(Summer
2006)
Entering the back door of the Pulaski Street School, one
can step around the evidence of the maintenance crew's work,
follow the sound of the fledgling notes of beginning musicians
to a small practice room and find a couple of recent graduates
of fourth grade taking advantage of the district's new summer
music program. For the first time since the reconfiguration
of grade levels in the elementary schools, the fourth graders
in the Riverhead School District are being offered an opportunity
to take lessons over the summer--before they all enter the
fifth grade and begin the normal progression of lessons
from fifth through twelfth grade.
Two of the District's music teachers are spending their
summer giving music lessons to some of Pulaski's incoming
students. Trevor Hewitt, who teaches band and general music
at Pulaski, thinks summer lessons are a great idea.
"This will give our students a jump on fifth grade
lessons," explained Mr. Hewitt. "The District's
students were previously able to start lessons in fourth
grade when the fourth and fifth grades were at Pulaski.
With the new configuration of grades (K-4), it became difficult
to give the students lessons in fourth grade, so this is
a way to make up for lost time and give them an opportunity
to progress a little more quickly and audition for band
or orchestra in January if they feel ready."
Samantha
and Sydney both chose clarinet.
"My
dad played clarinet," explained Sydney, "and so
he encouraged me to begin taking lessons on the clarinet."
"I
just always wanted to play clarinet," explained Samantha.
Allison
and Devan both decided on bass. They both agreed, "It
just looked fun." So far, they haven't been disappointed.
The
orchestra teacher at Pulaski, Christina Albani, has been
giving lessons to orchestra students.
Mr.
Hewitt shared that they had a full schedule of students--24
students a day, three days a week, with 45 minutes scheduled
for each pair of students. The school has some instruments
available for beginning students who couldn't afford an
instrument and also has a plan worked out that would be
available in the fall for students who need financial assistance
to purchase or rent an instrument.
