Professional musicians are sharing realistic advice with Langley students about how to make it in the music industry, and the concept has struck a chord with a segment of the local business community.

Willowbrook Shopping Centre and its 150 merchants are hosting a unique fundraising event early next week that could raise upwards of $40,000 for the new Music Rules in Schools (MRIS) initiative.

This spring, the B.C. Country Music Association piloted the MRIS concept with Grades 3 to 5 students at Alice Brown Elementary, in an effort to give the kids more realistic expectations of what's involved in being a musician.

The four-part program saw country musicians and industry professionals, including Langley's own singer and songwriter Emily Taylor Adams and BCCMA's executive director Nicole Muncey - as well as recording artists Angela Harris, Jaydee Bixby, John and Kathleen Higgins, Ken McCoy, and A.J. Woodworth - visit the school.

They walked students through writing, recording, producing, performing, and releasing a song to radio.

The pilot program culminated with the release of the students' performing School's Out Forever, live in front of the entire school before it was broadcast on the JRfm and Country 107.1.

Susan Cairns, executive director of the Langley School District Foundation, was present for that performance. And she was so amazed and excited by the MRIS program that she's been working ever since to make it a permanent fixture in local schools.

When the opportunity came to partner with Willowbrook on a fundraiser that could breathe life into the dream, Cairns said, it wasn't a hard sell.

In a time when education dollars are stretched thin and there's little to no funding provided outside the basic core curriculum, initiatives like this are important, Cairns said.

"This is an amazing program for the kids," she said Sunday at the BCCMA awards show, where she was sold fundraiser tickets.

"What a magnificent program and a good thing to have in the schools," Cairns told the Langley Advance.

"It's a different way of teaching in schools.- It gets kids interested in music from concept to completion," she added.

While initial ticket sales for the fundraiser were slow, she expected them to pick up in the final days before Denim Do.

Cairns is optimistic that the shopping event on Tuesday will raise upwards of $40,000, earmarked for the MRIS initiative. And depending on success of the Denim Do, she hopes the program can be rolled out in five new Langley schools in January.

The local business community is rallying behind the project, by hosting Denim Do, which offers participants a chance at massive discounts, live entertainment, and prizes in a three-hour exclusive holiday shopping event.

And to help ensure the fundraiser's and ultimately the program's success, a Canadian Idol runner up has agreed to be part of the Nov. 29 Denim Do event.

Jaydee Bixby, who will sing at Willowbrook Tuesday, knows first-hand the impact this initiative has on local kids. He was part of the pilot program at Alice Brown, and said he's anxious to help keep it going.

Likewise, Alice Brown music teacher Maureen Wilson sings the praises of the MRIS program, hoping it can make the rounds through the school district.

"The best thing was the fact that the kids met local country music stars," said Wilson, noting students were captivated by the entire process of making music from scratch and the kids were tickled to have their song played on the radio.

DENIM DO HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT

Willowbrook Shopping Centre Tuesday, Nov. 29, 7-10 p.m.

. A fundraiser for expansion of the new Music Rules in Schools program through the Langley School District Foundation.

. Exclusive shopping opportunities, a chance to win a trip for two to Nashville, countless other prizes, and entertainment by Canadian Idol runner up Jaydee Bixby. . Tickets are $10 and available through the foundation at 604-532-1464, or the Willowbrook customer services.

More info: shopwillowbrook.com

rhooper@langleyadvance.com