In the fall of 2013 at Murfreesboro's Bradley Academy, Macon Music Education offered a unique experience to touch the lives of children in the classroom with the "Music Through the Decades" pilot program. At the time, most children had never experienced the music originating from Tennessee or had an up-close and personal experience with professional old-time and bluegrass musicians.

"Our children's cultural and artistic lives have been enriched through the Macon Music series. Many of our students would never have experienced the rich cultural and musical history of Tennessee had they not been given this delightful and immediate opportunity through Macon Music in the schools," Bradley Academy Principal Kim Fowler said.

Macon Music Education is an extension of the Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival that attracts thousands and is held at Cannonsburgh Village during the second weekend in July. A portion of proceeds from the gate at the Uncle Dave Macon Days festival directly benefits Macon Music Education throughout the year. It is an extension of the organization's mission -Preserving Yesterday's Music for Today and Tomorrow.

"The Macon Music Education experience allowed the children to link all of those elements together into the history of this state - seeing more clearly their heritage. Macon Music was a 2015 nominee for the 2015 Governor's Arts Award. Opportunities experiencing live music would never happen without this program," Murfreesboro City Schools Director Linda Gilbert added.

With this in mind, the Macon Music Education's most recent event, Music Through the Decades program featured: The Days of Uncle Dave, 1920's to 1930's, the early days of the Grand Ole Opry and the radio technology of the day at a program on Friday, March 13 at Woodbury Grammar School in Cannon County. Macon Music Education will return to Cannon County on April 14 at the Arts Day at Woodbury Grammar School.

Future plans for the program include a summer day-camp prior to the 2015 festival in July and the group aims to partner with Middle Tennessee State University to coordinate, facilitate and implement the "Music Through the Decades" curriculum that teaches regional culture and music heritage in more Middle Tennessee schools.

Want to be a part of the music?

For more information on Macon Music Education, visit uncledavemacondays.com/macon-music. Regarding additional information, contact Gloria Christy at 615-893-2369 or gsc714@hotmail.com.