Every afternoon, the Sophie B. Wright Elementary School band room comes alive under the direction of Paul Batiste. But on Wednesdays and Thursdays a group of Loyola musicians walks into the rowdy band room to give the students some of the one-on-one time they need.
Robert “Woody” Rinker, music education sophomore, started Brassroots, a program dedicated to tutoring elementary school band kids, last year. Rinker is a member of the Loyola University Community Action Program and wanted to combine his interest in music with service. He was able to start the organization by going to the New Orleans Outreach Web site, a program service that links volunteers to New Orleans public schools, and found out about the music programs offered.
Rinker said he wants the kids “to experience the benefits of private instruction.”
During these short 30- to 45-minute afternoon sessions Rinker is joined by Phelan Gallagher, jazz studies senior; Eric Fancher, jazz studies senior and whoever else shows up.
Rinker said he really wants more time with the kids next year, and he hopes to extend tutoring times to one hour and to encourage more Loyola students to join in. “I want Loyola students out of their bubble to get out and help people.”
SIMPLE PLEASURES
Walking up the stairs to the hallway that leads to the band room, boisterous laughter is followed by footsteps. The old band room is stuffy and hot, there is the clanking and squeaking of instruments and then there is the boom of Batiste’s voice.
“All right kids, if I hear one more note …” He only needs to give one look. There is silence and then a giggle.
The Brass Roots volunteers walk into the band room armed with a couple of binders of music. They play a J.S. Bach chorale, vocal church music arranged for band to get the students interested and then the students are split into small groups according to instrument. Gallagher and Fancher, both alto saxophone players, work together with the brass players while Rinker, a clarinet player, works with woodwinds.
Gallagher said that working with such young students allows him to remember simplicity. “Watching kids experience music from the beginning reminds you of the things you forgot. It’s a simple pleasure which is something they understood even more than someone who has spent years studying.”
FOSTERING CULTURE
There’s a lot of goofing around as the volunteers try to get the kids to stay serious, but sometimes they can’t help but have a laugh as well. “It’s a lot of fun … I just enjoy it.” Fancher said.
He said he also wants the kids to be a part of the rich musical culture that surrounds them. “There are kids who grow up in this city with all this music and the (music is) not getting fostered,” he said.
Lizzie Ford-Madrid can be reached at [email protected].
