Music

Local Youths Need Musicians as Mentors

Emily Kuhn |

In an effort to inspire and enable even more young people – and provide many with an opportunity to experience the arts that they wouldn’t have otherwise had – the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley launched a program this year called Music Makers, which pairs community musicians with club participants and teaches them how to play musical instruments. “We received some donations of guitars and pianos and felt it would be neat to bring music to our members,” said Area Director Mike McHorney. “Many of them haven’t had the opportunity to play a music instrument, and this way they can.” Since the program’s January 2010 launch, 40 youths have participated, and McHorney predicts even larger numbers as the program expands into summer – an expansion that will require more volunteers. “We’re really looking for those who have a passion for music and who want to share that,” McHorney said about the club, which had 818 registered members last year. Anyone interested in volunteering with or learning more about the program can contact the club at 855-0081.