Art Show | written by: PAMELA DEY VOSSLER
Royle School orchestra members (from left) Max Hall, Henry Haller, Anay Sinha, Reese Halvorsen and Teagan Farley
Is there anything more beautiful than beginning strings? If you listen with your heart, you’ll hear effort, and the triumph of a child who has ventured outside their comfort zone and prevailed, not the imperfect squeak of someone small and brand new to sliding a bow across synthetic material wound in metal. If you look, really look, you’ll see children expanding and growing before your eyes, each playing their part and connected to others in ways they rarely are in today’s screen-addled world.
In Darien, third-, fourth- and fifth-graders have the opportunity to experience all this and more in the beginning strings program offered across all five of our elementary schools. In the highest participation since 2017, 238 children in town did just that last year, receiving the many benefits of early strings education.
“There’s a huge body of research that talks about the correlation between students who study a musical instrument, and success in school and in life,” said Colleen Thompson, Director of Music for the Darien School System.
“Participation in music lessons helps to develop critical thinking skills, self-esteem, teamwork, and contributes to a well-rounded education in a changing world,” echoed Krista DiPietro, director of bands and orchestra at Holmes Elementary School.
“There are many studies proving that playing an instrument is the only activity that uses every part of the brain and helps brain development,” added Dawn Hanley, the orchestra director at Hindley, Ox Ridge and Tokeneke Elementary Schools.
“It has an emotional component to it too,” said Jane Minnis, director of the Darien High School (DHS) orchestra and the Royle Elementary School strings program. “I’ve seen students arrive at their lesson feeling out of sorts, but after they begin practicing with their friends, their mood improves because they’re focusing on playing their instrument and making music together,” she continued.
“It also gives the kids a chance to express themselves and communicate in a way that’s beyond words,” added Jane. “Maybe they can’t express how they feel, but when they play music it comes through.”
Strings students have weekly half-hour, small group lessons with similar instruments and are expected to practice at least 10 minutes every day outside of school and complete all written assignments. They have a minimum of two recitals each year and a handful of “shares” in which parents are invited into the classroom to hear their children play.
In their performances, playing in front of an audience, they are pulled from their comfort zone. They learn they can conquer their fears, they see the results of their efforts which builds confidence and resilience.
In third grade, beginning strings students choose the violin, cello or viola. In fourth grade, they may switch to the double bass or a band instrument such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn or percussion. Some do both – one instrument outside of school and one at school. They begin regular rehearsals with the full orchestra in fourth grade and continue this through fifth grade.
“In fourth grade, when they join the orchestra, they’re part of a body of students who are all working toward the same goal,” said Colleen of the teamwork students learn in beginning strings as they play together, counting on each other to make a good sound.
Participating in the music program is also a way for students to find community, a place to belong during what can be topsy turvy years as kids develop and change.
“The orchestra family is something we really believe in in Darien,” explained Jane. “It is so important for these kids to find their place.”
In Darien, the music program is open to all, athletes included, no virtuosos in the family tree required.
“It’s not like it’s this thing that just a special group of students do,” said Colleen. “Music is for everyone, athletes included. People might be surprised to know that the kid they see on the basketball court also plays the cello,” she continued.
“We have students who have innate talent and motivation who take off with the tools given to them,” explained Dawn. “Others do very well and accomplish what is required. Some students have difficulties and have to develop a growth mindset and persistence to keep up. We welcome them all and amazing things happen across the years where someone who appeared to have trouble suddenly blossoms and it even becomes their passion. It is therapeutic and amazing for developing skills needed to succeed in life in general—persistence, joy in repetition, delayed gratification and more,” she added.
…the beauty of beginning strings indeed!
