By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Drums and various musical instruments filled Helena City Hall on Wednesday, June 8, as children of all ages were wowed by musician Mark Seymour’s presentation to kickoff the Helena Summer Reading Program.

Children had two opportunities to see Seymour’s show, who has been performing for kids for more than 20 years and has played the drums for 52 years.

Seymour used various instruments, songs and other fun props to captivate the audience and encourage students to be at their best, show responsibility and refrain from bullying.

Seymour performs at schools and churches across the state and praised the Helena summer reading crowd for their enthusiasm.

“This crowd was amazing because they were so attentive and so curious about everything,” said Seymour. “It makes it easy and a joy for me to perform for such a captivating audience. My whole deal is to motivate kids to be at their best and I try to do it through music. Music is a wonderful vehicle to motivate kids.”

Seymour used to sell books to libraries and got his start in performing at library’s after a librarian asked him if he would perform.

Now Seymour performs original songs such as “Don’t Be a Bully,” “Catch the Reading Bug,” “The Magic Drumsticks,” and more.

Upcoming first grader Bryson Dorsey was at the show and said his favorite part was participating and dancing and his goal is to read 10 books each week during the summer.

“My favorite part was when I got to go up there when he pretended to play the drums on my head,” said Dorsey. “My favorite books to read are Nascar books.”

Will Mooneyhan is an upcoming second grader who also enjoys reading Nascar books and enjoyed Seymour’s show.

“My favorite part is when he played all the instruments,” said Mooneyhan. “My favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr.”

Seymour writes all of his songs and one of the highlights of the show was when he sang a song listing all 213 towns in Alabama.

The Helena Summer Reading Program is scheduled to take place every Wednesday through July 13.

The remaining schedule for the summer reading program is as follows:

• June 15–McWane Center Program–10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• June 22–Alabamians in the Olympics, an interactive program–2 p.m.
• June 29–Visit with the fire department–2 p.m.
• July 6–Visit with the police department–2 p.m.
• July 13–Summer reading close out celebration–2 p.m.

For more information on Seymour and his program, visit Beatyourbest.com.