Music is in the air at Tyrone Area Elementary School as a group of very talented local musicians from the State College based band Simple Gifts prepare to visit. 

“Last year, Mrs. Estright and I invited the group Simple Gifts to provide workshops for our third and fourth grade students. Students were mesmerized by seeing and hearing instruments that they had never seen before. Not only was the music beautiful and expertly performed, but the duo was engaging and entertaining!” says Tyrone Music Teacher Brittany Hipp.

Simple Gifts are a nationally renowned folk and world music group composed of two women and 12 musical instruments. Combining innovation and tradition, the group has produced some of the finest arrangements in the folk music industry. They play a variety of ethnic folk styles ranging from Romanian to Appalachian. They travel around the country providing workshops to schools and colleges.  They have played at the Smithsonian.

“The members of Simple Gifts are proof that the best groups are more than the sum of their individual talents. These three women share a chemistry that infuses their music with energy, integrity, and joy. Theirs is a special gift,” said Dave Johnson of the Boston Globe.

These gifted women will be coming to the Tyrone Elementary School once again to teach multiple programs including a ukuele lesson for the 4th graders. This workshop is a special introduction to the guitar since a ukulele is basically the four upper strings of the instrument. The ukuleles are provided and in 45 minutes to an hour the students will learn the basics of strumming and finger picking. After a fun filled day of workshops, some of the fourth graders will be performing in a special concert for the public.

“Based on last year’s student reaction, we feel that the community and students will love the concert and workshops. We fully expect a great success!” comments Hipp.

Stop by the High School auditorium on Thursday, February 9th to witness this wonderful event through the showcase Simple Gifts has put together for the public. The concert will begin at 6:30 pm. It is free and open to everyone.