We asked founding Shaking Ray Levi Society member (and percussionist extraordinaire) Bob Stagner about the SRLS’s ongoing commitment to schools.

The Shaking Ray Levi Society produces an interactive drum workshop for students at schools and recreation centers. These students at Carver Recreation Center created a sonic vocabulary with hand drums and simple percussion instruments!

Chattanooga Parent: The SRLS has a long history of being involved in the schools. What was the original impetus to get involved?

Bob Stagner: It’s funny to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Twenty-five years ago, when SRLS was a baby, our group invited itself to be a part of Allied Arts Artist-in Residence (AIR) program. Artists were asked to present their work in workshop/performance. There’s always been a focus to direct students to band or orchestra systems, but nothing for the children thinking beyond and into the normal/healthy/creative world of improvisation. In writing, and sometimes drawing, students are asked to create from available resources, but never sound. So we tried, without really knowing it at the time, to fill a void. A void that exists to this day, now that most AIR programs are being replaced by field trips. I’ve now had the rare chance to meet with teachers from our days of early development and have been surprised to hear how our methods are comparing to 45 years ago.

CP: What schools are you currently working with? What are you bringing to them?

BS: As working artists living in Chattanooga, you cannot stand still or refuse to evolve. We are open to any any and all schools that invite us. In the past decade, we have been working with the most underserved, but most deserving, such as Dawn School in Bradley County, Dade Elementary in Hamilton County and in rural areas. Great things are happening in these places—for example East Lake Middle’s weeklong acoustic/electric instrument-building workshop presented last year, and preschool/adult classes at the Signal Centers.

CP: Do you foresee more community/schools partnerships as districts are forced to grapple with budget cuts?

BS: Yes. We have joined forces with a number of organizations. Our work with TRAP (The Rhythmic Arts Project) a proven percussion-therapy program is a perfect fit with our existing workshops. We now have residences in Signal Centers, Orange Grove Center, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, VSA in Nashville, Sweetwater Autism Camp, Tennessee Association for the Deaf and Blind, and teach throughout the South—not just at schools, but centers working with all intellectual disabilities. Budgets are always going to be an issue, but where there’s a will there’s a way.

CP: What would make community/school partnerships even better?

BS: Just shadow anyone working with the arts and in our schools. We welcome you. For more information about the SRLS, visit www.shakingray.com