The in-school music program Kalamazoo Kids In Tune welcomed its first students four years ago. Now, the first graders who entered the program in 2011 are fifth graders bound for middle school. A gala concert, featuring all 80-plus children in the program, will take place in WMU's Dalton Center Recital Hall on Wednesday at 5:30 pm.
Eric Barth, director of curriculum for KKIT, and orchestra director Ben Gudbrandson talked to Cara Lieurance about the growth of the program, which has quadrupled in size. They discuss the day-to-day experience of the children, and some of the changes they've seen as the kids gain more skills and confidence.