Family concert slated

Incorporating learning with fun will be the focus of national touring entertainer Gary Dulabaum as he visits Portales elementary schools on Thursday and Friday

According to Debra Hargrove, Brown Early Childhood Center music teacher, the public school system in Portales received a grant three years ago that has allowed music programs to be implemented. This in turn has provided the opportunity to bring in outside sources for teaching, she said.

“Basically, because of this grant, we are able to implement more music in our program,” Hargrove said.

During the day on Thursday, former pre-school and kindergarten teacher, Dulabaum will be entertaining and working with students, writing songs, in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms. In the evening, a concert will be performed by Dulabaum at Eastern New Mexico University in the university theater. Selected students will perform their songs on stage with Dulabaum, Hargrove said.

“I think any exposure they (students) can have to different types of entertainment and music is educational and fun,” Hargrove said. “It’s always special when they have someone different come in from outside the school.”

Raised in a musical family, Dulabaum learned to read and write by singing. This, combined with a dislike of traditional school methods, led Dulabaum to pursue a teaching degree, in order to have the chance to instill in children that learning could be fun, he said.

“I am a combination of entertainment and education,” Dulabaum said.

Geared for audience participation, the high energy concert will afford students the opportunity to enhance their literacy education through music and rhythm, Dulabaum said.

“I help all children connect with their creativity,” Dulabaum said.

Fast Facts

What: Gary Dulabaum Family Concert

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Eastern New Mexico University Theatre Center.

Admission: Free and open to the public.