Muskogee Students Record Songs with A Purpose At Hall Of Fame

The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame celebrates the accomplishments of famous Oklahoma musicians. On Monday, a recording session at the Hall of Fame was dedicated to a group of musicians whose accomplishments are still ahead of them.

Fifth- and sixth-graders graders from Muskogee's Cherokee Elementary School are recording an original song, "Oklahoma Soul." It was written by Brad Henderson, Michael

Rappe, and Jim Blair. Blair is also the Executive Director of the Music Hall of Fame.

"The recording project is called SWAP: songs with a purpose," Blair said. The purpose, he says, is to introduce these kids to the process of recording music.

Cherokee Elementary School students are all on the free or reduced price lunch program.

"Oklahoma Soul" is one of three original songs the students will record. They are also recording four patriotic selections.

Annex Studios is recording the session, and although the director told them it was awesome, he wanted to hear it again.

During a break the Hall of Fame got to show off something new, an interactive children's exhibit, complete with opportunities to hear different styles of music, and different musical sounds.

The exhibit is targeted to second- and third-graders, but these older elementary aged kids seem to do just fine.

The real purpose of Monday's session was to get the songs recorded, so pretty soon they were back at it. Who knows? One of these may have a picture hanging here right along side Roy Clark or one of the other Hall of Famers.

The recording project was funded by a grant from the Ruby Family Trust and will result in a CD to be released at a live performance by the students this summer.

Proceeds will be used to continue the Songs with a Purpose project for other students.