Penn State music majors, State College fifth-graders share learning experience

Ed Mahon

UNIVERSITY PARK — Kimberly Jones, 27, waved her hands, conducting the about 50 State College Area fifth-grade students as they performed Michael Sweeney's "Imperium."

CDT/Nabil K. Mark

Houserville Elementary student Hannah Good plays the flute. Penn State music students have teamed up with the State College Area School District to get the students more experience. CDT/Nabil K. Mark October 14, 2009

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In the back row, Penn State music professor Linda Thornton and one of Jones’ classmates performed what they jokingly called “triage.”

They helped the trumpet players find the right seats, told the drummers to slow down and knocked two cymbals together. Later, when it was their turn to stand at the podium, Jones returned the favor.

“Our job when we’re not conducting is just to help where it’s needed. ... So that’s just what we do for each other,” said Thornton, “because six rehearsals is not a lot for fifth-graders.”

Wednesday morning’s rehearsal was the third one, with a concert scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at State College Area High School’s South Building. Thornton and State College fourth-and fifth-grade music teacher Roy Schaeffer began the partnership three years ago, prompted by a conversation between Schaeffer and Thornton.

At the time, Thornton was Schaeffer’s adviser for his master’s degree.

The program was piloted at Park Forest and Gray’s Woods elementary schools the first year, expanded to Radio Park last year. This is the first year fifth-grade students from all eight of the eligible district elementary schools are participating.

The 160 or so fifth-grade students get band and orchestra practice in the fall. And the future teachers get practice conducting novices instead of their classmates.

“The kids act so much different than peer groups,” said Sarah Mosebrook, a 21-year-old Penn State senior who plays clarinet and piano. “They have problems you wouldn’t expect.”

The State College Area students, almost all second-year musicians, don’t know certain notes, struggle with pacing and have more experience playing solo — so they need to be reminded to keep their eyes on the conductor when they play in an ensemble.

“They’re not going to necessarily get it the first time, or the second time, or the third time,” said Jones, a clarinet player. “And that’s when you have to come back and say, ‘How can I do this differently?’ ”

In State College schools, teachers introduce music to the students in fourth grade, and Schaeffer said ensemble experience, which had been missing in the fall, is key to keeping kids interested in music.

“They were significantly more prepared for playing in the spring semester after having done this,” Schaeffer said of previous years’ students. He said the notes start clicking for students by the fifth rehearsal.

Each hourlong rehearsal begins at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, and students are broken up into four groups: two bands, two orchestras. During Wednesday’s rehearsal, Jones told the clarinet section to speed up their performance.

“Clarinets, whatever you do when you get to 13, make sure that you’re watching me, OK?” she said, then challenged them to play faster than she conducts. “I want you to try to be too fast.”

Down the hall, in another room of the Blue Band Building, the students in Jessica Weimer’s clarinet section sounded a little fuzzy as they performed “Sakura.”

“I’m going to give you one little tip, one little tip. ... Make sure that your speed is fast and focused, like a laser beam,” she said, and then gave a demonstration.

During a rehearsal of “Nottingham Castle,” Mosebrook used a technique Penn State professor Dennis Glocke had taught her the week before. She had the students yell “How” several times and then whisper the word several times.

“Now, whisper it, breathing in,” she said. “Ready, breathe in. You feel all that air? Feel all that? Isn’t that funny? ... That’s how you want to feel before you play trumpet.”

After practice, 10-year-old Brandon Price packed up a saxophone and prepared to take a bus to Gray’s Woods Elementary School.

“They’re so good at playing instruments,” Price said of the Penn State teachers, “and they’re nice, too.”

IF YOU GO

What: State College fifth-graders will perform concert

When: 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15

Where: State College Area High School South Building

Details: The concert, featuring four groups of musicians playing about 15 songs, is free and open to the public.

Ed Mahon can be reached at 231-4619.