Written by Ben Cox – A group of kids sitting in a circle listening to an instructor sounds an awful lot like school on first blush. Looking closer you will find their attention engaged and not a cell phone in sight.

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What could accomplish such a herculean feat? Music Camp at Brownwood Music, lead by local music instructor Jackie Andersen, who teaches music at the Northwest Elementary Head Start Program .

Andersen, who has been teaching music for over 20 years, came up with the idea after seeing a wealth of opportunities for kids in athletics but not much in the way of the arts during the summer. “There were football camps, and basketball camps, and cheer camps, and I thought why not a music camp. So I contacted Miss Jodie about putting it on.”

After moving to Texas in 2005, Andersen has looked for ways to keep area kids plugged in to music and learning about performance, for reason other than just making a buck or two. “I wanted to give them a lifetime gift. When you learn to play a musical instrument, it stays with you for a lifetime.”

The kids take 30 minute lessons every day in Drums, Ukulele, Piano, Guitar and Voice (taught by store owner Jodie Armstrong), with the hopes that the exposure will lead them to inquire about how they can continue with music. Andersen teaches lessons at Brownwood music and has seen an increase in sign ups since introducing the classes four years ago.

The course runs four days every summer, wrapping up tomorrow with a recital for parents so they can hear the songs, and skills, their children have learned during camp. Each child chooses a song to perform on their instrument of choice for the recital.

Information about lessons can be found by visiting the store at 201 W. Baker in downtown, or by calling Ms Andersen at 325-998-8433.

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