AICMF Scores a Hit at Boys & Girls Clubs

Press Release
Submitted by Alan Donaldson

When Ms. Emma Bledsoe of the Amelia Island Music Festival called to suggest a concert for the youngsters at Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County, the Clubs staff knew something special was on the way! So, on April 16 over 100 lucky members of the Boys and Girls Clubs were delighted when they gathered for the concert at the Roberts Learning and Achievement Center in Fernandina Beach.

The concert highlighted The Grascals, a cutting-edge, modern bluegrass band, known for presenting a unique sound. They have appeared on national media, such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and CBS The Talk, and the band has performed over 150 times at the Grand Ole Opry.

“The members absolutely loved it,” said David Bryan, Unit Director of the Roberts Center. “We try to introduce the members to as many educational and cultural experiences as possible, so we were thrilled when The Chamber Music Festival reached out to us to offer this concert.”

The youngsters didn’t just listen to the band but also participated in an interactive musical experience. “Everybody had a chance to play one of the instruments,” said Danielle Albert, a Club member “And the band played each instrument separately, so we could hear what each one sounded like. It was a lot of fun; I feel like I learned a lot!”

The Roberts Center is looking forward to inviting and providing similar experiences and performances this summer during Boys and Girls Clubs Summer Academy from Monday, June 4 to Monday, August 6. Call Sherryl Smith at (904) 261-1075 to join the Miller Freedom Center on Old Nassauville Road. To enroll at Roberts Learning and Achievement Center on Lime Street in Fernandina Beach, call David Bryan at (904) 491-9102.

(Photo Caption: Daylee Abilar, a member of the Roberts Center, steps up to learn how to play the violin from one of The Grascals.)