Thursday, October 14, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Students bring music to children
Program volunteers help less-fortunate learn to play instruments
Kara Ammon
Special to the Kansan
After a class discussion about community service one afternoon, Christie Garton knew she wanted to do something to bring music to children who couldn't afford private lessons. And she did.
And she did.
Garton, Olathe junior, created Music Mentors, a new program this semester at the University of Kansas that allows students who have music backgrounds and who enjoy working with children to volunteer by giving lessons and exposing underprivileged Lawrence children to music.
While volunteering at East Heights Elementary School, 1430 Haskell Ave., Garton found an audience for her program's concept in East Heights' after-school program.
"Some kids don't have instruments at home, and we can't change that," Garton said. "We're just trying to teach them how to read music and introducing them to the idea of music so if they want to play an instrument, they can do that."
they can do that.
The program has about 30 KU student-volunteers who teach everything from trumpet to choir to about 60 East Heights students.
to choir to about 80 east. Heights so M.
Prenicia Clifton, Independence, Mo., fresh
man, is the vice president for Music Mentors and directs the choir lessons. She said although many choir members enjoyed it, it was a daily challenge to motivate others to sing. Once they got into it, Clifton said music was a good release of energy for the reluctant ones.
"I see kids come in with a lot of hatred and violent behavior," she said. "I think once they start singing, they kind of take their mind off of it and they're not as bad."
mind on it and they could think of new ways to teach the children about music. She began bringing in CDs to expose the kids to different types of music. If they liked a certain singer's voice, she would tell them that they could sing like that if they practiced.
"A big hug at the end of the day is the most rewarding thing for me, just knowing that I've made a difference," Clifton said.
Garton said volunteers didn't have to be music majors but needed several years of music experience and some experience working with children. Garton, who is majoring in social welfare, teaches piano lessons.
social weed, teacher, Volunteers teach 30-minute private lessons to sixth-graders, who have access to the school's instruments, where the children either learn a piece or work on something they are playing for band or orchestra. The younger children can take piano lessons or choir.
Music Mentors will have a recital at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 200 W. Ninth St. The recital is an opportunity for
"Some kids don't have instruments at home, and we can't change that. We're just trying to teach them how to read music and introducing them to the idea of music so if they want to play an instrument, they can do that."
Christie Garton
Olathe junior and Music Mentors creator
the children to play a piece or two that they have learned for their parents and the volunteers.
teers. Garton said she wanted to expand the program to other local elementary schools and a junior high school by next semester. She said the program also would be a good idea in other places besides Lawrence.
"This program could be at other universities," Garton said. "I honestly believe that because of the responses I've received so far from people who really want to get involved."
Garton said the main goal of the Music Mentors program was to make music a part of the children's lives.
Edited by Chris Hutchison
Kansas ROTC practices for its competition this weekend in Camp Dodge, Iowa. It will compete
ROTC prepares for ultimate challenge
Iowa competition allows members to show off skills
By Emily Hughey writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
It's kind of like a conference championship. But instead of focusing on one sport, the Army ROTC Rangers do several.
Army ROTC Rangers do three days at Every year, the Rangers spend three days at the Quad State Ranger Challenge Competition in Camp Dodge, Iowa, running, shooting and demonstrating their military skills in competition against teams from eight universities.
Dave Stanley, cadet major and Ranger team commander, said the purpose of the competition was to teach teamwork. However, he said, the eight events of the weekend weren't comparable to any other traditional varsity sport at the University of Kansas.
against eight schools to test their military skills. Courtesy photo
at the university of Kansas.
"It's not like most team sports where you're out to do one thing like getting the ball through the hoop in basketball or making a touchdown in football," said Stanley, O'Fallon, Ill., senior. "There's a focus in it, but it ranges over so many things. It's not being focused for one game. It's being focused for three days."
Tomorrow afternoon, the group will compete in a patrolling test, which evaluates military skills. Saturday's events include the Army physical fitness test, which consists of pushups, sit-ups and a two-mile run; rifle qualification; orienteering; building a one-rope bridge; and weapon assembly and disassembly. Sunday morning concludes the challenge with the most grueling event — the 10-kilometer
forced run. This event consists of nine team members running with 30- to 40-pound packs on their backs.
"It's a gut check," Stanley said. "By the end of Saturday, you're pretty damn tired because you're running and you've got 6.3 miles to go, but this time you've got weight on your backs."
Despite the physical intensity of the weekend, Captain Jeffrey Brown, Cadre Ranger Team adviser, said he thought the team could handle it.
"They've got a real good shot at it," Brown said. "They're definitely more physically fit than last year's team. Maybe not as all-around
prepared for skills training, but I think they have a definite shot."
have a defensive shot.
The other competing schools are Creighton, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, the University of Northern Iowa, Pittsburgh State and South Dakota State. The main rival of Kansas, Stanley said, was Pittburg State.
"Last year, we beat them," Stanley said.
"This year, they're gunning after us."
Nevertheless, winning isn't the most important thing to Stanley. The team is.
"It's not marking the little 'w' in the win column." Stanley said. "It's for your team."
— Edited by Matt Gardener
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