The guys from Due West, Nashville’s newest country music trio, recently stopped by Mt. View Elementary School in Antioch, to visit and perform with the the “Little Kids Rock” music program. Little Kids Rock is a national program that brings free music instruments and instruction to schools throughout the United States that have had their music programs cut. The program has supporters like Fender guitars, Evans drumheads, and Hot Topic, just to name a few. This program offers children the opportunity to learn to play an instrument, record their own music, make music cd’s, and give them the self confidence they may not have otherwise. There are approximately forty schools locally who have this program in place.
During their visit, Due West performed for the students and they donated a sound system. The band also sat down with the kids and together they wrote a song, “Little Kids Rock.” The group, along with the students, hope to record a demo of the song and have it used nationally as the programs theme song. Due West’s producer, Jason Deere, was also on hand to help write with the students. Due West has a lot of practice writing songs, as they have written songs for their own cd, as well as penning hits for Bucky Covington and Lady Antebellum. Due West currently has a video on GAC’s top 20, for their new hit single, “I get that all the time.”
The Little Kids Rock Program at Mt. View Elementary School in Antioch has 100 students enrolled, but music teacher, Mark Hale says he reaches about 350 students school wide with the curriculum. He chooses between 12-14 third graders each year . Students classroom work, behavior in the classroom and interest shown in learning to play an instrument are key in his decision making. Most of the fourth grade students are returning students and they must meet the same criteria as the third graders. The fifth grade students are allowed to choose their activity, whether it be art, guitar, band, tennis or football. The program has two major shows throughout the school year. One show at Christmas and one at the end of the year. Mr. Hale teaches the guitar, bass, drums and some piano and recorder. The program also offers instruction on woodwinds, brass and percussion. Since the program is funded by donations, they do have a “wish list.” Guitar strings, picks, drum heads, nylon string guitars and foot pedals top the list. The program has speakers and a mixer but they still are in need of cables. Mr. Hale also encourages anyone who would be interested in donating time, instruments or money to please contact him at halemark@comcast.net.
This is such a great program for students who have the desire to learn to play an instrument. This is why donations are so important. So, open up that attic and see what’s up there that you may be able to donate to the program. If you don’t have any music equipment, a cash donation for instruments or just some of your time to help out would be greatly appreciated. Let’s do all that we can to keep music in our schools.
Please visit the Little Kids Rock official website to learn more about this program.
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