A Melodic Makeover

Sean Brewer (front) and Benjamin Peacock of Trinity Christian Schoolby elizabeth weaver - All photos by David Hagen

Music Makes a Difference for Students

By Elizabeth Weaver

Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg is a relatively new school, but it's growing by leaps and bounds. So is the musical virtuosity of its students.

Dana Lamb began as Trinity Christian's music teacher in October 2004, hired to teach elementary music, private lessons and to grow an orchestra program. At that time, she set her sights on developing a full orchestra program in 2 to 5 years.

Dana was surprised and delighted at how readily the students responded to the idea. "Trinity's orchestra program was supposed to be "seeded" in 2-5 years," she says. "It essentially happened in 2­5 months. I have over 30 kids committed to the orchestra, with more to follow."

In fall 2004, Dana was teaching the first-to-third graders about the families of instruments--brass, strings, winds, etc. She brought several of her own instruments into the school to let the students experience them firsthand.

"Because the only hands-on instruments of the group are drums and violins, I had the kids try out the violin," Dana says. "I have a personal rule against mixing young children and drums for any long period of time."

Anne Cole Werner

The following week, Dana brought in her five violins and taught the basic strings. The students were beyond attentive and didn't mind sharing. She was amazed to see that they even patiently waited their turns. "The kids flipped for the violin," she says. "Those were some of the best music classes I have ever taught in my career!"

Because of the overwhelming popularity of the violin in class, Trinity principal Dean Demos released funds for the school to purchase 12 more violins. The students, within four months of bi-weekly 10-minute playing sessions, learned to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" by reading music. The school started a weekly one-hour group lesson, which quickly exploded into three after-school group lessons with about 8­10 children in each.

And the interest continues. Dana reports, "Over 10% of the Trinity student body is studying and playing the violin on a regular basis. Parents have been ordering violins through my dealer like they were diamonds."

Because of the students' overwhelming enthusiasm, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) took notice. The ASO Quartet made a visit to the school last May and held mini master classes for grades 1-4. They also invited the violin students to play with them at a recital. Even the children who weren't playing violin were excited enough to have autograph books ready for the quartet.

The program has now exploded into a full scale orchestra, not just violins, Dana reports. One third grade student was so moved by his experience with the ASO that he gave up the violin and took up the viola to be the only violist in the school. One third grade teacher is playing cello in the orchestra and three young students jumped at the chance to join her and are actively studying the cello.

"An older middle school boy, who plays trumpet in the band, wanted to play the bass--not the bass guitar, but an upright bass," says Dana. "Mr. Demos was more than willing to release funds for the school to purchase a bass for this young man to play. There is an overwhelming active interest among the middle school boys to play the upright bass. If the school could afford five of them, we'd have enough kids to play them, that's for sure!"

The ASO Quartet will be back for another visit. In fact they've picked Trinity to be the only school that they go to this year. Dana and Mr. Demos are both excited; they know how much it means to the students.

"The students with official invitations to play with the ASO Quartet walk taller, smile more and realize that playing violin--or fiddle, as some call it--is not just a boring thing that Mom makes them do. They realize that there are achievements to be made and honors to be received for their hard work and dedication," Dana says.

Trinity's children, parents and faculty are committed to the music program, and are experiencing the incredible benefits it bestows on the students. "Trinity Christian School is very appreciative of
the music gifting and enthusiasm
Mrs. Lamb has brought to our music program," says Principal Demos. "I believe the music skills and music appreciation she is imparting will bring a lifetime of enrichment."

Dana says that it's exciting and gratifying to see children succeed because of their music. "While school boards are taking music out of the school because they feel that it's non-essential, I'm seeing children whose grades and self-esteem improve daily because of their music lessons," she adds. "I'm seeing children make friends through music, not only with other children, but also with the musicians within themselves."