Fifteen-Year-Old MFLA Recipient Presented With Flute and Clarinet

FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD MFLA INSTRUMENT RECIPIENT INSPIRES WITH DEDICATION TO MUSIC

 

ST. LOUIS, MO - Fifteen-year-old Kelle is excited about his first year in the marching band at Hazelwood Central High School . "Our band director is really cool," Kelle says. "But he also makes sure we know when to joke around and when to be serious." The multi-talented teen plays seven instruments including flute, bassoon, clarinet, trumpet, marimba, vibes and baritone, and is an "A" student with dreams of becoming a professional musician. He is also a child in the Missouri Foster Care system.

Though Kelle has played instruments since the 4th grade, and has been interested in music his entire life, he really became serious about his studies over the past couple of years. As an 8th grader, he was a member of the E. Desmond Lee Honors Band through the University of Missouri-St. Louis, as well as the Alton Symphony. He was recently accepted at Hazelwood Central and realized that he needed a new clarinet and flute to be able to participate in band and orchestra.

Though his foster parents are extremely supportive, like many parents it was a struggle for them to afford the instruments he needed. That is where Jennifer Deaton of Epworth Children and Family Services came in. "I called around to everywhere I could think of to try to find instruments for Kelle - instrument stores, music stores, the Symphony. They directed me to the Music for Lifelong Achievement program at The Sheldon and I was so grateful!"

Dale Benz, Music For Lifelong Achievement Coordinator, and Paul Reuter , Sheldon Executive Director, presented Kelle with a flute and clarinet on August 13 - just in time for school to start.

Christy Keele of Voices for Children has worked with Kelle for 3 years, and says she has seen a remarkable change and growth in Kelle since he dedicated himself to music. "Music has made him much more stable and made a huge difference in his life. He has flourished in the past two years." Case worker Linda Godfrey agrees. "Kelle is like a breath of fresh air! He is a great kid, a hard worker, and music is therapeutic for him." Godfrey says that Kelle practices up to 5 hours a day, although he is learning that too much practice can be a bad thing. He says, "My advIce To someone who wants to be a serious music student is to practice, but not too much. Practice, but don't get bored. Practice and be able to wake up the next morning and feel refreshed - like you want to practice again."

These wise-beyond-his-years statements are typical for Kelle who cites music from the Romantic Era as his favorite to listen to, and the music of Handel as his favorite to play. His family inspired him to pursue music - they are all musicians - and his current goal is to win a spot on the All-State Band. "Playing in the state band," Kelle mentions, "is a great way to get a college scholarship." He hopes to attend the Kansas City Conservatory when he graduates.

"Musicians have to remember that we don't have to be perfect. The point of playing is to let yourself grow and see the progress of the other musicians around you," Kelle says. "Audiences don't want to hear perfect, they want to hear something beautiful. Don't over do it."

The Starbucks/Music for Lifelong Achievement Instrument drive begins September 11. Visit www.supportmfla.org for more details.

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