Music Matters

"How dare you waste my time and your talent by getting caught up in this mess," I growled at one of my students. I was livid. It was a fiery kind of anger that I had never known before. One of my brightest, kindest, most spirited, and most talented students was caught fighting in the hallway after music and would end up with a suspension keeping him from drumline practice. I could see the anger from the fight still on his face, so I changed tactics. "Look at me.... Look at me.... You show respect to someone by looking them in the eye while they're talking to you." He gazed up at me, still silent but starting to soften. "I see you," I continued. "I see the excellence inside of you. You try to do what's right, but sometimes you get caught up in acting tough. Know what? You're too good for that." Tears started to prickle at the sides of his eyes as I emphasized each syllable, and I knew I was starting to make my point clear. "You are a fantastic drummer and an even better person. I don't ever want to catch you behaving as something that is less than what you are again. Have I made myself clear?" My student slowly nodded and rubbed his eyes, in the way that most boys do, to hide the fact that he had ever been crying before picking up his bag and leaving the room.

From then on, this kid was always at the door of the music room to talk to me. He worked hard on his drumming technique and even harder on staying out of trouble in music class. I can't say that he never again was or never will be caught fighting during school. The reality is that going against the grain and staying out of trouble is a struggle that many of my students deal with every day. The need to come off to classmates as "tough" can be powerful, but the belief of an adult can be a strong force in fighting against it.

Toward the end of the year, I asked this student what it was that he liked so much about drumming. After a long pause he said, "It's really loud... but at the same time, it's really quiet. You know what I mean?" I realized right then that he had become a real musician... because I totally did know what he meant.

Music matters. It offers kids a chance during their day to make a lot of noise while shutting out the "noise" of their everyday lives. As I like to say, you can't throw a punch while playing the xylophone. Beyond that, music can be used as a healthy form of self-expression. Next year, my middle schoolers will spend the entire year writing, notating, and performing original raps. This project is a tool for them not only to learn about musical skills and history, but also for them to have the opportunity to express themselves through creativity.

Music matters. However, resources are always scarce. I am so lucky and so honored to be placed in a school with an administration and staff that is supportive of our music program and passionate about the work that we do with our students. I like to tell people that this is the hardest and the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. You can help to ease some of that burden by clicking on the link below and giving your resources. You can impact the lives of children in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago by sharing a little bit of what you have. You can make a small (but mighty!) difference in the world by being a positive influence in the lives of my students. A ripple effect of any change, whether positive or negative, has a more noticeable impact in the areas of greatest need. Lets work together to make this a positive ripple of change for the children of Chicago.


Kendra Purscell's Adopt-a-Classroom Page
Click this link to read more about my plans for my music classroom and to help make a difference in the lives of children in a low-income area of Chicago