testament to the human spirit and it's -- we are fragile, but we also are divine." THOSE TEENS SHINED&EACH&EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD A DIFFERENT STORY TO TELL,&MOST OF ALL WHERE THEY LIVED&WHO RAISED THEM.MOST OF ALL THEY ALL HAVE AN ANGLE IN THEIR POCKETS LOOKING OVER THEM&I HOPE EACH&EVERY ONE OF THEM READ THIS.BLESSED BE TO THE WOMEN THAT STARED "GOSPEL FOR TEENS"&BLESSED BE TO EACH&EVERY ONE OF THOSE TEENS STRIVING TO MAKE IT BETTER.....

[CBS0006]

Years ago we stopped watching 60 Minutes. It was too negative. Too contrived. I believed America and Americans were better than the show portrayed.

Recently, we started watching the show again. For the last three weeks they have not only covered the headlines, but have covered stories that inspire. 60 Minutes has returned to journalism. I have long argued that journalism is dead if we fail to inspire. If there is problem, tell me who is working on a solution. If there is tragedy, tell me how I can help.

Life is good here in America. People are good in America. There are individuals, small groups and organizations among us making a difference. Lets talk about that. Lets tell the stories and show the pathway toward of success.

Wonderful story - thank you.

[charmswake]

Absolutely LOVED this story! God bless Vy Higgensen for all she's doing! I've always said "We're all created equal ~ just some are more equal than others".

[elderglo]

I highly commend 60 minutes , Leslie Stall and the support team for imparting this inspiring segment. In a world where fear ,devaluing of this population (teens and their adult investors ) and even the arts, I think this will broaden our scope and lead to a sense of agency in these troubling times. I loved the whole presentation. Please give us more.Balance and returns on investing in young human capitol is priceless.

[MusicalMary]

With tears in my eyes, I say thank you, Leslie, and CBS for producing this amazing story. I believe in art and music in the schools for children, because it does bring them joy and a way to express themselves. Not everyone is an athlete - so it is worthwhile to have other avenues for them. Thanks so much for this first-class presentation.

[Elnora30]

As a long time fan of 60 Minutes, this is without question, one of the most inspirational segments that I have watched on this, or any channel. Thank you Vy Higgensen for showing that one person can make a difference. Thank you 60 Minutes and Leslie Stahl for making us both tearful and joyous. In these troubled and stressful times, it was a breath of fresh air. We need many more programs like this. Please keep them coming.......They give us hope!

[sallychicago]

I should feel good along with you, but I can't help thinking about Ms. howard who wants to go on American Idol. The problem with Black teens/youth is that they see the entertainers and sports figures making money, but don't realize that there are so few of them and that their chances of making it in entertainment is very slim. Black people need scientists and mathematicians and innovators and business owners and the people are being blinded by the bling.

[julma1]

I agree. It is typical of some to exploit the talents of young Black teens for their own end. Unfortunately, many of these exploiters are from the Black community, who themselves are only getting crumbs, and the big guys are lining their pockets with the greediness of those with the small minds.

[DonJarvi]

The Best! Thank you for the touching and enchanting piece. Leslie and CBS outdid any previous 60 Minutes work. I would ask Leslie to contact The Kaiser Foundation and get their A.C.E. (Adverse Child Experience) Study. This study is also featured in the 3/21/11 issue of The New Yorker. The background for most poverty-stricken kids include experiences that act as booby traps as they grow up. A 60 Minutes' treatment of the Kaiser Study coupled with what came out of the Gospel Singers piece present a future more hopeful than any other view yet presented anywhere. Good luck to the kids and let's all get to work to minimize the destructive effects of childhood psycho-trauma.

[powerinpraise]

Very powerful story on the power of praise, believing in yourself and how to use music, love and a bit of religion to inspire young people that they are indeed unique and special. One of the best stories I have ever seen on how to showcase religious beliefs without picking sides but by showcasing what every religion of the world teaches, respect for each individual as a unique creation of God.