Musicians from the Lee University Percussion Ensemble played and taught students about their instruments during Music Day.

Music Day, first held in 2017, is made possible by the Aldridge/Patten Fund for Visiting Artists, started by Henry Aldridge and the late Fontaine Patten Moore, both from the class of 1955.

In a pre-recorded message shared with students, Dr. Aldridge noted that, “Miss Bright believed that music was very, very important.” Aldridge participated in many music activities during his time at Bright School, saying that he and fellow classmates “played Country Gardens on our recorders just like many of you.”

The ensemble played several selections during an opening assembly and showed how their instruments vary in size, material and sound, from the familiar snare drum to the lesser known marimba. 

After the assembly performance, each class was able to rotate through a “petting zoo” of instruments, trying their hands at drums, bongos, maracas, cymbals and shakers. The day concluded with a drum circle for fourth and fifth graders where they worked on dynamics, 8-beat call and responses and rhythm improv.