A History of Modern Band and Little Kids Rock from 2002–2014

The presence of popular music education in schools has expanded significantly in the past two decades within the United States in part due to the expansion of modern band programming. Initially developed and propagated by the non-profit organization Little Kids Rock (LKR), modern band is a term used to describe school-based ensembles that use popular music instruments (e.g.- guitar, electric bass, drums, keyboards, ukulele) and incorporate technology to play popular music styles and promote student songwriting. While the presence of modern band programs in schools is a relatively new phenomenon, research on modern band programs, teachers, and students has recently begun to emerge. This paper explores the history of Little Kids Rock and the establishment of modern band in United States public schools. Following the description of the history of LKR, the curriculum and pedagogy of LKR are examined before looking at the impact LKR has had in terms of the number of teachers trained, student served, and instruments donated. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of implications for music education.