Music Explored at Latest YDU Career Discovery Event

The generous people of “Keep Music Alive” shared their passion with the children and families of Youth Development United earlier today, inspiring everyone to bring more music-making into their lives as a hobby and maybe even a career.

“You use the left side of your brain for logical thinking and the right side of your brain for creativity - and when you are playing music, you use both!” explained Vincent James, a Widener University alum and former Boeing software engineer. He, along with his wife, Joann Pierdomenico, co-founded Keep Music Alive in August 2014 to help more kids (and adults) reap the educational, therapeutic and social benefits of playing music.

James described the type of work done in a variety of music-related careers. He also pointed out that many successful, famous people throughout history have also been musicians even though we may know them as engineers, inventors, doctors, scientists, astronauts, etc.

Participants in the YDU event didn’t hesitate to try out the many unique and melodic percussion and stringed instruments that Keep Music Alive brought as a “Musical Instrument Petting Zoo.” Before the event ended, each participant chose a favorite instrument and marched through Widener’s University Center keeping the leader’s rhythm as a joyful parade. Each child was invited to take home two “shaker eggs” to continue their exploration of music and all the benefits that come along with it.

Sun East Federal Credit Union generously covered the cost for the group to enjoy a healthy, balanced dinner in the Widener University dining hall after the program.