Clarkdale Elementary students took full advantage of the beautiful weather Monday as they celebrated their first ever 'brown bag' lunch and concert.

The Clarkdale jazz band and a local group, 45 South, performed for the students and their parents as they enjoyed a sack lunch.

"Well, music is so important in the way children learn. This is giving them an exposure to music. It's also bringing our parents in to come and enjoy the day and enjoy some music," said Keri Coleman, Whole Schools Initiative project director at Clarkdale.
The Whole Schools Initiative is a program designed to incorporate the arts into the classroom.

One of the goals of the performance was to encourage the children to participate in musical activities.