DEC.2007—Maple Hill and Mechanicstown Elementary Schools will be filled with the sounds of music come 2008, as the new strings program at both schools is launched.

Students in grades three and four (who aren't already in band) will have a choice to play the violin, viola, cello or bass. And thanks to new strings teacher Megan Creenan, students are getting the chance to learn a little bit about each instrument before they have to make such a tough decision.  Creenan, along with her four instruments, has been making the rounds at both schools doing demonstrations and she’ll continue to do so during January.

Creenan plans to focus on tone production, note reading, bowing exercises, among other things, with students this school year. “My focus will be on playing first, and then doing as much reading as we can,” she said. In the very first lessons, students will work on songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle Little Star, and Old MacDonald, and learn proper hand position and how to use the bow to get a pleasing tone.

“In the very first lessons,” Creenan said, “I have the students pluck the songs, and we work on right and left hands independently.  I have them practice their bow holds and then we work on playing each open string by itself. Eventually the songs kids were plucking can be performed with the bow. ”

Note reading too is crucial for a successful orchestra program—and that, according to Creenan, will be added into the mix as early as possible.

“We’ll work on reading exercises where the kids will say note names without actually playing. Then they'll say note names while plucking, and finally say note names while bowing.  It is quite a process for beginners to get both hands moving independently, stay on one string, know where to put fingers, hold the bow and instrument correctly, and keep eyes on the page to read music!"

Elementary students have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, so make sure to look out for Ms. Creenan because strings are coming to Middletown!