THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506220193
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEAN GEDDES, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Ask the 6-year-old music students who recently graduated from the Kindermusik School of Virginia Beach what a ``ganza gambang'' is and they can tell you: It is a musical instrument used in Indonesia that looks like a dragon and you play it with wooden beaters.
The young graduates of the two-year program held at Bayshore Learning Center on Pleasure House Road not only recognize various musical instruments from other countries as well as their own, but they know something about the composers, their songs and folk dances of the world.
But even more, these youngsters who have attended a weekly class since they were 4, can now compose songs, place notes on the musical staff and play their own glockenspiels.
At graduation, Hannah Perkins, Anders Janson and Benjamin Wolfred performed a rondo as part of the program.
Carol Manuel, teacher and director of the program, said by the time the children graduate, they are familiar with pitch, including flat and sharp, and can write rhythm and pitch for their own compositions.
``Kindermusik gives the child a total musical experience at a time when developmental factors are receptive to music,'' Manuel said. ``It's like a musical bath, for their entire being is immersed in music.''
The parents, who also are involved in the program, were delighted with the results. Dr. Jan Janson, whose son, Anders, was graduated said, ``Anders has developed an excellent appreciation of music and can recognize various orchestral instruments.''
Manuel said, ``Movement is very important in the program as is vocal development. However, we develop the students' voices in a gentle way through singing, speaking, reciting, chanting, exploring the various sounds of the voice for vocal development in the music environment. This helps memory, diction and language.''
Benjamin Wolfred's parents, Meg and John, both music teachers, said they are amazed at their son's creativity. His mother said, ``We may be driving along in the car and he's making up lyrics.'' According to his father, ``Being able to create melody on the glockenspiel has helped develop his concentration.''
Manuel, who has taught music for 25 years, said this is the first class to graduate in the area and that now the children are well prepared to go on with further musical involvement such as instrumental lessons, choir singing or joining an ensemble.
And singing is now a most important part of young Hannah Perkin's life, according to her father, Bill, who not only enjoys hearing her sing, but said she has a much better musical background because of the program. MEMO: For information on the Kindermusik program, call 424-3962. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHARLIE MEADS
Students Anders Janson, Benjamin Wolfred and Hannah Perkins watch
Carol Manuel play a glockenspiel.
A picture shows musical instruments of different cultures.
by CNB