Bookmans has long been a supporter of music education in our schools. That's why we are so proud to announce the start of Music in the Classroom, or our MIC program, in Flagstaff. Starting in September, MIC will provide free music education to 400 students in 16 Flagstaff Head Start classrooms.

We will be working with popular local musician Chuck Cheesman to provide 16 weeks of free instruction to pre-school students. Cheesman will also be leading free ukelele workshops for teachers so they can incorporate music into their curriculum. Each classroom will receive a ukulele, a children's music CD, and hours of great music and movement education, including singing, dancing, and basic percussion.

Cheesman has led several children's music workshops and instructed the Obama family in his Chicago program.

“Early music education has been proven to help kids develop skills necessary for math and reading later in life,” said Kate Beles, Bookmans' Flagstaff Community Coordinator. “The movement is also healthy for their little bodies and makes focusing easier for the rest of the day.”

Bookmans believes that the Music in the Classroom program is an extension of our continued support of literacy and education in communities. We hope this program fosters a deep and lasting love of music for all kids involved.

“Public schools are facing funding cuts and music education is often the first to go,” said Andrew Shkolnik, store manager of Bookmans Flagstaff. “Bookmans wants to find a way to help keep music in the schools.”

For more information on the Music in the Classroom program, please contact Kate Beles at kateb@bookmans.com.