Worchester County - May 2018 - Small Musicians Make Big Music with the MSO

On Monday, May 7, kindergartners and First Graders at Showell and Ocean City Elementary Schools were all smiles! They were making music, practicing the high and low sounds of the violin and the cello. Helping them try their hand at student-sized instruments were professional musicians from the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO), Blair Skinner, violinist, and Ismar Gomes, cellist, who travelled from Baltimore to spend the day with these budding musicians.

In all, seven classes—totaling 130 students taught by music teacher, Mrs. Bethany Pugner—had the opportunity to listen to the professionals describe their instruments and play for them. Then, each student “played” both instruments under the guidance of Mr. Skinner and Mr. Gomes. They plucked “pizzicato” and they made the instruments sing by drawing the bow across the strings. They talked about the differences between the instruments and learned that the hair of a horse’s tail is what helps the bow bring the strings of each instrument to life.

It is hoped that these experiences will have a lasting impression on these youngest students and that they will have many more encounters in the future with classical music and the musicians who so enjoy bringing their art to our children here on the shore!

This program and others presented in several of Worcester County schools during the 2017-18 school year, were made possible, thanks to the commitment to music education by the MSO and to generous funding by Mr. Michael Jahnigen of Frankford, Delaware.