Levaughn Fussell.
Music evolves organically.
This is especially true at The Plummer Home for Boys in Salem.
A piano was first donated by a generous business and some of the adolescent boys, who had no formal music education, began to tap its keys. Staff members then noticed the boys’ interest and began an improvised music curriculum. Local businesses contributed various instruments and the attic became a music studio. The program continued to grow in both scale and success.
And now, two years later, the boys at The Plummer Home have just produced their first CD. The album features songs written, composed and recorded by the boys, as well as a few holiday classics.
The Plummer Home for Boys is a non-profit group home for teenage boys between 12 and 18. Many of the boys have a history of abuse and neglect, while some struggle with managing their behaviors. The Plummer Home provides the boys with the support and skills necessary to help them establish a solid foundation for life.
James Lister, Executive Director of The Plummer Home, is thrilled with the success of the music program and calls the CD downright “amazing.” But he also points out that it’s only one of the many great programs offered at the home. “We always try and go beyond the basics. We’ve got woodworking, art, sports, and more,” he says. “Every kid has their own interest and our goal is to address them all.”
Besides the motivated youth and hard-working staff, the Plummer Home also has some help from a few professional musicians.
Katz and Lipton. Photo by Kristin D'Agostino
Aaron Katz, from Salem’s own local band The Dejas, has been volunteering at The Plummer Home since the summer. He admits that the beginning was tough; breaking through the boys’ defense mechanisms took time and effort. But the process has been more rewarding than he ever anticipated.
“Some of my greatest moments have been sitting at a table with up to six boys at a time writing intensely about their lives,” Katz says. “Seeing them develop confidence and personal power gives my life greater meaning.”
Katz and band-mate Callie Lipton are local staples on the music scene. They recently released a new album titled “Speeding Softly” and boast an impressive resume of upcoming shows, including stops at The House of Blues and The Paradise.
Katz, who has a long history as a full time musician, producer, road warrior, and teacher, highlights the fun of music to the boys, but also constantly challenges them to grow as artists.
“I want them to know that music is a discipline that creates a never ending life path of growth,” says Katz. “I want them to have a relationship with music that is always there for them and that will always gives back to them what is given to it.
