Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1502512
ecades before the first note is heard and your favorite artist takes the stage, mentors in the music scene were making it happen. Without Macon's Little Richard, there wouldn't be Bob Dylan, Prince, or The Beatles, to say a few – who in turn sparked generations of creativity themselves. Without an unexpected offer from Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Little Richard wouldn't have the chance to be the "Architect of Rock and Roll." She famously heard a then unknown teen singing while working an a er-school job at Macon City Auditorium and asked him to open for her. And without Macon's own Gladys Williams (see page 92), Little Richard would have never learned to play the keys at all, let alone pound them with a signature ferocity. Great musicians aren't born, they're nurtured. Educators are lining up to influence the next generation of musicians to take Macon – and beyond – by storm. "Music is our heritage in Macon, but so many opportunities to perform and record are for adults. We believe that kids deserve that same kind of attention," said Justin Andrews, director of special projects and outreach for the Otis Redding Foundation. Some of these teachers, mentors, and organizations work with young children who can't yet read music. Others take emerging talent and serve as a launchpad for area artists to go national. There's also a movement to increase awareness of music business practices and new technologies for established acts, alongside efforts to increase their bargaining power. These efforts work in collaboration with all walks of life to build a more robust 21st century music city. YOUTH USE THE CITY AS THEIR STAGE For a teacher, the opportunity to help a child play their first instrument or read music can make monumental impact. "As a parent who looks at options for their student, really, Bibb County School District has specific, amazing music programs in place," notes Ben Bridges, Director of Fine Arts and Magnet Programs. "From kindergarten with general music, to chorus opportunities that grow with the vocalist, and even a guitar ensemble program in high school." Bridges says many have heard about the quality of arts programming at Vineville Academy of the Arts and Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School. Vineville, for example, contains the only elementary school orchestra in the district. But Bridges wants families to know that there are specialty programs in every residentially-zoned school. Heard Elementary School, for example, is working towards a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) certification using music to aid in learning other subjects, also known as arts integration. Heard teachers worked with experts from PAIR, or Professional Arts Integration Resource, in Columbus to get lesson plans and receive hands-on training. "STEAM does a phenomenal job of connecting the dots in South Bibb," Bridges explains. Heard's music teacher, Elaine Deckbar, wrote their last musical herself. And at Bernd Elementary in East Macon, students and faculty members together starred in a production of The Wiz at the historic Douglass Theatre, educating students about local history as well as music (see page 46). The principal took the role of the Cowardly Lion. D FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SUGARBEAR BAND PERFORMS IN CAROLYN CRAYTON PARK, PROFESSOR CHENNY GAN FROM WESLEYAN COLLEGE 42 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2023