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Instrument Zoo provides musical trial run for area children

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BIG RAPIDS — From the clarinets to the baritone, the guitar to the trumpet, area youngsters tried their hand at playing a variety of instruments on Saturday afternoon at Artworks.

Instrument Zoo, part of the 2016 Festival of the Arts, put music at the fingertips of participants as they followed a scavenger-hunt style list of clues to visit each station. Organized by the Ferris State University chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band fraternity, Instrument Zoo aimed to foster a love of music.

At each station, Ferris students explained how to make sounds on each instrument and how to hold it properly.

"I like it because I can see how the instruments work," said 8-year-old Owen Behrens, of Barryton. "My favorite was the baritone because it was the easiest to play except for the guitar."

Ferris students also answered questions from children and parents about how the instruments made sound or where lessons might be obtained in Big Rapids.

"It's really exciting to see all the aspiring musicians, people interested in learning about instruments," said Sara Vitek, Kappa Kappa Psi vice president of programs. "I'm excited about the wide range of people who were able to come out (Saturday)."

Vitek hopes the fraternity will continue to sponsor similar community programs in the future.

"My husband is a musician and we home school," said Rebecca Kahly, of Big Rapids. "We wanted the kids to see the different instruments that make up the parts of a band."

Robin Cooter also appreciated the opportunity Instrument Zoo provided for her children.

"I think this event is awesome," said Cooter, of Chase. "I'm so glad they have these events. My youngest is very interested in music and I am not musical. Any way we can encourage his interest, we're going to go for it."

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