NEDERLAND — As bubbles and balls bounced around the room, fog machine and stage lights on full blast, the vibe of a legitimate Phish show was palpable. Trey Anastasio and his band were nowhere to be found but instead, a team of local musicians and about 165 students from Gold Hill, Jamestown, and Nederland Elementary Schools came together to bring a vibrating pulse of love and light to Nederland. 

Students shred the air guitar to "Possom" by Phish.

Photo by Brittney Wagner

Kirk Kubicek, general elementary music teacher at all three schools involved, used inspiration from his student’s desire to perform Phish’s music as well as his own passion for the catalogue, to bring "The Helping Friendly Book" to life. 

After searching the internet, Kubicek found that there was little content when coming to kid’s performances of Phish songs but he did run across an original play inspired by the band that was written by Mark Filaramo, a teacher in New Jersey. After reviewing the script that Filaramo graciously sent to him, Kubicek decided he was going to write his own. 

“Eventually, I came up with a script that incorporated several Gamehendge songs, along with several classic Phish anthems, and contained countless Easter eggs of iconic Phish lyrics in the character dialogue. I decided to title it “The Helping Friendly Book” and centered the plot around Wilson’s betrayal of the lizards through his seizing and eventual surrender of the book,” says Kubicek.

This may sound a bit nutty to the average human being but for your average Phish fan, it’s common language. It was very recognizable that a child’s imagination could process and understand these crucial life lessons under the guise of this lore as well. 

“Wilson and the lizard’s lessons about hoarding versus sharing and isolation versus community are pretty deep, and I hope those important messages will come to resonate in my student’s lives as they grow up,” Kubicek comments.  

“It was so incredible to experience the students responding to the music with such enthusiasm and lack of inhibition,” Kubicek says. “As the months went on and the songs sunk in, it was apparent that the accessibility of Phish’s music, which lies in the unique blend of creative songwriting, fun lyrics, killer instrumentals, and adventurous improvisation, is very transferable to children too!”  

General elementary music teacher for Gold Hill, Jamestown, and Nederland Schools directs "The Helping Friendly Book" with contagious enthusiasm.

Photo by Brittney Wagner

Although those who aren’t into the scene may think of Phish as just a jam band, their unique musicality and complex rhythms made making this production so incredible quite a feat. Watching kids from ages 5 to 11 all execute the complicated cadence of lyrics while reciting lines and nailing dance moves clearly captivated the packed gymnasium of friends, family and faculty. The band consisted of Kajsa Teitelbaum on keys, Randy Dulude on guitar, Asher Hughes on drums and Dave Solzberg on Bass. Solzberg's son Otis had a stint on the drums as well.

“I think the students learned about team work and the benefits of practicing and rehearsing, two essential tools for musicians, which are also useful life skills applicable to all walks of life,” Kubicek says. 

As the lights went up and the gymnasium began to funnel out the doors, the sounds of laughter and feelings of bliss still filled the room. Patrons slowly meandered out of the gymnasium dawned in glow sticks and big smiles. Sometimes if you just surrender to the flow, you’ll be surprised at the joy it brings.

If you would like to support future productions from the Nederland Elementary School music program, follow the QR code below.