Some Danville High School students participating in Project Success are about to rock out, thanks to a collaboration between the after-school program and Danville Area Community College that will allow them to learn musical skills.
“We had a local musician about a couple years ago that volunteered his time to do music lessons and the kids loved that,” Brianna Buford, home interventionist with District 118 told the Commercial-News.
The program began as a student-led initiative, according to Buford, who will be overseeing the program at DHS along with DACC music instructor Michael “Guido” Esteves.
“The students really drove this idea. They drove this initiative and it’s really focused around the students and something that they wanted,” Buford said.
When a previous grant expired and it was time to write a new one, Buford and her colleagues from Project Success turned to the students themselves.
“We asked the kids what they wanted and they said they wanted to form a band to show their families what they were learning,” Buford said.
The new after-school music program was made possible thanks to a Reimagine Youth Development Services grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services — a three-year initiative which aims “to inspire creativity and growth among local youth,” according to a press release from DACC.
Aside from providing the program with more than $11,000 in brand new musical equipment for students to use, the grant also provides students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the help of two DACC music students, Logan Allen and McKenzie Divan.
Students will also learn from two local professional musicians and teachers, Steve Meadows and Cameron Sheets.
For Esteves, the new program is a win-win for all involved.
“This partnership highlights DACC’s commitment to supporting local students and fostering their growth. This is an amazing recruitment opportunity for DACC,” Esteves said in the press release, adding that the program will help the college to find high school kids who are already interested in music, perhaps leading them to pursue and earn a college degree.
“Having our music students involved gives them invaluable real-world teaching experience,” Esteves said. “I know from my own time as a teacher that these experiences make you a better musician.”
Unlike the high school’s various in-school music programs, Buford said, Project Success’ after-school music program will be able to better reach those students who may not have exposure or previous experience with playing musical instruments.
“If you don’t have previous experience, then you’ll more than likely be excluded from some of the programs (the school) is offering. For the kids, they’re underrepresented in music,” Buford said, adding that she feels it’s “important that we give opportunities to kids of different backgrounds and different racial groups so they all can have the same opportunity to pursue their passion.”
Another way this program differs from those the school offers is the end-product. Unlike typical concert music selections or even jazz numbers, these students look forward to performing more modern rock music. Students involved in the program may learn to sing vocals or play guitar, bass, keyboards, or drums.
Enrollment in the program is open to all Danville High School students, regardless of their musical background.
For more information, contact Guido Esteves at g.esteves@dacc.edu.