Lemira percussion group is going to Disney World

Photos by Belton White / The Item Members of the Lemira Elementary Percussion Ensemble perform on Wednesday night in First Baptist Church's Family Life Center. The ensemble was invited to perform in Orlando, Fla., in December at the Blue Ribbon Schools Blueprint for Excellence Conference and is raising money to go.

Lemira Elementary Percussion Photo Gallery

By BELTON WHITE
Item Staff Writer
bwhite@theitem.com

Many members of First Baptist Church found it hard not to nod their heads or tap their toes when Lemira Elementary School's percussion ensemble performed for them Wednesday night.

The ensemble played at the Family Life Center to raise money for its trip to Orlando, Fla., to perform at the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference on Dec. 11. The school is currently raising money for the three-day trip, which will cost $8,000.

When First Baptist Senior Pastor Dr. Stephen Burnette started in August, one of his goals was to increase the downtown Sumter church's community involvement, said church member Kim Johnston, who also teaches third grade at Lemira.

"He has really inspired us to be community minded," she said.

Johnston hopes to help start a mentoring program between church members and students. When she found out the ensemble had been asked to perform in Florida, she wanted to get the church involved.

"I said we have to do something, so we put this together," she said. "There is no way these children won't be able to go."

The group uses a variety of instruments, including several types of drums, in addition to using trash cans and five-gallon buckets.

According to the ensemble's leader, music teacher Leila Long, the students invest at least 600 hours a year in practices and performances.

"We don't practice during school hours," she said. "We always practice after hours. Most of our performances are on the weekend or after school is over."

Long created the ensemble 11 years ago after taking a percussion class at the University of South Carolina and learning about a group in Kentucky. She contacted the director, started her own band and has since received more than $35,000 in grants from private organizations and donors.

Through the years, the group has averaged about 32 students each year. This year, it has 33 students. Many of the older students have been on the ensemble for a couple of years.

"They like performing, they like the people, they like the styles of music that we play, they enjoy being a group, they enjoy being together," Long said. "When they're playing, that's when the magic happens."

Performers range from 4- to 11-year-olds, including a preschooler and a former Lemira student who still often plays with the group. All are enthusiastic about being in the ensemble.

"It feels nice; I can learn new things," said Payton Reese, a 9-year-old fourth-grader. "Like when we go places, it teach us like — out to eat, it teaches us how to use our manners — and that's why I like being in percussion."

Besides learning how to play the instruments, students make friends with other bands members who might be in different grade levels, in addition to meeting people at performances.

"I like being on percussion band because it helps build your confidence and you get to learn new things like, if you want to grow up you can be a percussion teacher, and that'll help you out in the future," said Niya Loveless, a 10-year-old fifth-grader, who is interested in pursuing a career in music.

While on the trip, students will be able to go into a theme park, in addition to performing, and the children are excited for all different reasons.

"When I go to Orlando, when I first see Disney World, I will fall out," said 10-year-old Alexis Richardson, a fourth-grader. "I'm going to break down crying, pulling my hair."

Contact Staff Writer Belton White at bwhite@theitem.com or (803) 774-1295.

To watch the ensemble perform on YouTube, go to
http://bit.ly/xpdiL, http://bit.ly/2S4mEp, http://bit.ly/21LcH0 and http://bit.ly/35ZeHm

HOW TO HELP
If you'd like to donate to the trip, call the school at (803) 775-0658 or send donations to Lemira Elementary School, 952 E. Fulton St., Sumter, SC 29150. Make checks payable to Lemira Elementary and note that it is for the percussion trip.