PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA TO HOST MUSICAL LOCK-IN

By Michelle Ireton
The University Leader

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the College Music Educators National Conference will be hosting a unique lock-in for middle and high school music students in the surrounding area. Students within 30 miles of Hays will have to chance to participate in the lock-in.

Christopher Johnson, a senior in the music department and Phi Mu member, said the lock-in is designed to serve two primary functions.

"We are doing the lock-in to provide ourselves with an opportunity to practice giving music instruction to young music students before we go out and teach in the music profession ourselves,"Johnson said. "We want to provide area music students with the opportunity to learn from sources they wouldn’t normally get to encounter."

Tyler Hughes, president of Phi Mu, hopes the lock-in will serve as a learning experience for both the visitors and the college students helping out.

"It’s a learning service tool for the aspiring music instructors that are now in college. It will give them first hand experience in the teaching field," Hughes said. "It will show kids firsthand what they will do in college as a music major."

The lock-in will have courses and games directed by many of the music instructors at FHSU. A variety of games testing the students’ musical ability and knowledge will be featured, with multiple events running at the same time.

"We want to make sure there is something for everybody. If the students don’t want to participate in a particular event, they can find something else that interests them more," Johnson said.

One of the courses offered during the lock-in will be styled off of the popular game show, "American Idol." Students will be able to play or sing a prepared piece and members of the music faculty and music majors will critique their performance.

Gary Brattin, director of the athletic bands, will be running a marching band contest similar to "Simon Says." Other games include "Name that Tune," and "Music Olympics."

Hughes said the group hopes for a strong turnout of 50 to 100 kids.

The event will be Oct. 19 in Malloy Hall.

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