Grade-school band marches to its own beat at parade

Pounding a rhythm on a bass drum almost as heavy as his 4-foot frame, 11-year-old Stanley Alphonse stepped in time with his classmates down the 3-mile stretch of West Broadway, grinning at hundreds of people along the way.

Clutching clarinets, flutes, trumpets, cymbals, and flags, about 40 grade-schoolers from the Thomas J. Kenny School marching band -- the only one in the Boston public schools -- marched among dozens of pipe bands and floats participating in yesterday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston.

Onlookers lining the street clapped as the school's marching band went by.

The band is made up of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, said Jerry Chu , a music teacher at the school who established the ensemble three years ago.

"I think it takes a lot of determination from these kids, and takes the confidence of the school to do something like this," said Chu, who has taught at the Dorchester school for 12 years.

Chu was recognized in 2006 as Boston teacher of the year, and the group received new drums this year through an award from the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation , Boston Symphony Orchestra , and Fidelity Investments .

The band has also marched at parades in the city for Memorial Day, Dorchester Day, Roslindale Day, and Haitian Day.

Chu said his goal for next year may be to obtain uniforms. Yesterday, the band members marched in street clothes and wore green plastic leis to commemorate the day. He said he also hopes to find more time during the school day for music. Currently, the band practices only during a lunch period.

The school's principal, Suzanne Federspiel , attended the parade with the students and said the band is the perfect solution for engaging children -- especially those who do not speak English as their first language.

"Music is a universal language, and children who participate in music do better in reading and writing," she said. "It's also perfect to teach arts and performing arts."

There are no auditions, no one is turned away, and all 60 players are invited to participate in events outside of school, Chu said.

Lajuan Allen , 10 , said marching in the parade playing the trumpet made him feel "pretty famous."

"Everyone cheers us on, and I can see other bands with tubas and French horns," he said.

Fourth-grader Jessica Cotto, a clarinet player, said, "It's a really good opportunity to learn how to play an instrument, and show that to everyone."

Chu said he knows of at least one student who transferred to the Kenny School so he could play in the band.

"This is a starting point. They don't forget this when they start out this young," Chu said. "The challenge is when they leave here."

It is especially difficult to find middle schools that offer programs for drum players, Chu said.

Lakesha Allen of Dorchester said she is starting to consider options for her son, who will graduate from the Kenny School this year.

"It's hard," she said. "I appreciate that here, it gives him something to do when there is not a lot else. There are no after-school programs, and so I appreciate this as something really good for him."

A bus carrying parents and band members who needed to warm up followed close behind as the Kenny School band, trailing a high school band from Holbrook with royal blue uniforms and tasseled hats, finished the parade.

The Kenny School marchers proudly carried a banner and flags.

"It's a great opportunity to show how hard they have practiced, and they deserve that," said Porscha Anderson of Dorchester, whose son, Jamon , plays the drums.

It was the first time that Kenneara Dixon , 11, played the flute in front of a crowd.

"It's my first time playing outside of a classroom, and I'm nervous to go up in front of everybody and mess up, but it's exciting, too," she said.