Sweet sounds

COEUR d'ALENE - Members of the North Idaho Music Teachers Association kicked off their 10th anniversary celebration Friday by bringing a special guest speaker to their monthly meeting.

Verne Windham, KPBX classical radio host and director of the Spokane Youth Symphony, talked to 16 members of the local chapter of the Music Teachers National Association.

"We're looking to promote interest in music in the community," said Theresa Hinrichsen, the group's director of programs.

It's not easy, she said, since there are a lot of distractions these days with the iPod and electronics taking the place of music people used to make themselves.

The organization, made up primarily of longtime private music lesson instructors with home studios, is planning an anniversary banquet in June.

Windham spoke to the group gathered at the Church of the Nazarene about the role music plays in creating a community's image, and how it's heavily influenced by civic needs and business interests.

North Idaho's big success story is the Coeur d'Alene Symphony, Windham said.

Capturing tourist dollars helps convince "the powers that be" that musical endeavors are worthy of support, he said.

"Institutions are essential to what we do," Windham said.

Like the symphony, the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre is an example of how partnerships work between music lovers, players and community leaders.

He pointed to the Festival at Sandpoint, a venue initially created, he said, with a classical music agenda. Through the years, other genres were added as well as training programs that attract national figures. Through the festival, an economic base has been created, he said.

In Post Falls, Windham considers the Jacklin Center a testament to that city's commitment to promoting the arts. He recently attended an event at the historic church that was turned into a gallery and stage.

"I was really taken by how they are building a culture and a civilization around that venue," Windham said.

Things have been more difficult for folks in the Silver Valley, he said.

Windham spoke of a Kellogg band director who looks back longingly at the "glory days" when the mining industry was thriving, and he could get anything he wanted for his musicians.

Windham talked about Garrison Keillor, creator and host of Minnesota Public Radio's "A Prairie Home Companion." The old-time variety show features guest musicians, skits and news from Lake Wobegon, a fictional, yet very realistic Minnesota town.

"The actors gave the town an identity, built an infrastructure of institutions that love and need music," Windham said.

That's what carries a community's music through tough economic times, he said, because even when dollars are down, music lovers are still just as passionate.

Throughout his musical career, he has witnessed tremendous growth and change in music.

There has been an "explosion of diversity," he said.

"In discovering diversity, we get out of the cliche about loving music," Windham said.

Listeners aren't just enjoying music because it helps them recall another time, they're hearing new sounds and rhythms, he said.

Today's young musicians have changed as well.

"There is an amazing rise in skill in the kids," Windham said.

It's likely because music teaching has improved through the years, and because children have more role models and ways to access music.

How can musicians, music advocates and teachers do an even better job of reaching kids in a world that is constantly changing?

"I guess maybe we should teach the skill of versatility," he said.

Windham believes it's important to teach those things that are beyond the printed page, beyond the physical skills and ability to read music.

Music teachers need to give their students the courage, he said, to try new things like make music spontaneously or learn to play by ear.

"The deep thing we do is communicate deeply. We open the kid up to music," he said. "We have to do everything we can. We are responsible to share the passion, help civilization discover its need for music."

The North Idaho Music Teachers Association will host a student recital at 2 p.m. March 21 at the Church of the Nazarene, 4000 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene. Free and open to the public, it will feature students of association members.

Information: 772-7928