Blind pianist wows L.A. school kids

Henry Butler, a blind blues instrumentalist, performed for students from The Immaculate Conception School during their visit to the Grammy Museum on Monday.

The Staples Center Foundation and AEG provided the mini-concert and tour for the students because the Downtown L.A. school does not have funding for their music program.

The children learned about the history of American Music including the art and development of blues music, which students were able to get a taste of during Butler’s performance.

“Now, the words here may not be the same as somebody might have sung in 1975, but the concept is still the same,” Butler said as he finished talking about the history of country blues and began to sing an example of a country blues song.

He continued his program with a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Butler also talked about his experience being a photographer with his visual impairment, which is featured in a documentary called “Dark Light.”

Heather Murphy-Garcia, a teacher at The Immaculate Conception School, said she was using the visit to educate her students on the importance of music, and she gave her class the assignment to write a persuasive essay on whether schools should receive federal funding for a music program after their visit to the Grammy Museum.

Murphy-Garcia said because the school she teaches at is a private, catholic school, the school does not receive any federal funding. The school is supported by donations and grants, and this visit to the Grammy Museum is one of the only educational exposures they will get to music.

Children got hands-on experience with the drums and recorded some of their own music while at the museum. They also were able to learn about sound waves and frequencies through an interactive, touch-screen display.