Department of Music presents for children at local library

Members from University of the Cumberlands’ (UC) Department of Music recently presented an “Instrument Petting Zoo” at Whitley County Public Library as part of the library’s summer learning series entitled “Libraries Rock.”

Local children sat and enjoyed the fun as UC musicians performed songs using flute, clarinet, trombone, trumpet and various percussive instruments. After the brief performance, children were able to touch the instruments and even play a number of them.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Sharon McGinley, a staff accompanist at UC who helped lead the presentation. “It was exciting and rewarding to see all their little faces light up. A lot of them knew what the instruments were, but they had never gotten to hold the instruments or make sound from them. We gave them that opportunity.”

Cumberlands’ music department is routinely involved in local schools through its musical education program; however, this was the first time a local organization has invited the department to lead a children’s event. The department hopes to increase its community involvement this year.