GREEN BAY — Studies show playing an instrument can help students on many different levels, like listening, math skills, self esteem, and even critical thinking.
A program in Green Bay has been helping students learn from the country's best musicians.
"Music is an encounter with beauty," said executive and artistic director Michael Lund Ziegler, who oversees Music for the Sake of Music.
"Over 200 lessons a day to 200 students that come from 44 schools, 9 districts, five colleges throughout the region," said Ziegler. He said there was a void in music education that needed to be filled.
The program is now in its eighth year, bringing in music experts from around the country to teach students one on one, and it's free.
"There's so many things going on in our world for our students here, for half an hour an hour a day, can shut all that off, and focus on this thing," said Ziegler.
Instructor Alec Burke from UW Milwaukee has played trumpet for 17 years, "it's one of those instruments thats pretty iconic, if you listen to know the opening song of star wars, you know the dah dah dah dah dah."
A love for the instrument, he picked up at ten years old.
"Being around, my friends and teachers who were really passionate about music, meant a lot to me," said Burke.
Now it's Burke's turn to be the inspiring role model, "it's more than just the right notes and right rhythm, it's self expression, I want them to find it in themselves."
From the trumpet to this, instructor Dr. Steven Darlin of Tennessee says no other instrument compares to the contrabass tuba.
"Don't be afraid of it if you like low notes, this is the place to go."
Music for the sake of music is held every year, if you'd like to know more information, click here.
