Classical Music; the Mirror of Our World
by Elizabeth M.

Throughout the ages, there is one thing that has endured the test of time. It is indestructible and strong, yet lovely, and at times, fragile. It is classical music.
Since an early period in history, it has made an impact in people’s lives. Its unique ability to touch people is why I love it so much.

Sometimes, music makes me feel amazed that there really is such beauty in the world. Some pieces seem almost too magnificent to be real. When I hear these pieces, I understand why people have loved them for so long. Classical music has the ability to elicit an astounding range of emotions from people. It can make you laugh, cry, and wonder. Through time, people have dedicated their lives to music, simply because it is so wonderful.

One reason I love to play classical music is its amazing diversity. I could play a sad, mournful piece of music, one in which it seems my violin is crying. I could play an excited, jubilant piece, or an angry, passionate one. There is a wide variety of styles to be found in classical music. I also love how much expression a player can put into a classical piece. The same composition can sound wildly different when played by two musicians with different styles. That’s what makes live performances exciting, as well as just being able to watch accomplished people play. Recently, I went to see a very talented quartet, and I thought, Wow! The musicians in the group were like artists, weaving the notes into a beautiful melody that soars through the air. Experiences like this make classical music a worthwhile and wonderful pursuit.

I also enjoy classical music because I can play it with other people. I love to spend time with people who share my interest in music. It’s also a great experience to learn about different playing styles from other teachers and students. Last summer, I went to a music camp, and I loved it! As well as having fun, I learn valuable lessons from music camps. I love playing in quartets and orchestras! They build your experience, and help you develop your listening and cooperation skills. Playing in them is also tons of fun! Classical music allows me to have these enjoyable experiences.

In my opinion, classical music is a mirror of emotions and, ultimately, of life.
I believe it is part of the history and foundations of people on Earth. That is truly why it has endured for so long. Musicians all over the world feel the same way I do about it. We love it! Classical music allows us all to understand each other, proving that music really is a universal language. It allows me to express myself and connect with other people, and this is why I enjoy playing it!

Playing Classical Music is a Passion for Me
by Shane M.

My name is Shane M.  I am 14 years of age.  Given that I play violin, most of the music I play is classical.  I really enjoy being around other people who play classical music.  Playing music gives me a sense of satisfaction and endless happiness.  When I’ve had a bad day, I always have something worthwhile to come home to.  A lot of kids my age ask me, “Do you like to practice that much?”  “How can you spend that much time on that one measure?”  Practicing the violin isn’t something I avoid; I like to play my instrument.  Violin is the way I “sing” and express myself;  it is my voice in the world of music.  I love to become better, and I strive to do so.  My violin and I exist only with each other; without me it couldn’t make sound, and without it I couldn’t make music.  It all comes back to just playing music and sharing it with others.  This is why I love playing violin.

Playing in an orchestra is a very new experience if one is used to playing solo.  Orchestral music is interconnected and woven together.  Sections of instruments depend on different sections to make the required sounds.  If the first violin section and the clarinets decided to take a break in the middle of Tchaikovsky’s Final Symphony it would sound awful.  The group also depends on that individual; if someone does not practice and show up to a rehearsal, they would sound awful and use the wrong bowings.  The way one person plays affects the entire group.

I love to play music because it draws me toward others who like the same things I do.  In orchestra I get to be around people that understand how I feel about music.  I also play because I’m dedicated to my violin; the more I play the better both of us sound.  When I first obtained my violin, it wanted to go back to its previous owner.  I had to practice many long hours in order to fully understand and develop its sound.  After many months of hard work it finally opened up and accepted me as its owner.  I do not see it as an inanimate object.  Instead I see it as a person, a partner who gets equal share in the intensive journey through the musical world.  My violin is the reason I succeed and continue to progress.  I enjoy playing and performing music because my violin has a rich, complex sound.  I place a priceless value on it and would not part with it for anything in the world.  It helps me to become better.  That is why I play music and enjoy playing music around other people.  Well, my violin and I have to go practice now.  The Handel’s Messiah performance is coming up soon, and we sure want to be ready.

by Rachel H.

After several years of playing music, it becomes a part of who you are.  Not only is it a part of me, but without it I feel lost and like something is missing.

