Litchfield, Minnesota, fifth-graders get hands-on experience with instruments thanks to visionary teacher

Sep. 6—LITCHFIELD

— For Kelly Taylor, the band director at Litchfield Middle School, there is nothing better than handing a student an instrument for the first time and watching them make that first sound.

"That 'aha' moment, when you see a kid light up," Taylor said.

To start students on the path to musical success as early as possible, Taylor started the fifth-grade Band Exploration class six years ago. Instead of just showing the students what kind of instruments they could play once they are in sixth grade and can start band, the quarter-long class actually puts instruments in the hands of all

Litchfield

fifth-graders. Not only do the students get to learn how to make sounds on the various instruments, but they also learn to play simple songs.

"They get two weeks of flute, two weeks of clarinet, two weeks of trumpet and two weeks of trombone," Taylor said. "Kids want to be hands-on."

When the class started there was a good supply of instruments. Recently though, having enough trumpets to go around was becoming an issue. Taylor started looking for ways to increase his supply. He worked with

Taylor Music Inc

in Aberdeen, South Dakota, which takes old instruments and refurbishes them. The store was able to offer 32 refurbished classroom trumpets for $12,500.

"It's an upcycle of instruments that would not otherwise have a home," Taylor said.

The next step was to find funds to pay for the trumpets. Taylor said he started looking for grant opportunities and came across the

United Way of West Central Minnesota

's Community Impact Grant program. The program invests money into the local communities the United Way serves.

Taylor applied for the grant, requesting $10,000. He said he was delighted when he was invited to present in front of the grant committee in Willmar and decided the six committee members needed their own firsthand contact with an instrument to understand the benefits of his class.

"I got all six of the people to play a trumpet," Taylor said. "I went hands-on because I really think experiencing what the kids experience has value."

The trumpets did their job, and Taylor was unanimously approved for his entire request. Taylor said he was told getting the entire grant request isn't all that common, as the United Way wants to be able to assist as many requests as possible.

"I can't thank United Way enough for their support," Taylor said, adding that the Litchfield Education Foundation paid the remaining $2,500.

With the money in hand, Taylor was able to order those 32 trumpets. It was an exciting day when they arrived at the school.

"There were 16 boxes that showed up," Taylor said. "I had a mountain of packing peanuts in here (his classroom)."

Taylor said he is looking forward to students getting to play the new set of trumpets this year, which will be used exclusively for the fifth-grade Band Exploration course. With these trumpets, along with the other instruments showcased in the class, Taylor is able to teach students their first lessons on a musical instrument. Perhaps those students will decide to continue on and join the band, playing one of those instruments.

"This is their first real exposure," to band instruments, said

Litchfield Middle School

principal Chelsea Brown. "It benefits all kids and families."

Recruitment for the middle school and then high school bands is one of the goals of the class and Taylor has seen great success.

Six years ago there were 48 students in the sixth-grade band. This year, 96 out of about 120 sixth-graders attending Litchfield Middle School will be in band. Most of them took Band Exploration last year.

"We've seen tremendous growth," Taylor said.

Taylor is very appreciative for all the support the music department gets, from both the school district and the community. Band involvement goes back generations for some families and those families continue to support the band, even decades after they last played in it.

"We're blessed here in Litchfield to have deep community history and a community that really supports us and comes out when we need things," Taylor said.

At the school district, administration and the board understand the importance of music, and the arts in general, for a well-rounded education. There are multiple research studies that show the benefits students receive from being involved in music and art.

"We see the value in it," Brown said. "If it was up to me, I'd put an instrument in every child's hands."

Litchfield is well-known in the region for its bands, especially the marching band. However, playing a musical instrument and being part of the band is about more than just creating a great sound. Taylor said it teaches kids about hard work and being part of something bigger than themselves.

"More people who are successful have some sort of music in their background," Taylor said.

Taylor wants to do all he can to make sure his students are set up for that success, no matter their musical ability at the start. He makes a point to find a band home for any student who wants to join and work hard.

"There is no bench in band," Taylor said. "If you want to be in band, you are a varsity player in every ensemble you are in."