Roots of Music launches Pilot Session!

RoM Band Director Lawrence Rawlins.

This week marked the official launch of the Roots of Music (RoM), a music education program founded by Derrick Tabb of the Rebirth Brass Band to serve middle-school students in New Orleans. Over 40 children have been attending afterschool band rehearsals, where they have been introduced to the fundamentals of music theory and marching band performance.

The support of Vic Firth drumsticks, HQ Percussion, Tipitina's Foundation, Hudson Music, and B’nai Israel Baton Rouge have allowed RoM to begin with this pilot session.

In June, the program will grow to 150 students and by the Fall we will be fully up and running as a daily afterschool program with 200 students in a dedicated facility. The program is free for all students.

This week, Band Director Lawrence Rawlins started the instrumentalists off with music theory lessons, student Reginald Williams played a tuba for the first time, and RoM Program Director Derrick Tabb helped Drum Instructor Shoan Ruffin get the drummers started with drills and counting.


We are in need of instruments as well as donations to cover the costs of busing, facilities, and salaries for instructors Lawrence Rawlins and Shoan Ruffin. Contact RoM at (504) 723-4666 or make donations at www.backbeatfoundation.org (please indicate Roots of Music on the PayPal form).

Program Director Derrick Tabb of the Rebirth Brass Band

You can learn more about Roots of Music at:

www.lsu.edu/fweil/AfterSchoolMusicProgram
www.therootsofmusic.com

- Matt