Students at the North Fork Community Montessori School found a creative way to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King on Jan. 16.

School staff thought it would be a fun learning experience to have musicians collaborate with groups of students to write original songs about Dr. King.

According to Bill Powers, musicians Rob Miller, Jon Hickam, Dan Rubinoff and music teacher Paul Fraser joined with him in working with the kids.

The entire student body participated in writing songs, except for preschoolers. The preschoolers sang songs they had been rehearsing for the special morning of music.

There were four groups who each wrote one original song.

On Martin Luther King Day, the musicians arrived at 9 a.m. The kids came up with words that reminded them of Dr. King. Next they wrote simple rhymes. The musicians began playing several chords until a melody arose.

In just 1-1/2 hours, songs were written and rehearsed before sharing them with fellow students and school staff.

"The kids had a lot of enthusiasm about it," Powers said of the songwriting process.

If you would like to see a video of one of the songs being performed, go online to http://tinyurl.com/7xlvm3w.

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