The nonprofit Michigan program that’s performed for 80,000-plus students over the years is back in “a discovery phase,” seeking schools eager to get their kids excited about live music.
Energizing Youth With Music: On Stage 4 Kids musicians during a performance. (Courtesy Photo)
When Jim Sundberg founded On Stage 4 Kids with Joshua Davis 10 years ago, his goal was simple: to give school-age kids an opportunity to experience and appreciate live music.
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“What we were realizing is that there were a lot of kids out there of school age who had never seen a band play live,” Sundberg explained.
“So the idea was that we wanted to get live music out there to encourage an understanding of it. We’re not trying to make every student a musician, but giving them some sort of appreciation for live music.”
During the program’s active years, before it was brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, On Stage 4 Kids presented concerts to more than 80,000 students, spanning all regions of Michigan, parts of Canada, and even Oregon.
On Stage 4 Kids plans to relaunch in 2025 as the organization seeks funding and grants that will allow them to operate at the same capacity as before while still being able to provide fair pay to every musician involved. Schools are asked to pay a small fee for these presentations, but On Stage 4 Kids largely relies on their funding partners to keep things running.
Nothing Quite Like It: Kids excited about live music. (Courtesy Photo)
“Right now and into early 2025 it’s kind of a discovery phase of trying to find out how the schools are going to accept this again,” Sundberg said of the organization’s plans for the new year.
Based on testimonials from numerous schools that have hosted On Stage 4 Kids presentations, the performances have been extremely well-received by staff members and students alike.
“I want to take the inspiration they gave me and make my own songs to sing,” a student at Mancelona Middle School said while providing feedback for the presentation.
“I would love to see it expanded and get to more schools, present to more kids, feed more musicians. . . just more of all of it,” veteran Michigan keyboardist Mike Lynch said of his hopes for the program’s future.
What began with a trio of musicians — Joshua Davis, Mike Lynch and Mike Shimmin -– became an entire collective of Michigan-based musicians who have contributed to the growth and operation of On Stage 4 Kids. These musicians have included Seth Bernard, Max Lockwood, Jordan Hamilton, The Sweet Water Warblers, Peter Madcat Ruth, Dan Rickabus and many more.
Musicians would often tie history lessons into their performances by introducing students to old songs by artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Robert Johson who influenced the popular music we know today. They also reinforced the idea that school subjects like reading, writing, and math all play a part in being a musician.
“I have a lot of experience in education. . . but some of our friends don’t and it’s been great watching them learn the magic of it,” said Lynch.
TAPPING INTO AN ‘INFECTIOUS YOUTHFUL SPIRIT AND ENERGY’
Sometimes, the performances related to what the students were currently studying. Michigan singer-songwriter and activist Seth Bernard has given presentations that educated kids about water conservation by incorporating information from his work with the Clean Water Campaign and the nonprofit Title Track.
Musicians such as Bernard who have been longtime supporters of On Stage 4 Kids share Sundberg’s joy and passion for teaching kids about music.
“Some of the most rowdy concerts I’ve played in the last couple decades have been at 8:30 a.m. in kindergarten, first- and second-grade classes,” Bernard recalled. “They’re all up in your face, and they’re so loud and so excited. It’s amazing.”
Michigan folk-rock artist Max Lockwood noted that being a part of On Stage 4 Kids has not only been beneficial for the students they perform for, but also for the musicians themselves.
Ecstatic Students: The musicians are inspired, too. (Courtesy Photo)
“Just being around their infectious youthful spirit and energy and the natural creativity that every child has, that’s always inspiring for us as artists,” Lockwood shared.
Lynch shared a similar sentiment: “Playing music in front of the kids really helps you to get back in touch with why you do it yourself.”
Another goal, Sundberg said: Provide work for musicians during the slow winter season when shows and festivals are not as plentiful.
“It helps us to have work in these cold weather months, and it’s meaningful work,” said Bernard.
Beyond the school performances, On Stage 4 Kids has also organized performances in nursing homes as well as community fundraisers for local charities or families in need located near the schools they play at.
The music industry has faced several challenges in recent years including rising ticket costs, lack of funding for arts programs, and the viewpoint that live music is non-essential.
“Arts and music in schools have had a hard time in the last couple decades getting funding and support, and so any chance to sort of show young people that there’s creative artists out there in the world leading that sort of life, I think, is a positive perspective-widening experience for kids,” Lockwood concluded.
The On Stage 4 Kids crew aims to help remedy these challenges, leaders say, by starting with their own community here in Michigan and sharing the joy of music with kids of all ages in hopes that they, too, develop a passion for it and recognize its importance.
To learn more about On Stage 4 Kids or to schedule a performance, visit onstage4kids.com.
A Who’s Who Roster of Participating Musicians: The Sweet Water Warblers (Courtesy Photo)
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