I’m a girl that loves a challenge; I’m very athletic and never give up.  When I play sports, I get out there and get a rush of adrenaline; I get so pumped and excited about playing.  I pump up my teammates and encourage them to do their best, as I would.  Once I get out there is no turning back, I’m focused and anything that happened before absolutely does not matter, nothing else does but the game.  I have to be aggressive with every step I take, know what to do beforehand, be completely focused, and tale out everything including my emotions out on the fields.

Being bale to play good individually and as a team gives rewards in the end.  Being able to win the game and the feeling of victory, as an athlete that’s all the reward you need.  Being an athlete and having to go out in front of a lot of people and doing what I do best makes me so excited I can’t contain myself.  Going out on stage and being able to play music that I’ve practiced over and over again, just gives me an adrenaline rush.  Knowing that in the end all the practice will be worth it.  Like playing sports, being on stage gives me the same adrenaline rush and excitement.  When I’m up there all I want to do is perform and put on a show that will be unforgettable.  I take everything out on the music and that is all I’m focused on; I could care less about anything else that is going on.

Getting pieces of music that I know will be a challenge just by looking at it gets me motivated.  I love a challenge and I won’t give up until I complete my goal.  Not only does playing music keep me motivated and busy, it just makes life better and has helped me with a lot in life.  Without music I don’t think I would be as good as I am in math.  Music has helped me in school and in life; I have a lot more value for it than I did when I started playing.

When I started playing the viola, I didn’t care that much I just wanted to learn how to play and get it over with.  I really had no value toward it; I honestly could care less about it.  But now it’s a totally different story music has become a part of me that I want to keep around.  Even if it doesn’t take me places I still want to somehow be involved in music when I’m older.

When music becomes also important to you, that it becomes a part of you.  That proves that it has a lot of value to you, because if it didn’t then it wouldn’t be so important.  Music has a lot of value to me, without it I would be incomplete. I wouldn’t like not having music in my life.

I have often questioned the value of playing the violin. So many hours of practice are invested in a single performance that could easily go wrong. Playing a string instrument is a trial of patience, endurance, and concentration. At times it seems that the violin is inescapable; one day without playing negates a week of diligent practicing. The more I work, the more work there is to be done. But more frustrating than the endless labor is the attitude that so many people have about classical music.

Often when I tell people that my college major is violin performance, they react with laughter or a sarcastic comment like "good luck." Still worse than these personal comments is the generally pervasive attitude that classical music is too scholarly, irrelevant, and boring. This leads me to question why I perform at all, when the music falls on a seemingly deaf audience.

I play the violin because I have something to say. Music is not about showing off, and neither is it a pedantic exercise in counterpoint. Performing is about opening my heart to strangers, about baring my soul to people whom I may never meet. It is an intimate communion of human emotions. An audience comes to a performance with all the pain and struggles of daily life, but a performance can give hope, strength, and courage. My role as a performer is to assure the audience of the joy and love that transcend life’s struggles.

Although I have received much applause in my years of playing, it is not the applause or cheers that have enduring meaning in my musical experience. My countless hours of practice are not spent to purchase an applauding audience. Rather, my years of struggle find meaning in the silent member of the audience whose eyes are brimming with tears. My work is realized in the man who finds hope in the dark corner of the concert hall. It is in the most joyful proclamation of love that I cease questioning the hours of work. It is then that I know beyond all doubt that the violin is priceless. For nothing can be more valuable than sharing love with other people.

Someday, the sun will be on my back, my steps will falter, and my road will end. My road may be a long one, and perhaps I will achieve the unlikely age of ninety years. If that time comes I do not anticipate sprinting through ten kilometers. I likely won’t shoot hoops, twirl pirouettes, fake out my soccer opponent, or remember my Spanish numbers. At any age, however, no matter how many miles I have come, or the vastness I have still before me, my violin will be my constant companion. I will walk with it always tucked beneath my chin, for my life is the music of classical strings. Classical strings have furnished me with an accomplishment that will elevate, beautify, and enrich every single step of the rest of my life.

The worth of classical strings to me today is inestimable. The violin has changed the life I live; the way I walk through life, the people who walk with me, the music that surrounds and brightens each step. The classical strings have taken my hand, led me off the main highway, and set me in the world of extraordinary artists:spattered potters, talented painters, prize-winning authors, and, of course, virtuouso string players. The value of all that I have gained in the decade since I was first introduced to classical strings can be quantified by only one thing: the joy it brings to my life.

