Steckel Elementary School students were treated to a rousing, interactive concert April 4.

The concert performed by musician Jonathan Sprout, entitled American Heroes, presented the student body with a brief history of noteworthy American citizens who made a positive difference in the country.

This month's concert at Steckel was the 25th visit for Sprout, who considers the school a dear friend. In total, Sprout has performed over 6,262 concerts, including over 5,235 children's concerts.

Sprout said he performed his first children's concert in 1981 at a school in Hightstown, N.J., for a class his mother taught.

"I sang for the children in her classroom as a favor to mom," he said. "The teacher at the next classroom overheard some of my performances and subsequently asked me to perform for the entire school, which I did."

Sprout, who received a degree in psychology from Bucknell University, said he began honing his musical talent shortly after graduating from college.

"Evolving from grown-up music to children's music was a step up for me, personally and professionally," he said.

As for the Heroes concert he performed this month at Steckel, he said he hopes the children developed an appreciation that fame is not always associated with famous persons.

"No one is perfect and everyone has the potential to become a hero," he said. "I hope to teach children to have hope for a better world, to be more optimistic and to try harder to get along with others."

Steckel, Sprout said, will always hold a special place in his heart.

"The people at Steckel Elementary see the value in what I'm doing," he added. "No one does better prep work for my concerts than the teachers and staff at Steckel."

Sprout said it's likely he will return to Steckel next year to entertain the student body and staff.