By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Applications are now being taken for the third session of the Connor Brite’s Wildflower program, which offers free music instruction to Adams County students.
Officials have announced that a new four-month session of introductory lessons in guitar, drums and keyboard will begin in February.
The program is open to all county students in fourth grade through high school.
There is no charge for the program, which provides not only the instruction but the instruments. And students may take the instruments home to practice.
To apply, visit the program website: cjbwildflowers.com
“ Your only investment is your time,” program officials said. “If this session doesn’t work with your schedule, go ahead and submit an application anyway … we keep them on file and will reach out to you when other sessions begin.”
The second session recently concluded, with 12 students from Bellmont, Adams Central, Wyneken and St. Joseph schools.
The volunteer instructors were Sydney Sanderson, Curt Rash and Terry Morningstar (in photo).
“The instructors honestly enjoy what they are doing and we continue to honor Connor’s memory and spread his love of music like wildflowers,” the officials said.
The instructional program is held in a room rented by the Wildflowers organization in the MERIT Center, former Northwest School.
Eleven students took part in the initial session last May.
Music instruction was determined as a perfect way to honor the memory of Connnor Brite, since he was a music enthusiast. He particularly enjoyed the music of the late Tom Petty, especially his Wildflowers album.
The free instruction program first began last May, held in honor of Connor, one of three young Decatur men killed by an impaired driver in a traffic cash in June of 2020. The tragedy took the lives of Connor, the son of Jeff and Steph Brite, along with pals Jordan Fuelling and Trevor Ortiz.
An annual program of music is held annually on the Madison St. Plaza to raise funds for the instruction program. This year’s event is scheduled for June 8.
Officials said any and all donations are accepted by the organization which recently became a registered non-profit 501c.
Donations can be mailed to Connor Brite’s Wildflowers at 4346 N 100 E Decatur.
