Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 13, 1995 TAG: 9506130045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Red, stringy candy in one hand and instruments in the other, about 16 young strings students are trying out a program that offers something new to the New River Valley: the chance to play in a youth string orchestra close to home.
The director of New River Valley Youth Strings, Carol Stone of Catawba Valley, holds their attention for a one-hour rehearsal with works by established composers and an enticing, sugary snack, courtesy of her pocketbook and the students' parents.
"I like the chance to get to play with other people my age," said 11-year-old Kate Smith of Christiansburg. "Before I only got to play with my teacher and by myself."
Smith chose to play the cello because "I like its deep sound and I'm too small to play bass."
None of the orchestra's members, ages 8 to 13, has tackled the bass yet. The orchestra features two violas, two cellos and a dozen violins.
The strings program, which is geared toward students with at least one year of playing experience, started in April. It is supported through both the Montgomery County School Board and the students' parents. So far, there have been six one-hour, after-school rehearsals at Blacksburg Middle School. The last one of the spring was May 31. Rehearsals will likely begin again in late August, perhaps with a second orchestra for older students, Stone said.
The focus is on giving area students a chance to play in a local ensemble. "We're not performance driven," Stone said. "The ultimate product is least important. Progress is what we're stressing."
Her philosophy is popular with the students. Courtney Olson, a fifth-grade violinist from Pearisburg, said of Stone, "She's funny and nice, and she doesn't expect you to be perfect."
Pam Olson, Courtney's mother, said she, too, likes the noncompetitive atmosphere. "The children get the part they think they can play - not what the director decides they can play."
Suzie Jackson, who Stone calls her "right-hand woman" when it comes to the New River Valley Strings, credits Stone for conceiving the group.
The two met when Jackson's 10-year-old daughter, Chelsea, began taking violin lessons.
At the time, Stone was bothered by the lack of opportunity for young musicians in Montgomery County. She knew of several students who regularly carpooled to Roanoke to participate in Roanoke Junior Strings, but "the drive made playing in a group out of reach for some students," said Stone, the 37-year-old mother of 8-year-old Kendall and 10-year-old Eric, violinists who both play in her group, and 4-year-old Ethan, "a promising percussionist."
Jackson agreed to handle the promotion end of setting up a local program if Stone would tackle the conductor's job.
"I think it's important for children to realize that their peers are playing, too. It's good for their self esteem to be in a group, when they're used to practicing alone all the time," Jackson said.
So she set up an organizational meeting which drew a strong turnout of students and parents. Soon after that, the Montgomery County School Board advertised for a director to spearhead an after-school, pilot strings ensemble.
"I talked to the board about what we were doing, and I suggested that we combine the two efforts," Stone said. "They agreed, and I got the job to start the group."
School Board Chairman Roy Vickers said the board's goal was to "provide a well-rounded education" for students when it supported board member Lou Herrmann's request to start a county strings program.
Herrmann has pushed to create a string program for about three years.
Several local string teachers have supported the ensemble, too, encouraging their students to attend rehearsals.
"It's an outlet for young students to socialize with each other and learn ensemble skills," said David Salness, a violinist in the Virginia Tech-based Audubon Quartet. Four of his students are in the New River Valley Youth Strings, and he works with Stone on her teaching technique.
"The first rehearsal was hard. Everyone was anxious about what to expect, including me. No one wanted to be singled out. During that first snack break, no one was talking to each other," Stone said. "But I introduced a silly poem which we all recited, we did some playing, and everyone felt a lot better."
Stone, a violinist since age 9, hopes the group will offer a new dimension to students' perception of playing music and spark new friendships.
"It's great to see them get turned on to music, to see them connect to the group - listening to each other play, balancing, keeping time together. That's what makes it worthwhile for me," she said.
For more information about the New River Valley Youth Strings, call Carol Stone at 951-5129.
by CNB