High Mountain Strings
McCall Music Society
High Mountain Strings is an extracurricular violin lesson and youth orchestra program that served 28 youth this past year.
The Essential Question that guided our projects’ focus was:
How do musicians convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work
HMS addresses this essential question by having students perform music with expression, technical accuracy and appropriate interpretation at a community recital, as part of class and in youth orchestra performances. Videos of performances help guide instructor evaluation and student feedback.
At the conclusion of the project, students responded to questions related to the identified Standards:
The Holiday Concert was amazing. I got to meet people like myself who also enjoyed playing a string instrument. It was really fun coming every Tuesday to our practices. I’m 100% positive that every practice I learned a new thing about playing or about my instrument. I enjoyed learning all the songs and playing as a full orchestra. When the concert date came I was nervous but it was totally worth it.
– Adeline
Impact
Students gained an appreciation of classical music, proficiency in playing classical music and the pride that comes from performing and sharing music with others.
Reflection
Participation in our strings program continues to grow steadily each year. The McCall-Donnelly School District added orchestra instruction for both high school and middle school students, which gives our local students even more performing arts opportunities. This program clearly demonstrates that a rural area can create and sustain a youth classical music program.