OGDEN -- Students at Mound Fort Middle School kicked off their trimester Tuesday with beating drums, screeching guitars and a smoke machine. They celebrated being in school with a genuine rock concert.
This is the second time the Salt Lake City rock group Going Second has played at the school through the auspices of a nonprofit group called Music Makes Music. The group visits schools in Utah, Colorado and Idaho to promote both bringing music into students' lives and staying in school.
Students excitedly filled the auditorium and carefully picked seats that would get them up to the stage quickly once the music started.
Principal Kevin Kuykendall heard about the group and program from Mount Ogden Junior High School Principal Trevor Wilson after the group performed at his school at the beginning of the school year.
Because it is a nonprofit organization, the concert is free for the students, but the school donates money to Music Makes Music.
"I would dare say that most of these students have never been to a rock concert before, so this is a great opportunity for them," Kuykendall said as he ushered students to their seats. Kuykendall gave strict instructions to the students about concert etiquette. Squeals and cheers erupted when he said students would be able to come to the front of the stage and dance once the show started, but he was careful to point one thing out: "There will be no mosh pit."
Twin sisters Stephanie and Season Bernal sat eagerly on the front row, waiting for the show to start. Stephanie proudly wore a Going Second pin and fidgeted nervously while waiting for the band. Both girls remembered well the band's previous visit.
"It's going to be really fun and really loud," Stephanie said. She plays in the school band and loves any kind of music, so for her the concert is a nice reward.
"They have good songs, and the other reason why I like it is they are hot!" Season exclaimed.
Seventh-grader Israel Moreno also enjoyed the show.
"It's pretty cool. It's a real privilege to get out of class," Moreno said.
That's exactly the reaction Kuykendall was hoping for.
"We want them to know that school can be a fun place, and hard work can be rewarded," he said.
Band members spent nearly the whole day talking to students between classes and offering encouragement to stay in school and to get involved with music of some sort.
"They promote educational achievement, and that's what it's all about," Kuykendall said.
Between songs, too, the musicians talked about the importance of staying in school and enjoying music.
"Music helps your mind," lead singer Josh Alfaro shouted to the students, who cheered and raised their hands in the air as Alfaro praised Kuykendall as well. "You know you have the coolest principal ever!"
The band had a short question-and-answer session during which they shared how they got into music and various ways the students could get started. Alfaro also told students they could e-mail him with questions.
Eighth-grader Marianely Hernandez fanned her face as she came from the front of the pack of students to sit for a brief break. She said she loved the concert.
"It's so good. I love the meaning of their music," Hernandez said.
Karen Zgonc, marketing director for Music Makes Music, said the nonprofit group started last September and so far has visited 70 schools, reaching about 150,000 students.
Going Second band members are part of the nonprofit group and have found the experience to be very rewarding, Zgonc said. The group also toured with the Vans Warped Tour.
"Our goal is to strengthen music programs," Zgonc said.
Kuykendall believes the program does just that.
"Anything we can do to enhance performing arts and let these kids see firsthand what music can do for them is what we want," Kuykendall said.
For more information on the Music Makes Music program, visit the Web site at www.musicmakesmusic.com.
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