The way ahead of me—my future—is already benefiting from the presence of classical strings. I will be capable to climb any jagged cliff that I encounter because I have been trained in perseverance, courage, and ambition. Additionally, the violin ensures that my road will never be dark, lonely, or bleak. When I am sad, I have only to play a rousing jig and my spirits lift. When I am lonely, I merely begin Concerto in D minor for Two Violins by Bach, and I never fail to find a partner!  The classical strings have set a high standard for me, and every day I come closer to that challenging, inspiring, elevating touchstone.

I have performed at weddings, nursing homes, concerts, and contests. I have played for friends, critics, strangers, and Grandpa. I have learned Suzuki, Book One by heart, Brahms’s Symphony No. 4  by endurance, and Mozart’s Concerto No. 5 by infatuation. I am a classical string player, and my life would be empty if I was anything else. I know that the time will come when more miles lay behind me than ahead of me. Those miles will be strewn with the intensity and ecstasy of classical strings. Right now, though, I keep walking down my road. The sun—ahead of me—is in my face, and the wind is in my hair; my violin is under my chin and my bow is on the string. And I am dancing from the power I possess!

I have been playing the violin since I was 4 years old, and it has always been an extremely beneficial part of my life.  Over 12 years of playing, I have seen its value in the development of my mind, character, and body.  The music has been continual nourishment for my soul and I have been given wonderful opportunities to serve God and minister to others.  In addition, I have gained many meaningful friendships.

My mind is constantly learning new things, being stretched as I am open to the endless treasury of music knowledge.  The further I go into music, the more I learn about the technique, repertoire, and theory of my instrument.  I find this all worthwhile, and am fascinated by classical music history and the lives of composers.  My mind has been sharpened by the exercises of music memorization and note reading.  Concentration on classical music has kept my mind fresh and growing artistically as well as analytically.

Diligent practice has improved my character as I become more disciplined and patient in my progression.  I have become confident from mastering pieces and performing, but am also learning modesty, and how to act when given compliments.  Playing a classical instrument has given me constant opportunities to grow through the respectful attitude due teachers and conductors.  It has also been beneficial for teamwork through ensembles, growing my patience as I play with those of different ages and abilities.  My character is brought to an appreciation of hard work, the value of other artists, and the genius of composers.

Violin playing requires good posture, so my body has grown straight and strong.  The development of skill and coordination in my fingers and arms is a great benefit for many other areas of my life.  Also, my ears have been well-trained to enjoy listening to music, becoming sharp and sensitive to pitch and volume.

The truest reward of playing classical strings to me has been the music!  The beauty of classical music and the thrill of making it is both calming and exciting, and daily inspires and refreshes my soul.  Playing is an outlet for my emotions, and a way to express myself freely.  This has been so significant to my artistic growth.  I have benefited spiritually from playing music in churches, nursing homes, and events continually since I was very young.  I have found that the opportunity of sharing God’s gift of music is awesome, and music can minister to others in a powerful way.

I have built and enjoy many friendships through music.  Making music with people is so exciting, and is my favorite thing to do with friends.  Playing music connects me with many amazing people, builds new friendships, and also strengthens existing friendships.  Sharing performance anticipation and applause with friends is bonding.  My relationships with my teachers are valued as I am so thankful for the gift of music that they have given me.  My family has been brought closer together as my 3 brothers, 2 sisters, and I rehearse, perform, and minister together with our string playing.  Thanks to my parents, we all enjoy music, and share our love for music with each sibling as they join the group.

Ultimately, playing classical strings for several years has been exciting, stretching, and satisfying.    Being able to perform and share my growing artistry drives me and continually inspires me.  The values I have described are significant in every area of my life. This music is a part of me, and I will always be thankful for it.

WINNER!!
Contest #3- String Teachers
How do you think your students' lives have been changed by playing classical strings?

by Jan D.

I often think about the meaning of my life. Where I am, where I want to be, and most of all, am I making a difference. We all have stories about teachers who have impacted our lives to the point of giving our life meaning and purpose. I know I do! If it weren't for one special teacher during my high school years, I wouldn't be doing what I do today. Of course, I also had a 4th grade violin teacher who told my parents they were wasting their money!

