FAIRPORT, N.Y. — The live music scene at the Lilac Festival is an eclectic mix of national artists, Rochester area bands and a chance for local students to take center stage. A special ensemble of students from Creekside School will be performing the soothing sounds of steel drums.

Steel drums is a funky, simple acoustic that is truly a festive sound. Students at Creekside School at the Foreman Center in Fairport have discovered a sweet spot for the steel drums with help from pop music that’s fun to play.

Yamir Strong is one of only seven students in the Creekside steel drum band. They all auditioned for the super popular program. He says he’s a better student because of it.

“Music is kind of like my therapy,” Strong said. “I go through a lot and music really calms me down and motivates me. It makes my emotions or makes me speak my emotions better too. Music is everything to me.”

“I’ve learned a lot,” Creekside student Javon Schaible said. “I’ve learned so much. At my other school, I never did anything like this, so it means so much to me. I love doing it and I am going to keep doing it. I’m going to accomplish this goal. “

That’s why Creekside music therapist Sarah Wendl has the steel drum program. For a lot of her students it offers a form of expression they haven't found anywhere else.

“Self-esteem has grown leaps and bounds,” Wendl said. “There are a lot of students who have anxiety and are scared of performing and maybe they haven’t always heard all the things they can do and abilities that they have and this showcases that ability. It’s amazing to watch them and they are so proud when they perform.”

Wendl would love more students to be able to play the steel drums. The program currently has enough gear for seven students. She's hoping the school is able to purchase more steel drums that cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000.

The Creekside steel drum band will perform at the Lilac Festival Tuesday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m.