Over 3,000 elementary school children have had the opportunity to hear bluegrass music first hand in the Green Bay Wisconsin School District. Bill's traveling Bluegrass in the Schools Program has visited 10 schools this Spring to the delight of children, teachers, and administrators. By spending a day at each school Bill can visit classes of 25-40 children at a time. These small groups allow the children to touch and strum many of the instruments that the see in actual use.

A typical school day begins at 7:30 when Bill and a friend or two arrive at the school and unload the banjo, dobro, mandolin, guitars, ukulele, fiddle and some times even the bass.

Once the music classroom is located its time for a quick tune before the children arrive. As the children arrive in the classroom one of Bills helpers is strumming on the mandolin. In most classes each child gets to hold and strum the instrument and then comes the big question... What is this instrument called? Guitar, Banjo, Violin, Baby Guitar are the wild guesses that erupt from the elementary school children. "I'll give you a hint it starts with M," says Bill. Its surprising how many kids did not know the name of the mandolin!

At Jackson school the music teacher Judy picked up her guitar and played along when Bill sang and picked out the Ballad of Jed Clampet. One by one the instruments of the bluegrass band are displayed and used for a song or two. From the smallest to the largest the children are enthralled to actually be up close to the instruments.

"This banjo weighs more than I do," Renee pointed out when she struggled to lift the instrument under the careful of Bill. Little people have lots of questions and wonderful enthusiasm. We explain about the break in bluegrass music and give them a small hand out explaining who Bill Monroe was and how the music got started.

The children listen with great concentration as Bill tells them if the get an older guitar where the strings are hard to push down, don't give up just put a capo across the first fret and it will be easier to play. In the younger classes Bill uses the Ukulele to play a simple sing along like Old Mc Donald to get the children singing. Running the bar up and down the dobro brings squeals of laughter. Jut like Road Runner on TV once little boy calls out. The banjo is always a hit. By the time Bill starts playing the Ballad of Jed Clampet or Foggy Mountain Breakdown the children have learned to clap and stomp along.

By the time Bill gets out his fiddle the initial shyness is gone an the kids are totally into the music. All it takes is a nod or a step or two of dancing to get them up on their feet. Then its dance dance dance in anyway they can. Rubber Dolly or Golden Slippers are always huge hits. The children don't want to stop and usually a third fiddle tune is requested. They all seem to recognize Turkey in the straw and by this time groups are dancing together and at Webster School there was even an impromptu line dance going. Some of these children are pretty good dancers and its fun to watch their teachers and administrators join in. Its really rewarding to look at their faces after that last fiddle tune.

They are all laughing and smiling and realizing that they just had a whole bunch of fun! All too soon its time for them to line up and go on to their next class. Clapping and words of thanks fill the air and chants of when are you coming back fill the air. Bill tells them that he is holding a bluegrass festival in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin on August 18th an that kids are free. That brings another round of cheers. One little girl with a concerned look on her face, asked "How much are parents?" "Three dollars," replied Bill. The little girls face lit up, "Oh," she said, "My mom can afford that!" and off she went.

Then its time for the next class. The come in with the same look of anticipation and question, what's this they want to know? "Come on in we say and Bill will show you!"

A typical day is ten classes with a lunch break around noon. Listening to the teacher's talk many of them did not really know what bluegrass music was. They and the children found out what you and I have known for a long time.

It's great music that tickles the toes, and tugs at the heartstrings but best of all its music to be shared.

If you would like to see more pictures of bluegrass in the schools or visit our festival this summer please check us out on the web

20th January 2002