KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The COVID-19 pandemic caused many students to put their musical interests on pause.
On Saturday, a Kansas City musician, who's worked with several Grammy nominated musicians, gave some 5th grade Shawnee Mission School District students a chance to explore different instruments.
Mike Corrigan, the founder and president of B.A.C. Musical Instruments, hosted "Explore Music Day in the Craigmont neighborhood" on Saturday.
The purpose is to help students pursue their interests in playing an instrument since their beginning band classes were canceled this school year due to the pandemic.
"Why wait," said Corrigan, "We have a whole summer everyone’s been boxed up in their house it seems like an eternity now and I thought this would be a really healthy option for kids emotionally with their psychological well being."
The music lives on!
— Nick Starling (@NickStarlingTV) March 27, 2021
Happening now: because of COVID-19 most 5th graders couldn’t start band this year, but a local music center is making sure these kids don’t fall back further and using these band test kits for them to decide which instrument they like playing. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/aBnz6Fws9N
The event gave some 5th-grade students a chance to explore different instruments through "band test kits" which contain a rubber mouthpiece helping the student choose which instrument is best for them.
"It’s really great because it allows a young person like this to really explore themselves and realize that they can create something remarkable," Corrigan said.
Many of the instruments the students have never played before.
"I never played the saxophone in my life," 5th grader Brelynn Starr, said.
"This is my first time playing it but I’ve heard it before and I just really like the sound of it," 5th grader Eli Jennings, said.
Students will then decide what instrument they would want to play when they enter the 6th grade.
"I wanted to play saxophone because it’s cool," Starr said.
It's been a trying year for parents and guardians of these students and they try to fill the void.
"We need to keep him busy, keep kids busy they don’t have a chance to misbehave," Tammy Jennings, Eli Jennings' grandmother, said.
"We just take it one day at a time and we just kind of roll with the punches," Britnee Starr, Brelynn Starr's mother, said.
This event helps the music live on, inspiring these kids to continue their dreams of performing music.
"Music is very important to me and I can see the impact it has on so many different people so I wanted to make sure the kids in our neighborhood had that access," Corrigan said.
The free event was held at the tennis courts in the Craigmont Neighborhood located at 9628 Melrose Street in Overland Park, Kansas.
Corrigan hopes a small band between the students forms following the event.
If you would like to contact Corrigan directly, his email is mike@bacmusic.com.
