URI music students help middle schoolers find their voice through mentor program

The South Kingstown Elks Lodge 1899 has given the school a $2,000 grant to help with a program that matches University of Rhode Island music students with middle school youngsters learning an instrument.

“Both of my daughters went through the music program, the music program impacted both of my daughters and I thought it would be a great thing to do,” said Chris Hiener of the Elks Lodge

“We do all kinds of programs for the community, anything that helps students, veterans, anything that will help out the community, and seems like it would be a good thing we like to support that,” Hiener added.

 The Music Mentoring Project is a collaborative endeavor that unites University of Rhode Island (URI) music students and local community musicians who offer free after-school individual music lessons to BRMS students.

One mentor is Cailin Fairbrother, who has volunteered in the program for over 10 years and is grateful to be part of it.

“It is not only a privilege to share music with others, but especially to share music in a space that is inclusive and accessible for all. There is no feeling more rewarding than witnessing the growth of students during their time in the program,” Fairbrother said.

She is also a 2020 South Kingstown High School graduate and praised school music teacher Jenny Collins for her dedication to students and mentors.

“She has fostered a learning environment in which music is just one of the many skills that students build upon. The Music Mentoring Program sees students not only as musicians but as the leaders of their own learning,” Fairbrother said.

“As a mentor, my role is not only to teach music but to encourage creativity, cooperation, and problem-solving. And most importantly, we have fun!” she added.

URI Jazz saxophonist Jude LaRoche, a 2021 SKHS graduate and mentor, accented those points.

“The music mentoring program has given me a lot of insight into my own playing and what I value most in music and how I want to teach those things to students. If there’s one thing I hope they take away from this a joy for playing and appreciation for music,” LaRoche said.

After-school music lessons cost money. Students who can afford private lessons gain opportunities. The grant goes directly to the volunteers as an honorarium for their much-below-cost for helping those without means for lessons.

Various community groups, including Peace Dale Congregational Church, have seen this gap in cultural development.

Through its Music Academic, it offers help to students of all ages to begin, enhance, or fine-tune musical aspirations — piano, drums, voice, violin, guitar, brass, woodwinds, cello, and composition.

In June 2022, church Music Director Nathaniel Baker started the program at PDCC. “It is difficult to find private lessons for voice and some instruments. It’s hit or miss for good private instruction,” he said in an interview at the time.

In addition, the now-defunct Wakefield’s Busy Buddies Foundation, which, until its closing after the COVID pandemic dried up contributions, provided grant money for local children seeking music lessons to learn about singing or an instrument.

Broad Rock Middle School Teacher Collins noted that programs like hers help transcend barriers when a lack of money prohibits participation.

“These volunteers are crucial in providing this service to students. By providing the honorarium from the Elks, the school thanks the volunteers who take the time to teach our students,” she said.

There is also the district’s commitment to cultivating music education, said Eric Lonergan, a spokesman for the school district.

“The educators we have build musicians that have skill and confidence. Between performances in front of hundreds of people regularly and competitions with other highly skilled musicians, students are consistently honing their skills and developing that confidence,” he said.

“Those skills are key when students leave the middle school program and head to high school,” he added.

Lonergan credited community members Lori Hiener, a parent of a South Kingstown band alumnus, for launching the initiative, grant writer Deb Gibson, and Elks Club member Sherri Thomas for their support.

Paula Whitford, School Committee chairwoman, said, “We are all very grateful and appreciative of this donation for our music mentoring program at BRMS, where music is everything to many.”

Robert Littlefield, school superintendent, added, “We are so thankful that folks in the community recognize the importance of arts in our schools. Every contribution makes a difference and is appreciated.”