BLUEGRASS IN THE SCHOOLS - THE VERY BEST WAY

Rebecca Jackman, longtime string orchestra teacher, is now teaching mandolin to students in the Billings Public Schools. She is a member of the Yellowstone Bluegrass Association and was seen jamming with the likes of Dave Fischer and Trent Indreland (mandolins), Dennis Anderson, (guitar) and fiddle virtuoso Tom Finnecum at the recent YBA midwinter event.  These guys are excellent pickers all! Jackman is having after school mandolin sessions for youngsters at Lewis and Clark Middle School. This is by far the best way to get kids interested in bluegrass instruments and music. Many years ago the late Ed Harris, a musical icon in Billings, began having after school guitar sessions which my son attended. The district had purchased a number of nylon strung guitars and my son came home playing Ed's "Magical Changes, G, E, C, and D" on his own guitar at home. My boy, now 48, has continued to write music and play guitar in his and other bands from Billings to Bozeman to Seattle to Austin, TX to Nashville where he now resides. The teaching of Ed Harris was an important step in his musical life.  Former YBA board member, Brad Sherseth, was also in that Ed Harris group.    

My violinist daughter called me from Missoula last night. I mentioned talking to Becky Jackman, who inquired about her, at the YBA midwinter event. We recalled the summer 20 years ago when she was  ten years old and in fifth grade. I drove her down to L & C school to attend a summer orchestra program there. As we approached the music room we were spotted by the teacher who warmly invited her in. It was Becky Jackman. So for more than 20 years she has been introducing Billings kids to good music. (My daughter is now one of the better violinists in Montana. She has performed in every symphony orchestra  in the state. She is now teaching orchestra at the Target Range district adjacent to Missoula, maintains a private studio for violin and viola, is the assistant concert master of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the String Orchestra of the Rockies, a chamber orchestra (meaning conductor less). And she can crank out a hot version of "Ragtime Annie" or a beautiful rendition of "Ashokan Farewell" at any time, too. Thanks to Becky Jackman and other teachers for all of that. 

Both the YBA in Billings and the MRBA in Missoula have attempted to get to bluegrass in the schools by arranging to have groups perform in schools. They have both found that to be limited in success. They may have heard of the IBMA's program for "Bluegrass in the Schools." The IBMA does NOT try to get bands to play for kids, but to find local teachers who are interested in bluegrass and then provide them with the proper teaching materials to use with their students. That is the type of instruction that Becky Jackman and  Ed Harris have done on their own. That is the way to get kids involved in the music.

Earlier I referred to my daughter in Missoula. She teaches her Target Range orchestra to play some basic fiddle tunes such as "Devil's Dream" and "Old Joe Clark."  She would love to have some MRBA pickers come out and play along with her orchestra and later perform some of their tunes for the kids.  I believe that so far she has not been approached by anyone from the MRBA.  What say you MRBA?