Pam Blanchard
and Sunny-Side Up

BY REBECCA MORGAN

Start with a soulful raspy voice, pour in a heaping scoop of Dr. Maria Montessori, knead gently with humanitarianism, add bangles, beads and braids. Shake consistently, jiggle, wiggle, twirl and swirl. Dance around sprinkling joy and laughter. There, that should do *it; you've pretty much got the recipe for Pam Blanchard, innovative songbird of children's music.

Pam affects the Athens music scene through the solo sessions she directs in schools and childcare centers and by the Sunny-Side-Up Band, which she and five other multi- instrumentalists formed in 1995. Another way Pam reaches children is through Twinkle Music Studio, which pro, vides group lessons for children two to six years old.

For her freelance traveling music sessions, Pam sets out daily, guitar in hand, to spread her message of humanity, simplicity and age-old wisdom through song for children at Parkview Learning Center, Waseca Learning Environment, Live Oak Morning School, Little Ones Academy, Trinity Lutheran and the University of Georgia's McPhaul Center.

Pam's childhood musical history, devotion to music therapy, commitment to Montessori education, six-year-old daughter Sarah and interaction with children strengthen her belief in the essential role music plays in development. Additionally, Pam believes that music is the universal language open to all.

A large part of Pam's mission is to promote awareness. "Young children need a rich musical environment in which to grow. All children have musical potential and bring their own unique interests and abilities to the music learning environment. Very young children are capable of developing critical thinking skills through musical ideals, Pam says.

"A music curriculum for young children should include many opportunities to explore sound through singing, moving, listening and playing instruments, as well as through introductory experiences with verbalization and visualization of musical ideals. The music literature included in music sessions should be of high quality and lasting value, including traditional children's songs, folk songs, classical music and songs from a variety of cultures, styles and time periods."

The connection between music and mental development is a topic among researchers, early childhood educators, psychologists and parents. Many child development theorists say that children need encouragement in language skills through talking, reading and singing.

In 1998 Pam was awarded a grant from the Puffin Foundation in New York, which supports creative and socially relevant programs. The Sunny Side-Up Band used the funds to perform an interactive concert for students at Chase Street Elementary School. The students learned about instruments such as the jaw harp, banjo (Pam's first instrument), mandolin and flute, among others.

Pam and the Sunny-Side-Up Band also participate at various community festivals: the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Human Rights Festival, Barrow School Spring Fling, Marigold Festival and Athens Montessori Fall Fest. The band also performs at Camp Sunshine for children fighting and surviving cancer, Georgia Square Mall at Christmas and Fourth of July and corporate parties. The band gave a series of concerts to support a musical play, An Angel Headed Your Way, at the Morton Theatre in October.

As one young critic from Malcolm Bridge Elementary School wrote: "I've been seeing plays since I was four; now I'm eight and I have to say that was the best play I've been to in those four years." Sunny-Side-Up Band members are dedicated to bringing good music to children.

Melinda Kershner, who plays saxophone, flute and clarinet and does vocals, says, "Children are the future. Teach them consciously-that is what the Sunny-Side-Up Band does." With her own 30-year musical background, five siblings, two parents, one husband and one child involved in music, Melinda is heavily anchored in music.

She also teaches the bell choir at First United Methodist Church. Melinda says, "There are lots of parents out there doing the 'good parent deeds' and then others who are not. The kids that aren't being parented need someone to make a difference. You can see the kids in the audience who need that hug afterwards and that is what is great. I get to hug those kids who need it, and then I get to feet that I am part of positive social change. That is what it is all about to me."

Bass guitarist Danny Conkle says that "being a children's musician means no one yells out 'Free Bird' & tan old Lynyrd Skynyrd song frequently requested) or spills beer all over you. It is neat to play a live children's concert and see all their smiling faces."

Danny, whose father is a rural pastor, had his first try at music in the church. One day there was no one to play bass, so he stepped up. Danny's youthful experience has continued into adulthood as he currently plays bass in the choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church of Athens.

Joe Ellison, the timekeeper on drums, began playing when he was nine years old. Joe attended a Catholic school and, when it came time to pick out an instrument, he was the only child interested in drumming and naturally picked them. The next year all of his classmates chose drums.

Prior to his move to Athens, Joe played in a wedding band for four years in Washington, D.C. In Athens he has played with the Incantations and Carbutt.

Joe met Pam at the Waseca Learning Environment where he assisted in teaching while his sons Zack and Nick attended school. "I love being a children's musician. It is so important for kids to move around, dance and sing. I get to see all of their smiles, and I know I am making a positive contribution."

Michael Wegner plays acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and piano. He started piano lessons at the age of five.

"I attribute my musical fluency to learning at such a young age. I don't think of music so much as a talent but more as a language, a mode of communication. The way I look at it, my talent is really just that I am fluent in the language of music," Michael says.

"After all, I was learning music around the same time I was learning English, so they both seemed to have progressed at a similar rate."

He adds, "I would have to say that in the 15 years that I have been playing in bands, the Sunny-Side-Up Band has the best audience you could ask for."

Kemp Jones, on vocals and keyboards, says, "I love to see kids warm up to our shows." Of his band mates Kemp says, "There is something to be said for and gained by what our band brings to the table. We all have full-time jobs most of us have children, we've all played lots of music and through experience we are able to appreciate what it means to give children some real music and to play to appreciative audiences."

With two cassettes, Music Makes Me Happy and Walk Tall and Sing a Sweet Song, being sold at area retailers, like the Athens-Clarke County Library Store and Daily Groceries, Pam and the band are optimistic about their future. However, they all say there is room for the band to take more gigs at festivals and to branch out regionally. The band is also applying for corporate grants and, of course, contributions are welcome.

Individuals and corporations can contact the band at (706) 208-9162.

Pam says: "Children take songs to their hearts, for the young belong to that spiritual fellowship that lives close to the heart of things. On the instant of hearing, children will know that songs give vitality, beauty and power to their own emotions, imaginations and experiences."

Rebecca Morgan is a freelance writer living Athens with her sons Sage and Miles.