About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2011)
G rowing up in Conyers, GA, music education wasn't just encouraged, it was enforced. As a fifth-grader, I was offered a choice: sit in a classroom, alone, and write reports on musical instruments, or choose one and play it with the rest of your friends in band class. I was a fairly shy, reticent child—shy enough even to briefly consider the former option—but I ultimately chose the latter, picked up a saxo phone and fell in love. I was lucky—blessed, even (and that's not a word I use lightly)—and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences that early childhood music education afforded me. I wouldn't be writing for this publica tion today without it. A mere decade and a half later, however, schools all over the country are tightening their belts, and the choices for musically inclined children are diminishing. That's where the Lance Tilton Foundation is trying to step in. While those in Athens likely knew Lance best for his steady gig with the long-running Dave Matthews Cover Band (I know I spent many a fond evening bopping along with the DMCB back in college, and they often gave more bang for your buck than the genuine article), he was also making waves as a member of the Ben Dickman Band and as a sometime drummer for Zac Brown. Tilton's life was cut tragically short by a car accident in May of 2010, but his family remained determined to realize his dream of making music education available to children from all walks of life. Rick Barnett, Lance's step dad, explains: "Lance always won dered when he was a kid why, in school, they don't teach rock and roll. His dre?m was always to have a foundation to help kids who couldn't afford tuition to, like, the School of Rock— they're like 300 dollars a month—to get started. So, now it's been set up. It's a non-profit. You fill out an application—it's primarily for people who are less fortunate financially—proving that you can't afford to send your student to one of these pri vate schools for music lessons. We collect financial donations and gently used instruments, and we donate the instruments for free. It doesn't cost them anything if they qualify. It's his dream come true." While this project is still in its infancy, Barnett has high hopes for the future. "We've talked to a lot of music stores and put out posters," he continues. "They're spreadin' the word. If any kids come along they've all agreed to contact us. CNN has contacted someone on our board, and I think they're going to air something on us. We're hoping that so many people do this that they get the word out so we can find the students that need help. That's what it's all about." For those who want to get involved, any donations, both financial and instrumental, would be welcome. "I've already got a guitar and some flutes," Barnett says. "My daughter in Texas* someone gave her a piano. She's got some instruments out there that've been donated." As for volunteering, he says to visit www.lancetiltonfoundation.org, and you'll find all the contact information there. With a 30-band fundraiser just wrapped a few days ago, and an even bigger concert event planned for the summer, this group may soon need all the help it can get. For anyone who knew Lance Tilton, or anyone who was handed an instrument in elementary school and finds him- or herself better for it today, this is undoubtedly a cause worth fighting for. David Fitzgerald flagpole \ * i mmKE Join us for our Spring Open House April 15-17 Mon.-Sat, -9*6, Sun. 12-5 A U « H U I fl WPLACE .All Trees and Shrubs Guaranteed tor 2 wars. r ■'< . . L • 9 Staffed by Georgia Green Industry Certified Professionals Est. 1922 1145 Mitchell Bridge Rd. Athens, Georgia 3.0606 Phone (706) 153-1519 Want the First Tomato? Start with our huge 1 gallon plants. Choose from several varieties. *4.99 These are some of the best ones In Athensl Boston Fern Sale! Hurry While Supplies Last! *12.99 Reg. $19.99 10” Hanging Basket flagpole * V * liWir Pkki, ThankYou Flagpole Readers! Want an Easy-To-Grow Rose? The Knockout™ series needs no care to have beautiful blooms spring, summer and fall! Choose from pink, rod, yellow, white or double. Endless Summer Hydrangea Is a repeat bloomer that will rebloom Spring through Fall. Your Mom will enjoy those beatlful blue blooms all yearI The more who know about Project Safe, the more can find help. When you are struggling to meet the demands of a controlling and jealous partner it is hard to plan for the future. Project Safe has advocates available to help you sort through what options are available to you, and how you can stay safe while you explore those options. All services are free and confidential. 706-543-3331 Hotline, 24 hours/day Linea de crisis, las 24 horas del dia APRIL 13, 2011 FLAGPOLE.COM 25
