As part of GIYO’s String-On! program, instructors and volunteers go into Glynn County elementary schools and instruct fifth graders to familiarize them with the violin. During the week, students learn the parts of the violin and bow, how to correctly hold them, the notes represented by the four strings on the violin, how to pluck the strings (pizzicato), and how to play a simple tune. Lessons on vibrato, timbre, forte, piano and other musical terms are given, demonstrated and performed.
Douglas Marshall, Golden Isles Elementary music instructor, was asked about the value of the String-On! program. He professed, “It is great to see the kiddos work towards playing a tune all week long and accomplish this as a team. The String-On! program sparks an interest in many of them to continue learning not only the violin but other instruments as well. It gives them a chance to see that they can do it and be successful at something they didn't think they could do. Watching kids gain confidence as they progress through the String-On! week is really cool to see!”
On Fridays, each class plays their piece for a visiting professional musician from the Coastal Symphony. The visiting artist then plays their instrument for the class and has a Q&A session. This year, classes have had the opportunity to hear a trombone, clarinet, French horn, and violin. The partnership that GIYO has formed with Coastal Symphony has been a wonderful addition to the String-On! program. We hope to see many of the String-On! students in lessons, camp this summer or joining orchestra as they go to middle school next year.
