Many young musicians in an orchestra struggle with advancing their skills, whether it’s due to lack of individual instruction or just not being able to put enough hours behind their instrument. Luckily, kids can get their foot in the musical door with the program Kalamazoo Kids In Tune.
In the early days of Kids In Tune, the program partnered with Communities in Schools. Now they’ve partnered with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and have their own after-school program. Kids In Tune has successfully reached over 100 students per session. Sessions run four days a week, for forty weeks in the fall and summer.
The Kalamazoo Kids In Tune program, which started in 2011, continues to grow with the community. Originally, they exclusively performed classical music, but they’ve since branched out in order to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Kids In Tune has a place for everybody,” sophomore Emma Sinclair continued, “from the regular orchestra all the way to a jazz band, Kids In Tune teaches people to work as an ensemble in any form of orchestra, and adapt to new music.”
In summer 2021, the program initiated “themes” for its three week program where kids can focus on a variety of genres, like jazz, to specific artists, like the Backstreet Boys.
Still, one piece has been a staple in the program for years: “Allegro Con Fueco.” “Allegro Con Fueco” was written by Antonín Dvořák as a part of his “New World Symphony,” which was written in the 17th century as a musical depiction of the unique cultural melting pot of the United States.
“‘Allegro Con Fueco’ is full of energy,” Artistic Director Benjamin Gudbrandson said.
Gudbrandson works on the creative vision of Kids In Tune while also conducting the orchestra. He casts the vision for the ensemble by deciding the curriculum for the program, choosing the music played and developing the flow of the season and collaboration.
Meyer Music sponsors Kids In Tune by loaning an instrument to all participating students. Students will use this instrument while in the program, and they can take it home in between classes. Lessons are included in the program free of charge, so parents don’t have to break the bank to afford this program.
“The cool thing about Kids In Tune is that it’s free for any student, including lessons and instruments,” said Gudbrandson.
Kids in Tune also provides transportation and a free meal from the Loy Norrix cafeteria, which is where the musicians meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Students on the south side of Kalamazoo are the largest group of participants.. This makes transporting children from their elementary and middle schools to Loy Norrix easier when the children live on the south side. However, Gudbranson would like the Kids In Tune community to include other parts of Kalamazoo.
Kids In Tune is interested in doing more community involvement, like performing in retirement homes and other gigs, where the children can use the music as an outreach program and not just as formal placements.
“We want to make sure Kids in Tune is serving its community as best as it can,” Gudbrandson said.
Kids In Tune also makes sure family is involved in every aspect of the program. Whenever a change is made, the children, staff members and parents are always well informed.
“Kids In Tune constantly contacted my family through direct message, emails, short meetings, or calls when a change was made,” said former Kids In Tune student, Jonathan Lara.m
Mark your calendars, as upcoming concerts include Thursday, Feb. 20. Other performances happen as far out as Mar. 18.
