An unusual fundraising effort is underway at a Malibu elementary school. The plan is to have a lot of children-some parents-do a lot of drumming in the hopes of getting some money together to beef up the music department and particularly the unique percussive program offered at Juan Cabrillo Elementary School.
Juan Cabrillo dad Nick Tidy, himself a drummer and dance music composer, stopped by the after school drumming class one Friday and was thrilled to find some talented young percussionists.
“But I [noticed] that these talented kids were playing on inferior equipment, like paint buckets, and I wanted to do something,” Tidy says.
And so he did.
Tidy has organized a five-hour after school drumming marathon at Juan Cabrillo that will take place June 7, where the children will find sponsors for their time on the drums. Corporate sponsors are also being welcomed to donate to the cause. All money raised will go toward new equipment and materials for the music classes.
Tidy first met Juan Cabrillo music teachers Ann Lambert and Eddie Marz last spring at an open house.
“He came in and sat down to play for five minutes and stayed an hour,” Marz says. “Kids wandered in and the music room transformed into an impromptu drumming session.”
That night was a large part of the inspiration for the Friday drumming classes and summer school lessons that followed.
The school district funds the instrumental program offered to fourth- and fifth-graders, but the rest of the school would be without musical inspiration if it were not for PTA funds and a dedicated teacher, Ann Lambert. Last year, Lambert chose to share her teaching position with Marz, a veteran jazz, funk and rock drummer who toured with the likes of George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
“I thought what he would add would be invaluable and we knew we wanted to do “The Lion King” for our spring show,” Lambert says.
All those who saw the school performance agree that the show went off like a Broadway production.
What developed last year was a music program with rhythm and energy that inspired both students and parents.
“Eddie [Marz] and my friend Zach, and my mom and dad have inspired me,” says Jameson Miehle, a fourth-grade drumming regular. “I still play trumpet, but drums are more exhilarating. I’ve been playing one year and I’m pretty good. I kinda want to join a rock or punk band.”
“The people who have stayed with it for a while … I think it has changed their lives,” Lambert says. “It’s given them a deep sense of accomplishment. I think the drum was originally so powerful because it represented the heartbeat. It’s communication on a deep level.”
Ten-year-old Rebecca Gray still plays violin and piano, but now her interests have turned to the jazz band that Marz organized to play school events and show off the children’s talents.
“We’re called The Party Crashers,” Gray proclaims. “It’s just really fun and exciting. When you get into it you can’t stop. I think teachers should teach drums in school, but maybe they think it’s just too loud.”
Drumming is included in programs at the middle and high school in Malibu, but Marz’ complaint is that his students go into these programs two years behind the other instrumental students.
“Since these kids had nowhere to play, we brought in our own drums and borrowed equipment. During music class and after school we offered drumming,” Marz says. “We’re doing something about it.”
The problem with this scenario is that Lambert, like many devoted teachers, has funded much of her program out of her own pocket. She is modest about estimating the $2,600 she has spent this school year on essentials, including the light and sound system in the auditorium. She also gives thanks to the talented group of professional parents who volunteer their time and experience with acting, choreography, stage direction and lighting.
Local musicians including Jack Irons, the original Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer, have sat in on the drumming sessions, and a few generous contributors have stepped in, including singer David Cassidy and local merchants Toy Crazy.
“Nick told me this [cause] is dear to his heart and that he wants his kids to have the choice to play the drums at school,” Lambert conveys.
Marz adds, “I think he, like others, would like to see drumming sanctioned, instead of on the fringe.”
“If we could make $500, it would be a welcome start,” Lambert says. “If we could make thousands, it would be a dream.”
“These are talented kids,” Tidy says. “We’re going to keep the beat going.”
The marathon will begin at 1 p.m. on the front lawn at Juan Cabrillo.