You Could Hear a Pin Drop

The latest class on Wednesday July 30 was a breakthrough session. 10 students showed up and it was the most quiet and effective session we have ever had. The children came into the class and immediately set themselves up at the available workstations and began to work on beats and compositions. Very few words were spoken. The class was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. All that was audible was the faint, tinny traces of music that emanated from the kids blaring headphones.

Faces were fixed and focused. Meaningful activity and accomplishment permeated the room. It was a sight to behold; a true breakthrough for our class. No horseplay, no mindless chatter, no hormone-driven flirtation, just focused, concentrated digital music production.

From that I realized that we are making a difference. We are making true progress. I was proud beyond measure. And despite our meager resources and our dwindling grant opportunities I knew that we were succeeding in what we set out to do. To make music producers out of "ordinary" kids.