Strings for Kids keep tunes alive in the community

Tools

Story Published: Feb 7, 2010 at 8:31 PM MST

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2010 at 3:04 PM MST

By Emily Florez

Video
IDAHO FALLS - As you've been hearing for months, schools are being threatened with a potential 10-12% percent budget cut this next school year. The Strings for Kids foundation is assuring that our kids, no matter what schools decide, will still be able to play out their passion.

Jacie Sites, Co-owner of Strings for Kids, said, "You can't charge for this. If someone wants it and they can't afford it they need to be able to have music in their lives. There are kids who need sports, or whatever their thing is they identify with, they need to be able to have that in their life, no matter what it takes."

From the small start of only 16 students Strings for Kids now teaches more than 150 under-privileged youth. And since they opened six years ago they have taught sweet medleys to over 300 youngsters.

Joe Sites, Co-Owner of Strings for Kids, said, "The thing is you never know who the next best player in the world will be, they may come out of this program. Or what if the best player who has ever played may have never had an opportunity to play. You just don't know where they are going to come from."

Joe and Jacie receive the support of thousands who come to hear their fiddling. Jacie said, "We didn't think that it was going to happen like this because of the recession we have been hearing that concerts haven't been as well attended. But I think we had a good turn out because of the cause, you know people want to see children get what they need."

Last night's concert at the Civic Auditorium raised more than $10,000 and Jacie arranged all the musical numbers.

You'd think seeing her work put in action at the concert would be her favorite part, but it's not. Jacie said, "My favorite part is, there is a spot where students when students come to their lessons, I don't just teach them anymore, we play music together. I love that."

So no matter what school authorities fade out of the budget, Strings for Kids will continue to keep the tunes alive in the community.

For those interested in becoming involved with strings for kids or just wanting to donate to the cause visit www.stringsforkids.org.

Current Weather

Icon
Current Temp 32.0 °F
Mostly Cloudy
Video
More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Stay Connected

Viewer Poll

Since state law requires a balanced state budget, Gov. Otter is concerned that falling tax revenue might force the state to make much deeper cuts than currently planned. What do you think about the Idaho law requiring a balanced budget?

  • It seemed like a good idea at the time, but these are unusual times. How much more can we cut out of education, etc.? We need to revisit the balanced budget law.
  • If more education funding and state services need to be cut, so be it. Sometimes it's painful to live within a budget, but it's the right thing to do.
  • Not sure.

Connect with KIDK