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November 13, 2009

21st Century afterschool program brings violins to school children

By MIKE JAMES The Daily Independent Fri Nov 13, 2009, 07:23 AM EST

WORTHINGTON — The sounds of Christmas drifted through the halls of Worthington Elementary School Thursday afternoon.

Anyone who followed the music would have found themselves in a classroom where, in a semicircle facing the front, there were 12 children with brightly varnished violins tucked under their chins, bows moving over the strings in unison.

It may seem a little early in the season for “Jingle Bells,” but the children are spending part of their afternoons learning to play the holiday standard.

They’re part of the school’s 21st Century afterschool program and are taking weekly violin lessons courtesy of the program.

“It’s hard to learn and requires a lot of practice, but in the end it’s worth it,” said Sineka Peebles, a fourth-grader. “It’s fun to play.”

The program paid for the instruments, music and music stands, said director Susan Brown. The teacher is Kathleen Chamis, a professional violinist.

“This is an opportunity these children wouldn’t have otherwise,” Brown said.

The children come to their lessons excited, Chamis said. And they should be excited, she believes. They’re learning a new skill, one they can keep all their lives, opening a new musical and cultural window.

“It brings them to another level, a different facet of life they haven’t experienced,” she said.

Aly Howell, who is in sixth grade, put it another way: “It’s a big step in our lives and reaching our goals.”

Sixth-grader Blake Cordle said the lessons give him a feeling of accomplishing something important, “something other people can’t do.”

Some of the children see the violin as a stepping stone. “If I can learn to play one instrument, I can learn guitar or another instrument,” said Sierra King, who is in fifth grade.

Brock Hapney, a fourth-grader, just thought it would be cool. He’s also learning guitar. It’s also relaxing, said Maggie Dooley and Maitland Zaghawski. Maggie is in fourth grade and Maitland is in sixth.

The 21st Century program includes homework help and enrichment activities. Many of the children in the program stay after school because their parents work. Besides violin, Worthington kids in the program can try choir, cheering, hula-hooping and other activities.

The great thing about all of them, Chamis said, is that the children know they are spending their time productively. “They don’t feel they are being babysat,” she said.

Activities in the program are chosen by thinking beyond the classroom.

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