Intelligencer Journal June 5, 2008 Passing notes... Benefit CD features SDL students By Kim O'Brien Lancaster, PA It's hard to imagine that the music-rehearsal room in Burrowes Elementary School once lacked instruments. Xylophones, recorders and tambourines fill the classroom, and tubano and djembe drums rest against brightly painted walls. But when Burrowes music teacher Heidi Shannon began teaching at the school six years ago, "we barely had a thing," she said Tuesday. Then Music for Everyone stepped in. Since 2006, the Lancaster-based nonprofit organization has awarded more than $47,000 in grants to area schools and community groups for music programs. In May 2007, it awarded Burrowes a $2,200 grant; last month, it awarded $1,000 to the school. "Without the foundation that Music for Everyone provided, we wouldn't be able to develop the potential in these students," Shannon said. Shannon directs Burrowes World Musicians, a fifth-grade ensemble whose members sing and play xylophones, hand drums, recorders and tambourines. Shannon started the group two years ago, and it has come a long way in that short time. In fact, School District of Lancaster's Burrowes World Musicians is featured on Music for Everyone's first benefit album, "Volume One," to be released Friday. The money raised will benefit the organization. The album features 17 tracks from local musicians, and it opens and closes with pieces by the Burrowes students. The selection process was competitive. "We put out a call to Lancaster musicians in December of last year and asked them to submit up to two original songs," John Gerdy, who founded Music for Everyone in 2005, said. "We didn't know what to expect." Gerdy received more than 70 submissions. "We had to whittle it down from there," he said. "We were just floored with the quality." Songs were reviewed by a panel of four judges, including Gerdy. The album features an eclectic mix of artists, including Hiram Ring, Dave Hurd with HighFalootin' and Slimfit. Burrowes World Musicians will perform at Friday's CD release party, as will Hurd and Slimfit. Burrowes Elementary School World Musicians Are the elementary musicians nervous? "No, I'm excited!" Ayanda McGill Jefferson, 10, said. "We've played for people before," Ariana Hernandez, 11, said. "I think people are starting to know us," she said, her smile sheepish. This won't be the first live performance given by the Burrowes musicians. They've performed at Millersville University, churches and past Music for Everyone functions. Shannon encourages improvisation and teamwork to help the students learn songs - and they sometimes learn them in less than a week. The students have even tried their hands at composing. This spring, they wrote their own piece, titled "Rainbow." "We used what we already knew from songs. Then we started to just hit notes," Ayanda said. "It just kind of sounded right." The students often learn multiple instrumental parts when preparing a song. "If one person didn't play this part, then it wouldn't sound right," Carlos Morales, 10, said. "I like to learn all the parts just in case they need someone to fill in." For some ensemble members, the challenge of learning music is what they enjoy most. Students rehearse during recess and after school every Tuesday. Shannon has taught many of them since they were kindergartners. "There is so much potential in this classroom," she said. "The great thing about kids is that they learn so quickly. I'm barely a step ahead of them." Both Shannon and Gerdy anticipate a good turnout for Friday's release party. "This is such a good example of the musical community coming together," Gerdy said. "It's Lancaster County musicians donating their time, talent, energy and creativity to help a Lancaster-based organization." The Music for Everyone benefit album "Volume One" CD release party will be held at the Elks Club, 219 N. Duke St., from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday. Admission is $10. The CD is $10. ### Help cultivate the power of music. Click on the Donate button to make a contribution via our PayPal account (new browser window will open). Send your tax deductible contribution to: Music for Everyone 321 East Fulton Street Lancaster, PA 17602 717-871-1710 john@musicforeveryone.net