Making a ruckus

COEUR d'ALENE - A happy, smiling gang of kids banged pots, pans and buckets as they stepped in synch across a hallway Monday morning at Lake City High School.

The third- through eighth-graders were learning how to turn cacophonous clamor into pounding, orchestrated performance rhythms.

Welcome to Stomp Camp, a one-day musical education experience offered by Lake City High School's alternative percussion group, Ruckus Stomp.

"We just have a lot of fun, and we make it fun for them while they learn something about music," said Cam Veeder, a 16-year-old sophomore and one of the Ruckus Stomp members turned camp leader.

The Stomp performance concept was originally inspired by street performers, and has evolved into, "STOMP," an award-winning, internationally touring show.

Performers create music and rhythms using unconventional items and a heavy dose of physical movement.

The 100 young campers came to Lake City High prepared, carrying an array of household items ready to beat on.

Setting aside their bundt pans, soup pots and skillets, the kids snared the floor with drumsticks as Veeder helped them learn how to subdivide beats in time to fruit names, "Apple, apple, apple, apple. Pear, pear, pear, pear. Strawberry, Strawberry, Strawberry, Strawberry."

Scott Culpepper, a 17-year-old senior member of Ruckus, led a group of youngsters through the theatrical techniques.

Culpepper told his charges to throw an open hand up in the air and take a step, but make it a stomp. Do it with emotion, intensity and don't be afraid to look silly, Culpepper urged.

"When you do this as a group, you are the most charismatic and amazing people in this school, in this city," he said.

The kids followed Culpepper, like giggling Michael Jackson "Thriller" zombies, as he stepped hard and loudly across the floor.

Brianna Whalen, 16, a Lake City junior violinist, acted as one of the all-day camp's helpers, guiding the children and supporting the group leaders.

"It's fun to watch the little kids have fun," Whalen said. "It's fun to be out of the box. It's unconventional, and it's a lot more fun for them than day care."

Music instructor Tim Sandford has helped lead the Ruckus Stomp group at Lake City High School for about seven years.

The camp is a way to expose youngsters to music while teaching them teamwork and build their self-confidence, Sandford said.

"Learning music is such a worthwhile lifelong endeavor," he said.

Ruckus Stomp members aren't just drummers, but high school students from various creative avenues.

"It's all about what you bring to the table," Sandford said.

Kris Heglie, 16, who plays saxophone and bass clarinet, said being part of Ruckus Stomp is "a blast."

"There's so much satisfaction you get from pounding on stuff, and you're making music. It's just awesome," Heglie said.