Fine tuning

Danette Goulet

Hundreds of sixth-graders at Davis School took the stage with violins in

hand Tuesday and held their audience in thrall -- after only nine weeks

of instruction.

It was one of three school concerts scheduled this week, marking the end

of violin instruction before students tackle the trumpet.

In the sixth grade, students learn to play four instruments over the

course of the year -- one from each family of the orchestra, said music

instructor Scott Fitzpatrick.

“It’s pretty fun because we get to try something new,” 13-year-old Victor

Reyna said of the instrumental variety.

Students receive 50 minutes of instruction each week, but are not able to

bring the instruments home because of the limited supply. Every nine

weeks, they switch to a new instrument. By the end of the year, they have

experienced the clarinet, violin, drum pads and trumpet.

“We’ve already played the clarinet,” Victor said. “From my point of view,

I didn’t like it very much. The clarinet has all these buttons.”

Victor was not alone in his preference. Most all students agreed.

“I like the violin because it makes a neater sound,” said 11-year-old

Lacey Robinson.

The limited number of instruments also calls for a highly organized

concert performance.

There are enough violins for two classes to play at once. So after a song

ended, one class, which filled half the stage, would file out and hand

off their instruments to students from another class waiting in the

wings. Those students would then file in and join the first class. This

continued until all 10 sixth-grade classes had performed.

Fitzpatrick has been tackling the rotating schedule of instrumental

instruction since the school opened three years ago.

“We’ve been very, very fortunate to have him and the fact that the Board

of Education recognizes the value of fine arts,” said Principal Cheryl

Galloway. “This may be the boys’ and girls’ only chance to play an

instrument.”

Davis also offers music to students in the form of an after-school band,

called the All-Star Band, which was organized by concerned PTA parent

Bonnie Saryan.

“There just isn’t enough music in our schools, so I put this together,”

Saryan said. “We needed to have kids interested in music and learning to

play instruments.”

Students rent their instruments and practice after school twice a week

with Fitzpatrick.

“I’m not even hoping for concert musicians here,” Saryan said. “I’m

hoping for music appreciation.”

The combination of the two programs seems to be working.

Jamie Tinnion started playing the clarinet with the rest of the sixth

grade, but decided to continue his affair with the woodwind instrument by

joining the after-school band.