Students to perform with philharmonic
Participating music educators and their students learn about music, the orchestra and its instruments.
More than 3,000 local elementary school students and their music teachers in eight school districts have been preparing for months to join the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert performance at the Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center on April 30.
It’s all part of Link Up, a program from the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute in New York City and funded by the Tuscarawas Philharmonic. Participating music educators and their students learn about music, the orchestra and its instruments. Each student uses an instrument or their voice to learn music fundamentals and performance basics.
At Indian Valley’s Midvale Elementary School, music educator Lindsey Trushell said her students are enthusiastic about their Link Up experience, which includes singing and learning to play recorders and xylophones.
“They’re very excited to participate in this program and looking forward to the April concert,” Trushell said. “For most it will be their first time to see a live orchestra. Some are even spending extra time in the music room learning how to play the tunes on different instruments.”
Trushell is working with 415 Indian Valley students grade 3-5 in the 35-minute classes.
At no cost Carnegie Hall has provided high-quality educational resources including Link Up resources for students, teachers and administrators; a curriculum guide, lesson plans and activities for each teacher; orchestral scores and parts for most pieces, concert scripts and visuals; and online resources for additional lessons and interactive classroom activities.
Sallie Stroup, executive director of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra, hopes to continue this project for years into the future. “With local support, which started this year from the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation, our goal is to offer the Link Up program to local schools annually with new curriculum provided by Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute and the sponsorship of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra,” Stroup said.
The Tuscarawas Philharmonic has covered significant expenses to implement Link Up including season-end concerts featuring the orchestra, conductor and Link Up students; recruitment of local teachers and students for participation; professional-development workshops and support for local teachers; recorder instruments for students lacking the instrument; a stipend for a local lead teacher; and travel/training in New York.
“The Link Up program has our students playing easy parts or harder ones as some are able,” Trushell said. “The students are learning dynamics, tempo, phrasing and breath marks. They read a melodic line and allow their instrument or voice to follow. The curriculum targets many learning goals at each grade level to allow the students to stretch and grow musically.”
In the New Philadelphia elementary schools, music educator Julie Kandel has introduced the Link Up program to the district’s fourth-graders, who she describes as “beyond excited.”
“Students have been to the PAC for school field trips and cannot believe they will be the actual performers,” Kandel said. “The students are reaching high and working together to be their absolute best. They come into the music classroom with a whole new sense of purpose, and I truly believe they feel important. Each child has unique talents, and I love that the Link Up program allows each child to perform in ways that make them the most comfortable.”
Kandel said the children will sing, play recorders and ukuleles, and dance. “There are levels everyone can attain within the instrumental parts. A simplified recorder part features only a few notes while the more difficult recorder part will require more work for students to master,” she said.
Stroup said this will be a great experience for the young musicians participating. “Imagine making music with your friends and then coming together with your peers from other schools, joining a professional orchestra in a unified presentation. This event is not for an audience but is a collaboration, kids just getting along and being kids."
Link Up is just the latest addition to the philharmonic’s wide range of educational opportunities for musicians of all ages.
During the current season these programs include Performing Arts Camp, Percussion Camp, The Children’s Chorus, The Adult Chorus, Women’s Honors Chorus, The Honors Band and Link Up with Carnegie Hall.
Financial support from the local community, foundations, corporations and individuals makes these music-education programs available at low cost or no cost to participants.
For more information about the Tuscarawas Philharmonic and the current concert season or to purchase tickets, visit www.tuscarawasphilharmonic.org/.