NSU women make history
March 14, 2012
Teche clinic may absorb some Chabert services
March 14, 2012
The 259 elementary through high school students that participated in Saturday’s honors band concert at H.L. Bourgeois High School had an opportunity to do more than demonstrate their skills. They witnessed an initiative that will provide others the chance to learn to play an instrument.
In a program kicked off by the Houma Kiwanis Club, 11 donated and refurbished instruments were presented to Terrebonne Parish School District Superintendent Philip Martin.
Flutes, trombones, trumpets and in time a wide array of long-unused instruments will once again sound as they are loaned to students of families that cannot afford the expense, so their children can participate in organized bands and formal musical training.
Ellender High School senior Amanda Boudreaux said she was glad to see a band instrument donation program get started.
“Being in band keeps you focused,” she said. “It is like a positive reward for going to school. You make a lot friends and it trains you to multitask. I think that helps you in academic areas.”
“This was an Eagle Scout project I was considering,” Terrebonne High School French horn player Dylan Barrios said. “Music makes you use both sides of your brain at the same time, making you think stylistically, while counting and reading, all at the same time.”
Testimonials offered by local band students are backed up by scientific research.
A study at Ohio State University found that formal musical participation has a positive association with academic achievement. According to research, students taking music lessons and participating in organized bands performed better in reading and mathematics than their counter parts by age and socio-economic background. Behavior problems were less frequent as well among music students.
OSU research also found while participating in organized musical training helped enhance academics and interpersonal skills, passive listening to music and attending concerts did not produce the same results.
“Many students cannot participate because of the cost of instruments,” Kiwanis Play It Again Terrebonne Chairman Larry Frederick said. “These are the first of many instruments to be donated to the parish school system. Our goal is to make music education available to students regardless of their financial backgrounds.”
The Kiwanis Club is asking former band members of all ages, and current musicians that no longer use certain instruments, to donate them to a new generation of performers.
“When the Kiwanis Club approached me with the idea, my immediate response was, ‘How can we make it happen?’” Martin said. “I can’t think of a better or more worthwhile benefit to children than this program.”
“When we first met with the students many were excited about the instruments and joining band,” Mulberry Elementary School band director Eric Zelasko said. “Many of them don’t join because their family can’t afford the instrument. As conductor of the Houma-Terrebonne Community Band, I know that music can be a lifelong source of enjoyment.”
“Being in band from seventh grade through college were some of the best times of my life,” program team member Rosie Vassallo said.
Donated instruments can be taken to Fabergas Music, 7821 Main St., Houma. Donations will also be received at a free Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at Southdown Plantation on March 18.
To learn more, call (985) 860-5757 or email rosiev1027@gmail.com.
Terrebonne Parish School District Superintendent Philip Martin, left, accepts 11 new and refurbished musical instruments as a first delivery offered in the Kiwanis Club Play It Again Terrebonne program. Club members presenting the gifts during an All Youth Honor Band performance are Leonard Ledet, Larry Frederick, Eric Zelasko, John Clement and Rosie Vassallo.
