We have all seen public service announcements advocating the importance of art and music for kids. Many of us listen to music to and from and sometimes during work. Music has inspired us and facilitates a range of emotions. Sometimes it can recall old memories and good times. The way music affects us is influential to who we are.

The Craig County School District wants to offer music for its students, but it has had its problems cut out for them in terms of funding a music program. Recent budget issues have kept Craig County from providing as solid a music program as it would desire.

But on Thursday Dec. 11, Craig County High School will hold a benefit concert featuring The Farewell Drifters to raise proceeds for instruments within the district.

Craig County music teacher Philip Gilbert was the man responsible behind this upcoming event. Focusing largely on string instruments and music the Appalachia region, Gilbert has made it his mission to keep music alive for his students.

“I’ve wanted to teach a guitar program or anything with stringed instruments, to create something to spark the kids’ interest,” Gilbert said. Having spent much of his own life studying and learning to play music, he has aspired to create a legitimate music-in-the-classroom program for his students living in Craig County.

“Being in such a rural setting, lots of people enjoy folk and bluegrass music,” Gilbert said. Craig County only has about 700 students K-12. However, offering the opportunity is important for students to recognize music at a local level.

Having met with lead vocalists Zach Bevill of The Farewell Drifters around two years ago in Floyd, Gilbert had contacted him about hosting a benefit to save music in his school district. Bevill said, “We were just really excited we could help out.” Having studied music for four years at Belmont University, Zach has shown his devotion to learning about music.

To let the music program diminish in Craig County would be a travesty to all those artists we enjoy hearing now. It is also detrimental to the children who would never get the opportunity to discover the joy of playing an instrument.

“When I was in school I was involved in music as early as I could be; I just couldn’t wait to go to music class,” Bevill said. The band will be playing a variety of cover songs along with hits from their current album Sweet Summer Breeze.

You can help save the music for Philip Gilbert and his students and hear a great bluegrass concert by a dynamic young band by going to New Castle Thursday at the Craig County High School Auditorium. Tickets will be sold for $10 and can be purchased at the door or online at www.dlpconcerts.com. The starting time is at 7 p.m.

Wheatley Stefan is an intern for the New River Voice.