A Day of Music In a School Year Sorely Lacking It

So when the National Anthem Project comes in for one day, Gill welcomes the chance to expose Jefferson students to enthusiastic musicians. "It's a whole lot better than nothing," the teacher says. But it is only one day.

Similarly, Gill thanks the D.C. chapter of the Grammy Foundation for responding to a column I wrote on the lack of a band, chorus or music teacher at Sousa Middle School, the Southeast school named for the father of American band music. The foundation donated $2,500 for instruments and a stipend for an instructor so Sousa can start an after-school drum line of 15 or 20 students, says chapter director Shannon Emamali. At many schools that lost their music programs, she says, teachers of other subjects are trying to cobble together ensembles as a way to put at least a little music back in the program.

"That's a very good gesture at Sousa," Gill says, "but you need to do it correctly -- an in-school teacher, with regular classes, so you can reach the kids you need to get to."

CHIME, a music education advocacy group in the District, has stepped up donations of instruments and has found volunteers to teach music in after-school programs. But it's up to the school system to restore the arts to the classroom and deliver something more than one-shots and after-hours add-ons.

"Music and art are the only two classes you can take that can get you scholarships to college," Gill says. "Music can reach some kids who don't see success in other academics."

The Anthem Project set up some drums for students to try. Within minutes, a crowd gathered to watch Somali Wade, 13, show off a powerful and varied series of polished rhythms. Where'd you learn that? I asked.

"Taught myself," he said. "Play piano, too."

He'd never had a lesson on any instrument, in school or out. He wasn't proud of that.

E-mail:marcfisher@washpost.com