By Teresa Brummett
Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD — Whether it be the tunes on the radio or the song of the whippoorwill, it’s a proven fact that students who participate in music have better grades, attendance and fewer discipline problems than students who are not involved in music.
Carole Stephens, or Miss Carole, as her students in Park Ridge know her, recently visited Lincoln Land Community College. She brought her 27 years of teaching experience and a lot of fun with her.
Stephens was joined by her fellow Macaroni Soup band member Clarence Goodman. Together, they sang and played music along with doing some fun activities.
Stephens started Macaroni Soup 16 years ago. And 3½ years ago, she met Goodman, who is a historian and song writer, as well as a musician. They travel all over the United States doing seminars and family concerts teaching children and parents what music can do for them.
Stephens involved herself when her very own school tried to get rid of the music programs.
“I walked into the school meetings wearing three hats: One of a concerned parent, one of a taxpayer and one of a teacher,” she said.
She fought the decision, highlighting the fact that music students did better in school.
On Sept. 30, Stephens and Goodman entertained about 30 children and parents in the A.Lincoln Commons. Everyone joined in with songs such as “Jump! Jim Joe,” “BAM,” and “Have a seat on the floor.”
Stephens and Goodman also played like they were fish, and everyone would swim around.
They ended the evening with a song called “Stinky Cake Song,” where a kid would say what he thought was stinky and the duo would incorporate it into the song.
Stephens and Goodman said that they do have a reason for the silliness though. All the silly games and songs were actually teaching the children some of the basics like math and science, they said. Their music teaches the difference between soft and loud, and fast and slow, while using music dynamics of opposites to teach.
Stephens and Goodman had the children’s full attention, especially when Goodman pulled out a bag full of fake snowballs and began a snowball fight.
The event was sponsor by Student United Way. The group’s adviser, Melissa Franzen, was glad the students were handling most of the event because she was glad to be able to get down on the floor and enjoy the concert.
Teresa Brummett can be reached at [email protected].