REMUS — A noisy, joyous chorus of harmonicas could be heard bellowing from underneath a tent on Kids Hill during the annual Wheatland Music Festival on Saturday afternoon.
Heathen Peshe of Oxford shows his son, Deaglan, 4, how to blow into a harmonica during a children’s music workshop Saturday at the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon
Ted Bergin initially attracted children’s attention as they walked by the tent, thanks to his colorful tie-dye T-shirt and shorts, tall red socks, red-painted nose and the whimsical tutu around his hat.
Once under the tent, children — and some parents — received a harmonica lesson from Bergin and Kevin Murphy, who sported clothes in more subdued colors, but kid-friendly nonetheless — a Gremlins T-shirt, an outer shirt covered with llamas and a well-worn cowboy hat.
“We thought it would be pretty funny if someone who was good was teamed up with someone who has no idea what he’s doing, which is me, hence my costume,” Bergin told the Daily News with a laugh.
Attendees received a free harmonica in the key of C, complete with a carrying case and a polishing cloth, and learned how to play the basic scale by blowing air into and then out of each tiny hole on the instrument.
After that basic lesson, children then attempted to play “You Are My Sunshine” and several other simple classics as Larry Gephart of Rockford and Mike Lane of Rochester Hills kept the music moving along by playing the 12-bar blues on two acoustic guitars.
Bergin of Lowell, who has been attending the Wheatland Music Festival since 1983, started the harmonica workshop with Murphy about a decade ago.
Kevin Murphy of Grand Rapids teaches children how to play harmonica during a children’s music workshop. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon
“They see most popular music is in C and G, which is what the harmonica is for,” Bergin said of the children. “They can just get better and better and play and have fun, that’s what it’s all about, having fun.”
Bergin is active with the Wheatland Music Organization year-round, serving on the music committee, which shapes the sound of the music attendees hear at events throughout the year.
“This is my favorite festival of all,” Bergin said. “It’s just a joy every year.”
Murphy of Grand Rapids has played harmonica professionally over the years in blues, bluegrass and folk bands. When he’s not playing music — professionally or for fun — he works as a painting contractor.
“Hopefully they will be able to learn how to just walk up to a crowd of strangers and say ‘hey, key of G,’ and just start playing,” Murphy said of his goal of teaching harmonica to children. “Music is universal and they can learn to just jump in and play with anybody.”
The weekend-long Wheatland Music Festival began Friday and concluded Sunday. Visit www.wheatlandmusic.org for more information about the Wheatland Music Organization and other upcoming events.
Ted Bergin of Lowell, at right, teaches children about reading harmonica music during a children’s music workshop Saturday at the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon
