SAN DIEGO — A San Diego man is offering free music lessons to thousands of children. In this Zevely Zone, I visited Spreckels Elementary for Music 123. Greg Zinser finds his passion by sharing the gift of music.
Known as Mr. Greg, he fell in love with music as a child. "Music is such a life-enhancing thing," said Mr. Greg.
When he retired from his real job a few years ago, he started marching toward what he says matters most. It's a free music program he calls Music 123 because it focuses on first, second and third graders. "How is everybody doing today?" said Mr. Greg to students.
The program started in 2018, with the simple goal of taking music to schools. "I wanted to try to give that gift to kids that might not otherwise have it," said Mr. Greg. During COVID, the pandemic may have locked down the planet but not Mr. Greg. When he couldn't visit the children in person, he piped the music in using online videos. "If there's a way, to keep delivering the programs I will find it," said Mr. Greg.
Also, during the pandemic, when people were feeling down there was Greg and his friends lifting spirits with a series of community jams. "Ha, ha, ha the driveway another based COVID thing," said Mr. Greg. "I think I was the only live music venue in San Diego, ha, ha."
"In the town where I was born, lived a man who sailed the sea," sang Mr. Greg. This session at Spreckels Elementary started with a sing along. "We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine," sang the class.
This lesson is called Percussion Day. "1,2,3,4," said Mr. Greg. Instead of hitting the books, Mr. Greg was hitting every musical object he could find and encouraging students to make a beat by tapping themselves. "That's what makes the sound of a tambourine," said Mr. Greg.
Students learned about the entire family of percussion instruments. The lesson is interactive and immediate because within minutes the class became a band. Mr. Greg want to take this program nationwide. He has and already touched a lot of young lives in San Diego. "Over three thousand, ha, ha, I keep track," said Mr. Greg. "It's a purpose."
This music program was developed for grades 1 through 3 based on extensive research and consultation with experts in the field and continues to be improved based on classroom experience.
It is a six-week interactive program with 45–60-minute classes once a week. Sessions are focused on introducing many different types and aspects of music in a way that is educational, fun and age appropriate.
With Mr. Greg, music is as easy as 1,2,3. Mr. Greg wants to expand the program with more musicians. If you'd like to learn more about Music 123 or make a donation, click here.