Voices Soar with Help from CMA's Keep the Music Playing
Robert L. Doerschuk
June 27, 2009
April 28 seemed like any other day at Nashville's McGavock High School - aside from the summons that drew 50 music students into the Choir Room. The risers where singers usually stood were lined this morning with chairs; shortly after these were filled, Principal Karl Lang stepped forward, welcomed everyone and then introduced a visitor: Steve Buchanan, Senior VP, Media and Entertainment, Gaylord Entertainment and CMA Board President-Elect.
Buchanan spoke briefly, noting that CMA's Keep the Music Playing program has donated more than $2.2 million through the Nashville Alliance for Public Education because "the CMA Board and the members of CMA believe that every student has the right to quality music education."
The kids in the room listened intently but perhaps wondered what all this was leading to. That became clear when Buchanan said, "It is now my pleasure to introduce you to a guy that really believes that - a great musician, singer and songwriter who continually gives back to our community." With that, the door swung open and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts walked into the room.
Shrieks of surprise and a storm of applause erupted as the superstar and CMA Board member leaned against the weathered piano in the center of the room and began to speak. He recounted his own history with music education in high school. "The fact that I knew I had music to look forward to is what kept me interested in school," he admitted. "For us at CMA, we're very passionate about making sure we have programs in our public schools that allow kids this outlet."
He invited questions, jokingly advised one young saxophonist to get his hair cut because he looked too much like a guitar player, and encouraged everyone to follow their dreams of pursuing music. "I came to Nashville, lived in a one-bedroom apartment and barely had enough money to buy soup sometimes," DeMarcus remembered. "So while you worry about where the next dollar is going to come from, I promise you that the power of your dream is bigger than your needs."
Then, casually, he asked if he could play and sing a tune for them. He moved over to the keyboard on the grand, played a couple of out-of-tune, sticky or completely silent notes, shook his head and said, "That piano is funky! I can't work with this. We got something else here?"
The door swung open again, and to the astonishment of the students a new Baldwin grand piano from Steinway Galleries was rolled on its dolly into the room - one of four pianos being delivered that were purchased and donated to Metro Nashville
Public Schools via Keep the Music Playing.
"As artists we donate our time to CMA Music Festival so that we're able to give back," DeMarcus said. "Music education was very important in my life and because of that, I'm able to do what I do today."
Carol Crittenden, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), smiled as DeMarcus performed a solo version of "Bless the Broken Road."
"That older piano was the original piano of this school when it opened in 1973," she said. "It's time for it to take a well-deserved rest. We're extremely happy, thanks to CMA. You have made dreams come true."
Pam Garrett, Executive Director, Nashville Alliance for Public Education (NAPE), agreed. "We're going to thank CMA a million times this year because they gave the largest gift ever to the music program this year," she announced. "Because of CMA, we really are Music City U.S.A."
"I had bruised fingertips because the action on the old piano was so hard," said Mitch Fuller, Choir Director, McGavock High School. "But you work with what you have and pray for something better. Now, with this new piano, it'll be a lot easier for me and for the kids."
"It's been terrible because some notes wouldn't even sound on the old piano," added Greg Hines, a senior and member of the McGavock choir. "A lot of people learn by ear, so if a note is silent, or if it's sharp or flat, the experience is totally different. With the new piano, it'll be so much easier to learn."
Like all students who have benefited from Keep the Music Playing, the McGavock kids now have superior tools to use as they develop their music. Enthusiasm, though, has never been in short supply. That was evident as many of them crossed arms, linked hands, swayed gently and mouthed the lyrics along with DeMarcus' vocal. Taking note, Principal Lang asked if he would do the song once more, this time with everyone who knew the words invited to join him for backup. DeMarcus readily agreed, and once more "Bless the Broken Road" filled the room, this time buoyed by a wall of spontaneous but spectacular harmony.
"Sing, McGavock!" Lang shouted. That's exactly what these kids and those who follow them will do from this day, for years to come.
2009 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
Buchanan spoke briefly, noting that CMA's Keep the Music Playing program has donated more than $2.2 million through the Nashville Alliance for Public Education because "the CMA Board and the members of CMA believe that every student has the right to quality music education."
The kids in the room listened intently but perhaps wondered what all this was leading to. That became clear when Buchanan said, "It is now my pleasure to introduce you to a guy that really believes that - a great musician, singer and songwriter who continually gives back to our community." With that, the door swung open and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts walked into the room.
Shrieks of surprise and a storm of applause erupted as the superstar and CMA Board member leaned against the weathered piano in the center of the room and began to speak. He recounted his own history with music education in high school. "The fact that I knew I had music to look forward to is what kept me interested in school," he admitted. "For us at CMA, we're very passionate about making sure we have programs in our public schools that allow kids this outlet."
He invited questions, jokingly advised one young saxophonist to get his hair cut because he looked too much like a guitar player, and encouraged everyone to follow their dreams of pursuing music. "I came to Nashville, lived in a one-bedroom apartment and barely had enough money to buy soup sometimes," DeMarcus remembered. "So while you worry about where the next dollar is going to come from, I promise you that the power of your dream is bigger than your needs."
Then, casually, he asked if he could play and sing a tune for them. He moved over to the keyboard on the grand, played a couple of out-of-tune, sticky or completely silent notes, shook his head and said, "That piano is funky! I can't work with this. We got something else here?"
The door swung open again, and to the astonishment of the students a new Baldwin grand piano from Steinway Galleries was rolled on its dolly into the room - one of four pianos being delivered that were purchased and donated to Metro Nashville
Public Schools via Keep the Music Playing.
"As artists we donate our time to CMA Music Festival so that we're able to give back," DeMarcus said. "Music education was very important in my life and because of that, I'm able to do what I do today."
Carol Crittenden, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), smiled as DeMarcus performed a solo version of "Bless the Broken Road."
"That older piano was the original piano of this school when it opened in 1973," she said. "It's time for it to take a well-deserved rest. We're extremely happy, thanks to CMA. You have made dreams come true."
Pam Garrett, Executive Director, Nashville Alliance for Public Education (NAPE), agreed. "We're going to thank CMA a million times this year because they gave the largest gift ever to the music program this year," she announced. "Because of CMA, we really are Music City U.S.A."
"I had bruised fingertips because the action on the old piano was so hard," said Mitch Fuller, Choir Director, McGavock High School. "But you work with what you have and pray for something better. Now, with this new piano, it'll be a lot easier for me and for the kids."
"It's been terrible because some notes wouldn't even sound on the old piano," added Greg Hines, a senior and member of the McGavock choir. "A lot of people learn by ear, so if a note is silent, or if it's sharp or flat, the experience is totally different. With the new piano, it'll be so much easier to learn."
Like all students who have benefited from Keep the Music Playing, the McGavock kids now have superior tools to use as they develop their music. Enthusiasm, though, has never been in short supply. That was evident as many of them crossed arms, linked hands, swayed gently and mouthed the lyrics along with DeMarcus' vocal. Taking note, Principal Lang asked if he would do the song once more, this time with everyone who knew the words invited to join him for backup. DeMarcus readily agreed, and once more "Bless the Broken Road" filled the room, this time buoyed by a wall of spontaneous but spectacular harmony.
"Sing, McGavock!" Lang shouted. That's exactly what these kids and those who follow them will do from this day, for years to come.
2009 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
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