From M.I.P. to M.E.P.

Oct. 2, 2007

A New Music Program To Help Struggling Kids

If you ask probation officers Jeff Burdick and Eric Salani of the 13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau Counties) Probate Division the reason why they and their colleagues have full caseloads of juvenile offenders, they will point to several factors.
“We deal with kids who have committed a wide range of offenses, from drugs, alcohol, and larcenies to even some violent crimes,” said Jeff Burdick. “The root cause of this is varied, but often it has to do with these kids running with the wrong crowd and being bored.”
So Burdick and Salani, both musicians, decided to take a creative approach, and have created the Music Exploration Program (M.E.P.) They hope to use music as a vehicle to engage juvenile offenders in a positive way that will both take away the boredom and place them in an environment surrounded by the right crowd.
“Most kids have a connection to music, they either love listening to it or they play an instrument,” said Burdick. “So we hope to give them a chance to see Eric and myself in a setting outside the typical probation meetings we have with them. We have created this program in hopes that they will put their energies into a positive pursuit.”
The concept was put in motion when Barb Donaldson of the 13th Circuit Court read the March 8, 2007 Northern Express article on Don Swan’s new studio concept, North Star Productions.
“The court called and explained this idea they had about connecting kids and music,” said Don Swan. “I loved the idea, and along with Benjamin Ingwersen of Broke Neck Productions, am partnering on this project.”
Swan and Burdick see a lot of possibility with M.E.P., and are working to make sure that the program is accessible
to all regardless of their abilities and musical interests.
“Since both Eric and I are musicians (Salani plays the drums and Burdick is a guitar player), we will give basic instruction. We will also make sure that there are instruments accessible to everyone,” said Burdick. “In some cases these kids are already playing music and have their own instruments, but regardless of ability or previous experience, this program will be modeled to work with kids of all musical abilities.”
Swan agrees. “We will have all musical genres covered as we will bring in guest musicians as well to work with these kids,” said Swan. “We are also going to cover all the bases from forming a band, to marketing a band, to recording and songwriting, essentially the nuts and bolts of the music business.”
The program will be available to kids (12-17) currently on probation. M.E.P. will not replace the traditional probation format that requires juvenile offenders to meet with their probation officers; instead it will be in addition to the typical weekly 30-minute meeting (meeting times and number of meetings a month vary by offender).
“The meetings are important as we review one on one how things are going, whether it be at home or at school. We also have to make sure they are meeting the requirements of their probation, such as community service,” said Burdick. “The M.E.P. is purely voluntary. We made up fliers and have been handing them out to those on probation, and the response has been positive.”
The M.E.P kicks off this week and will take place every Tuesday from 3:30 to 5 pm at North Star Productions on 14th Street in Traverse City. Program organizers will start out with the basics but hope to see some big things come from the program.
“We are going to start with Eric giving a brief run down on how to play the drums, and I am going to do the same with the guitar,” said Burdick. “We are also going to have several guests come in and work with the kids. Certainly the long-term goal is that these kids will sink their teeth into something positive and be surrounded by positive peer support. Hopefully some will form bands together and we even hope to make a CD.”
Burdick and Salani said that after the probation period ends, the kids are no longer eligible for M.E.P. “We hope that the program sets things in motion so when their probation ends, they have forged positive relationships and are continuing their musical pursuits out side of this,” said Burdick. “We want to challenge them, energize them to make and pursue positive choices.”
Burdick is a St. Francis High School graduate who went on to obtain a criminal justice degree from Michigan State University. He and Salani both joined the probation department six months ago and formed an immediate bond through their music and see that bond working for kids on probation as well. They are also grateful to the many musicians in the area willing to give to the program. “Mike Sullivan of Song of the Lakes has been at the heart of this program from day one,” said Burdick. “We welcome others as well.”
Burdick and Salani beta-tested the program during September, with a few kids and some area musicians, and worked out all the kinks and they are now ready to launch. For additional information contact them directly at (231) 922-4650.