Free program to unite children with music

The Graeme Preston Foundation for Life will be providing an instructor and new instruments for the Dennis McGackin Jr. Music Club at the YMCA Community Center, Center Street, Freehold Borough.

The free program, open to anyone in the community, will be held every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. for 12 weeks from Feb. 3 to April 21. Instruction will be provided to the first 30 children between the ages of 8 and 17 who register for the club.

Lessons will be given on guitar during the first hour, keyboard for the second hour and drums for the third hour.

The YMCA will host the music club’s kickoff celebration party from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 25. The party will include music and refreshments.

The objective of the Dennis McGackin Jr. Music Club is to provide children with the opportunity to experience music by taking lessons and practicing on a weekly basis, thus instilling a sense of accomplishment with short- and long-term benefits, according to a press release.

Lessons will be provided by Steve Kelly of Music University, Freehold Township. The children will be playing individually and as a group.

The Graeme Preston Foundation for Life is funding the program by providing an instructor and new instruments.

The program was created by Kelley Mc- Gackin, Dennis McGackin, Paul Sallee and Scott Preston.