Schools
Ohrenberger School After-School Music Program is a Hit
The children in the Ohrenberger School community are able to display their creative musical expression in their school's after-school music program.
The likes of Michael Jackson and Duke Ellington are still alive and continue to live on in the s cafeteria every Friday at 3 o’clock. This program is not solely for those who are the best at singing or playing instruments, but it is a program that helps the individual, who is not at their best, achieve their best.
The school’s music teacher, Kendrick John, teaches the children the importance of music during class hours with help from Sherry Young, a Berklee College of Music professor sent to the help out with the after-school program through the City Music Program.
The City Music Program links like-minded music programs with those who make up the Berklee College Music community network.
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“The singing teacher goes over the songs as many times as needed,” says Calvin Falcon, a seventh-grader who is the power behind the vocalist section. “It’s all fun and no one laughs at you when you make a mistake.”
Young is stern on the kids; nonetheless, she is a good teacher. Covering songs like “Satin Doll” and “Beat It,” children learn a sense of camaraderie.
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Kayla Riker, a sixth-grader in her second year with the program said, “We get to play together and we all know each other. If it wasn’t for this club, I’d be at home right now doing nothing.”
Armed with vocalists and instrumentalists, the children find outlets through music that is not readily available to them through their communities.
The program is only in its second year, but the music teacher, John says the school has had bits and pieces of the program before it all came together as a whole.
With the so-called 15 minutes of fame everyone is promised in their lifetime, these kids are earning more than just 15 minutes of fame while they practice to put on performances.
According to Riker, her favorite moment is when she is on stage at a concert. All eyes are on her and her friends.
If these kids keep up the good work, this musical friendship that they have will take them to places they can only dream of. The fire is in their eyes and their words are very clear.
Beat that Michael Jackson.