Now that I'm sitting on the other side of the desk, I try very hard…..in fact some days EXTREMELY hard to see the potential in all children. This recognition tonight is about a boy named Chris. He entered the 3rd grade professing that some day he would be the "bestest" symphony player in the world!  Well, naturally I patted him on the head and said "how wonderful, Chris"! Each child in his class was given a school instrument….(many times referred to as "wretched little boxes"….complete with carved artwork from past students)….and we were off and running.

About a month into the program, the kids lined up for tuning, and Chris handed me his violin….devoid of all varnish (but still scratched). ….if you teach….you know his answer when I asked him what happened! "I don't know Miss Davis….I opened my case and it was just like that"!!

Now, in most cases when a student shows a total disregard for the care of their instrument, their violin days are severely numbered. But, somehow this felt different. This young boy, who was being raised by his grandmother, wasn't able to experience life the way many of the other children did. Academically, he got by…barely. But, music was important to him….he really seemed to have a goal. After elementary school, we continued lessons privately. Payment received was a commitment to daily practice and grandma's willingness to bring him to lessons. Both faithfully held their end of the bargain throughout his middle school and high school years.

Academically, graduating was a concern…but somehow, with music as his main force of energy, he turned a sophomore GPA of 1.75 into a graduating GPA of 3.25. Chris beat the odds…a full ride to Miami of Ohio in violin performance.

Each year, I invite my scholarship winners to perform their senior solo at our elementary spring concert. Chris played the 3rd movement of the Barber Violin Concerto. Following his performance, I invited grandma on stage and told her I had one parting question for Chris. With that, I asked…."so, what DID you do to that  violin in the 3rd grade?" Sheepishly he grinned, looked down and muttered "rubbing alcohol…..I was trying to get rid of the scratches and make it pretty!" And there was my answer to the meaning of life. To have the heart of a teacher is to be there in a student's life as he or she goes about "removing the scratches and making it pretty."

2nd Place Winner
Contest #3

by Megan J.

I'll never forget the empowering feeling I experienced as a child when my parents finally let me explore something unique to me and my desires: the violin. It wouldn't occur to me until my adult years how much this arena for freedom of expression allowed me to come into my sense of self.

Following the natural progression of life, I stumbled upon my passion for sharing this gift with other children who are currently where I remember being: on the helm of self-discovery.  Combining my love of the violin with my seemingly innate communication with children, I evolved into a violin teacher.

As a result of this, I have had the privilege of contributing to the lives of hundreds of children and adults in an amazingly, positive and progressive manner.  The common thread that I see among the students, particularly the young ones, is strengthening the development of self: self-esteem, self-worth, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and self-confidence.

For most of my students, the violin gives them a voice, a mark of courage, a badge of distinction among their peers and family members.  Studying the instrument creates room for exploration of self-imposed limitations, confronting fears, and accomplishing goals.  Children in my studio learn the importance of personal responsibility, overcoming set-backs, focused listening, problem solving, critical thinking and decision making.

Within the tapestry of half-steps, appoggiaturas, trills, and pizzicatos, the true masterpiece that is being polished is the developing child.  With classical music study as the basis, the largest subliminal benefit is the child's growth in every area of their life. While enjoying the sense of satisfaction when their best is presented in each lesson and performance, the violin student is likewise further equipped to face and withstand many of the challenges that life will present.  The preparation required on their part to graduate from one song to the next, will likely cross-over into the discipline required to complete tasks for other types of promotion.

I see this growth on a daily basis in each student.  It's pleasing to me as well as them to leave each lesson with a sense of well-being, purpose, mission and achievement.  No matter the challenge they are presented with, they are encouraged to believe in themselves—to know that anything is possible, they are capable, and that all they have to do is make an honest effort, giving their best each time.  The results are beautiful in both their personal and musical development.

I'm truly honored to contribute to each child's life in such a long-lasting, useful and impressionable manner.  The expression of gratitude between me, the parent and the child solidifies the satisfaction thus far with the child's journey, and joy abounds!

3rd Place Winner
Contest #3

by Susan D.

My classical strings student’s lives have been touched forever in a deep profound way. It is as if color and dimension were added to a still life sketch. I believe that coming into contact with this language of the soul has been a key in opening their minds to themselves and to an infinite number of creative possibilities. I remind my students that Einstein thought in music and credits his achievements to his experience of playing violin.  It is evident in my student’s lives that playing classical music enhances other areas of ones life also. They have learned first hand the rewards of self-discipline. They have the opportunity to experience first hand the power of music to transcend cultural barriers.

