Crossroads News
Elementary Schoolers Share the Gift of Music
Students in the Instrumental Music Program perform at a local senior living facility.
Stop by Norton Campus on a Friday afternoon and you might hear the sounds of classical instruments echoing from within the library. The source? Students in the Elementary School’s Instrumental Music Program, an afterschool enrichment class aimed at providing the School’s second through fifth graders an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of brass, string and woodwind instruments.
Helmed by Gina Coletti, director of the School’s Elizabeth Mandell Music Institute (EMMI) and the Elementary and Middle School Instrumental Music programs, the fee-based enrichment class takes place twice a week either before or after school, with students breaking into practice groups organized by skill level.
“As director of EMMI, I want this all to continue,” said Gina. “The second grader who just started, I want to see in eight years in EMMI. That's my goal. So having a high-quality program that can instill the love of music and the discipline of it is the goal. And I think that's a huge bonus for our school.”
Before she joined the program, fifth grader Ella Rhodes said she had no formal music background. Now entering her fourth year of the program, Ella is in the advanced skills group, known as Performance Ensemble, and looks forward to playing music with her friends in the program each week.
“I love playing at school because the concerts and the classes are so much fun and your friends can do it too,” said Ella. “I never would’ve started playing the violin if the School hadn’t offered it.”
On Oct. 31, Performance Ensemble students took a field trip to the senior living community Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens to perform for residents and partake in some festive trick or treating. Students played a mix of their favorite songs, such as “Golden” from “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” as well as Halloween-themed tunes. The field trip was a smashing success, with both students and residents enjoying the chance to connect and bond over a love of music.
No matter their skill level, all students in the program gain experience performing in front of a live audience. At the end of the year, Instrumental Music students play at an Elementary School Gathering in front of their families, teachers and friends. Whether playing for the Crossroads community or the community at large, the program encourages students to develop confidence and a love for sharing their music with others.
“It’s fun because I get to give other people a gift because they get to listen to music,” said fifth grader Shanta Vora. “And also I just really like to perform.”
