It’s the third annual WQLN PBS Buckethead KIDZ program where music teachers from various districts bring the beat to their classrooms, inspiring fifth graders to pursue music education beyond elementary school.
What is WQLN PBS Buckethead KIDZ? Buckethead KIDZ is a street drumming program for students in grade 5. Students gain a well-rounded foundation in both the technical and expressive aspects of drumming, preparing them for more formal and advanced music pursuits. During the school year, students spend time with their music teacher learning rhythmic precision to help them develop a strong sense of timing and groove, which is fundamental to all types of drumming. Another skill is developed when students play on unconventional surfaces to improve hand-eye coordination and build drumming techniques. Creative skills are encouraged, as they must find and create sounds from everyday objects. Don’t forget quick thinking and adaptability. Both are essential to improvisation.
While WQLN PBS provides all buckets and sticks due to the generous support from the Dougie Bleu and Les Paul Foundations, street drumming often requires just a pair of sticks and found objects like buckets or trash cans, making it an inexpensive way to start learning.
Each year, hundreds of students from multiple districts are invited to the campus of WQLN PBS to showcase what they have learned throughout the year. Jim Dowds, a local musician, and faculty member at Penn State Behrend, adds an extra special touch when he leads the jam session. Jim possesses an extraordinary ability to connect with students, leaving them with a message of encouragement and inspiration. This year, Jim instructed and played along with over three hundred fifth graders! What a sight to see and an incredible sound to hear! The photos below tell the best story.
