Flanked by her classmates Victoria Sommers and Rosalee Conner, 5-year-old Kalleigh Tinsley danced to the music of Queen, Journey and Van Morrison, Friday during Gardner Hills Child Development Center’s Jazz on the Lawn.
Kenwood High School Jazz Band performed for dozens of children ages 6 months to 5 years and their parents during the Month of the Military Child celebration event.
Wrapped in a pink and purple heart-covered gray hoodie, Kalleigh giggled as she and her classmates raised their hands in the air and swayed to the beat of the music. Songs included “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “We Will Rock You” and “Domino.”
“Do you know what’s best about dancing? Twirling around and around,” Kalleigh said, laughing.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the Department of Defense designating April as Month of the Military Child to recognize the resilience and personal sacrifices children of service members. The 2017 theme is “Military Kids: At Home Across the World.”
“Because they have so many changes in their lives – their parents coming and going – we try to maintain the consistency for them when they come here,” said April Parker, Gardner Hills CDC assistant director. “We want to celebrate them because we want them to know they are appreciated too and not left behind.”
The idea for Jazz on the Lawn evolved from Keri Mihulka, a Child and Youth Program assistant at Gardner Hills CDC. Her son, Ashton, plays alto saxophone for Kenwood. Since his father is a retired service member, Ashton said playing music for Fort Campbell children is important.
“Just to give back to the kids because they go through so much, especially being so young and having their parents deploy and be gone for so long at times,” Ashton said. “I understand that feeling. My dad went on three deployments when he was in the military and that was tough on my entire Family, so I understand how it is for them. It’s nice to give back and give them some music to listen to.”
Kenwood’s music selection varied from jazz to rock, to punk and the blues.
“We try to do a mix,” said Mary Suiter, jazz band director. “They are learning different styles of music and the audience gets to hear different styles, as well.”
Gardner Hills CDC Director Joan Nickerson said the Jazz on the Lawn event was meant to be entertaining and educational.
“It’s fun, but also good for their cognitive development for them to listen to different types of music,” she said.
Seventeen-month-old Kaylena Moore nearly bounced out of her mother, Shyla’s, arms as she wiggled to the beat of a song.
“It’s a good time building memories,” Shyla said of Jazz on the Lawn. “They learn through different ways. Music is a good way to express yourself.”
For a few of the children, dancing to the beat was only the beginning of their interest in the band.
Kalleigh said she liked listening to the drums, “because they go boom, boom, boom.”
Four-year-old Chauncy Clayton said he wanted to learn how to play the trumpet so he can perform on stage, too.
“I wish I was [in] the orchestra,” he said. “[But,] I’m having fun. I’m dancing.”
As the band played and older children danced, Spc. Arlene Richards sat with her 16-month-old son Israel on a blanket to listen to the music.
Richards, who serves in the 212th Medical Detachment, 86th Combat Support Hospital, said her children deserve the recognition they receive in April for the sacrifices they make as she serves in the Army.
“It’s important because my children – I have three – they are basically in the military as well,” she said. “They get up at like 4 or 5 in the morning just like I do. They go to SAS. They go to daycare. It makes them feel really special that the military actually recognizes and celebrates them.”
For Staff Sgt. Jude Songui Jr., spending time with his sons, Julius, 3, and Jaylan, 1, in the middle of the day was a special treat. The Soldier assigned to 541st Transportation Company, 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, listened to the concert, ate a sack lunch and then pushed his sons on the swings as they giggled and smiled.
“Every time I go to the airport, I get recognized,” Songui said. “My kids are the ones who are the reason I keep pushing – other than me fighting for my country. I really like it that they get recognized.”