Summer music program for "soon to be" fifth graders

(July 2007) For the second summer since the reconfiguration of grade levels in the elementary schools, the fourth graders in the Riverhead School District were offered an opportunity to take lessons over the summer--before they enter the fifth grade and begin the normal progression of lessons from fifth through twelfth grade.

Pulaski's music teachers are spending their summer giving music lessons to some of their incoming students. Trevor Hewitt, who teaches band and general music at Pulaski, thinks summer lessons are a great idea.

"Summer lessons 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 recent 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."

On the stage with him, four young ladies, who have chosen to play the flute, are learning how to identify the notes on the staff and in the spaces. Next, they practice the proper way to blow into the mouthpiece; finally, it is time to assemble their flutes and practice their fingering.

Down the hall, Christina Albani, who is the orchestra teacher at Pulaski, shares that she and Mr. Hewitt have a full schedule of students--approximately 24 students a day, three days a week, with 45 minutes scheduled for each set of students. The school has some instruments available for beginning students who couldn't afford an instrument and has also worked out a plan that will be available in the fall for students who need financial assistance to purchase or rent an instrument.

Ms. Albani's students today, Taylor and Estefanie, both chose to play the violin.

"My grandmother, who is from Germany, played this violin," explained Taylor, "and she encouraged me to begin taking lessons on the violin."

"I just always wanted to play the violin," stated Estefanie.

"The summer program is very popular," explained Ms. Albani. "Almost 100% of the students who began lessons in the fall of last year are continuing in the program this year," she noted, "so we're very busy giving lessons and getting students ready for concert band and orchestra."

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