Sixth- graders Joe Huang (center), 11, and Micah Bowe, 12, beat the drums with classmates during a general music showcase at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Sixth-grader Maddie Malveg, 12, performs a folk dance to music from classmates during a general music showcase at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Sixth-grader Logan Weaver, 12, keeps tempo on the drums with classmates during a general music showcase Dec. 8 at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Sixth-graders Izzy Cox (center), 11, and Jasmine Wu (left), 12, dance to music with Maddie Malveg (bottom right) and Annika Simon, 11, during a general music showcase Dec. 8 at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. In the background playing music are sixth

Sixth-graders Riley Needham (left), 12, and Jack Bellamy, 11, play recorders during a general music showcaseDec. 8 at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Sixth-graders Julia Francis, 11, and Daniel Park, 12, play xylophones during a general music showcase Dec. 8 at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media

Sixth-graders (from top left) Logan Weaver, 12, Jack Freel, 11, Tommy Kempf, 12, and Tyler Clarke, 11, play percussion instruments while classmates dance Dec. 8 during a general music showcase at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Tim