For the Reporter
M-Power Youth partnered with Mill Creek Middle School, Centro Rendu and the Kent Arts Commission to conduct a recent two-week music camp for a class of nine disadvantaged students who had no musical training.
Classes were taught by several music teachers and several volunteers at Mill Creek. The intensive summer camp met three hours each day and concluded with a mini concert on Aug. 15 at the Kent Senior Activity Center.
In two weeks students learned nine songs, playing seven at the concert.
Parents and friends asked for an encore from the band members and afterward told organizers how much they appreciated the program.
M-Power Youth is a community-led partnership of professional and voluntary musicians. Its mission is to provide academic or economic disadvantaged youth a path to becoming self-confident and productive citizens through participation in the arts.
M-Power Youth says that opportunities require that individuals have an education in a needed skill.
“Our project is dedicated to enabling those youth to obtain an education so as to become productive members of our community,” said Jim Renton, board chairman of M-Power.
“M-Power Youth seeks to transform the lives of youth by providing instructional time in music, in a welcoming and safe environment beyond their regular school day, thereby providing a foundation for students to learn and improve their self-confidence and capabilities,” Renton said.
M-Power Youth says it intends to continue working in partnership with the Kent School District administration and Mill Creek leaders to initiate the program as an after-school opportunity this fall. Music teachers and volunteers will conduct the music program.
The program will provide snacks and opportunities to win awards, including the owning of a new musical instrument and playing at various venues as students become more proficient in playing as a group.
Additionally, professionals from various career genres will speak periodically to the students to help them identify their career vision.
DKG Educational Foundation, Muckleshoot Charity, Boeing Employees Choir and the Korum For Kids Foundation are major supporters of the program.
M-Power Youth seeks volunteer help in various roles.
For more information about M-Power Youth, to donate financially or volunteer, please email jimrenton26416@comcast.net
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