My classical string students walk taller, feel smarter, listen more keenly and are more enthusiastic about life. Playing classical music snuffs out boredom and creates potentials.

The sensitivity needed to play classical music can open the way for us to sense the needs of our neighbor. I believe that the results of these creative awakenings have the potential to create beautiful relationships that can save the planet.

As I sat down to write my response to such a simple and straightforward question, my first reaction was that coming up with a list of positive influences on my daughter’s life from participating in the classical string community would be easy! All I had to do was write down the two or three reasons why practicing and playing with the classical string community made my daughter a better person or better prepared her for the “real world.”

As I started to draft the list, something strange began to happen. The list kept going on and on from areas that strengthened her academics to time management or practice discipline to placing her in the company of other great kids. I wondered out loud to my wife, “What should I spend time to articulate?” when there were so many areas that made sense.

I could talk about how learning to decode music in either treble or bass clef enables someone to practice decoding symbols within a pattern and translate them to a particular action – just like many computer skills. I would add that learning music has been tied to better mathematics scores and greater success at the collegiate level of academics.

Or perhaps, I would discuss how the daily routine of practicing her cello has given my daughter a better appreciation for time management; allocating time each day to school, homework, practice and home chores. This ability to give time each day to priorities is a life long skill that many adults would love to strengthen.

Possibly, I could talk about how the classical string community seems to attract the most wonderful kids; sensitive, outgoing, articulate students of music that enjoy their time in orchestra and often get together socially outside of orchestra. In the string community, students understand that each has a place in the orchestra with a different voice, some even with different parts within the same instrument group. Yet it is the sum of all the parts that makes what they are doing sound special. And this appreciation takes the focus away from individual accomplishment to the accomplishment of the group – another great life lesson.

However, all the discussion about the future misses the most important reason why I want my daughter to be part of the classical string community –for the look of JOY on her face when I see her after her practices and concerts!  In a time when so many young adults are hyper-focused upon their differences: what others think of their appearance, their behavior, their friends, their cars, their phones and so forth, here is a solitary time in their schedule when as a group, they are focused on the beauty of those differences, the harmony of music made together, the joy of re-creating what so many string students have made in the past.

Life is experience. Dull experiences make for a boring life. Rich experiences that challenge, engage, and inspire make a life worth living. Classical stings is bountiful in many ways:  the child acquires the skill to play the instrument, listens to and reads music that has been composed with meticulous care, interacts with peers to perform in ensembles, all the while conversing with the giants of the Western musical heritage. Other artists like Shakespeare and Picasso do not lend themselves to such ready participation by youngsters. A Bach minuet is immediately accessible to a child in a way that a sonnet or sculpture is not.

Music taps into a reservoir in one’s soul that is another language, as expressive as our spoken tongue. Fluency in this musical language enhances one’s ability to communicate with others, including those whose native language is different. It is one of the mysteries of music that Bach and his peers speak across linguistic barriers with an ease that will never be afforded non-native speakers. One may never be able to do a crossword in German, Italian, or Japanese. But, playing a Mozart Sting Quartets with a German, Italian, and Japanese is easily managed.

Children should be encouraged to embrace this world. What is the alternative? The public environment where our children live is ghastly: TV, movies, magazine, radio, hip-hop culture, professional athletics. The norm is degradation and lawlessness, and our society glorifies it. Classical strings can open doors to children that will help them glimpse their potential as human beings.

I also embrace classical strings for my child for selfish reasons – it is good for me. What promotes appreciation for excellence and growth in a child is also available to the parent.  It has the added benefit of giving me an avenue of interaction with my child that is selective, and not widely shared with his or her peers in school and sports. It highlights our familial relation.

And when the children become adults, if they still play, it is a gift that can be carried throughout life and shared with others, sometimes in the most unlikely places. My collegian daughter is a counselor at a wilderness camp on the Canadian border. She brought her violin with her this past summer. And there, amid the backpacks, canoes, hiking boots, camp stoves, tents, and dehydrated food, the sound of duets could be heard above the dinner bell. That is a sound that is hard to top.

Some people might say my 12-year old son is all strung out. Three of his favorite pastimes—playing tennis, violin, and viola—involve strings. And at times I wonder if he is stringing me along with some of the stories he tells, and I know he occasionally pulls strings to get his way. However, I prefer to view his penchant for strings as the tie that binds his world together and gives meaning to his life.

My son’s enthusiasm for music grew exponentially the moment he began putting bow to strings. He has advanced from creating the squeaky sounds of a beginning violinist to improvising his own harmonies as he plays along with a Suzuki CD. His music teachers have fostered not just knowledge of but also an appreciation for classical music, and this enriches his life.

If there were no other benefits from his music lessons than simply appreciating music, I would be satisfied. But playing classical strings has provided much more, including the opportunity for my son to participate in small chamber ensembles of four to fifteen youth, as well as in a large orchestra with over 100 members. The cooperation and teamwork skills necessary in these pursuits are great lessons to learn. Goals are shared, focus is required, unity is vital; what amazing skills to acquire as a youth!

Perhaps even more important from my son’s perspective is the social aspect; he loves spending time with his fellow musicians. They talk and laugh about their common interests and jam on their instruments, often trying to “out-play” one another in a fun way.  Meaningful friendships are built where shared values and a deep appreciation for their music is the foundation.

Being part of a classical string community gives my son a safe, positive place to be where individualism (and even quirkiness) is valued. My son has experienced a support system within the musical community of both youth and adults that is steadfast and abiding. At the same time, he cavorts with creative, intelligent, stimulating people who also have their share of zany and outrageous moments! This perfectly suits my son’s personality and gives him a place to fit in and belong, which in turn, helps him to resist negative peer pressure. Enthusiastically anticipating every rehearsal, master class, recital, and symphony concert, my son thrives on time spent with other musicians and is energized by each encounter.

My son has a strong desire to remain an active participant in the classical strings community, where his talent and love of music will continue to be nurtured. His string of activities in the music world keeps me running, but the benefits he derives, especially the acceptance he receives with no strings attached, make it worthwhile!

My grandmother warned me that, from the moment I became a mother, I would worry about my children until the day I died.  As parents, we worry about the choices our children make and about what kind of people they will grow up to be. Personally, as a mother, I worry much less about my children's futures because they are involved in the classical community.

One of the choices that is typically of concern for parents is who their children will choose to spend time with. I have found that in this circle, the friends they associate with are encouraging to them, both to perform with and to perform for. They are constantly building each other up and helping each other to move forward in their individual abilities.

Another area in which I want the best for my children is education. I have found that the discipline needed to learn a string instrument serves them well. They have learned to study, work hard, set goals, and accomplish what most kids their age won't even attempt. They have learned to recognize the classics not only in music, but also in literature. They have learned to set high standards for themselves in music and in academics and have gained the confidence that they can achieve what they set out to accomplish.

Because of their training in classical music, they spend their time on elevated things rather than becoming immersed in the pop culture that is prevalent today. They have learned at an early age to experience a deeper meaning in their lives and a better understanding of who they are and what they can do. They have learned to do something well, which in turn provides them with great satisfaction. How much worrying can you do over a child that spends their free time studying the classics?

To be a part of a classical string community is to belong.   It matters not whether you are rich or poor, from where you come, or to where you are heading in life.  The classical music community embraces each and every one of its members.  It beckons them in, quietly calling out in a language unique to them individually, but when spoken together touches all of mankind.

Each and every time I attend a concert, I am in awe not only of the talent, but of the passion and of the desire that these kids have to play classical music.  Kids of all ages, races and backgrounds, who are there because they want to be there, and they enjoy playing the music, and they feel the passion of what it is like to be a part of something that together is greater than all of us independently.

We are a military family, constantly moving, our lives constantly changing.  What never changes is my son’s ability to fit in wherever we go because of the language of music.  He is a violist.  Gifted, but more importantly, fluent in the language.  My son was introduced to the viola in the U.S., and immediately fell in love with it.  We moved to Asia and I wondered how he would be able to continue to study the viola in a foreign land.  His teacher assured me, “Don’t worry, the language of music has no boundaries and it can be taught as well as learned with very few words.” As I listen to my son and his new teacher each week in our dining room, I believe what his previous teacher told me to be true.  She speaks very little English, and my son speaks even less Korean, but together they speak a language in which its beauty brings tears to my eyes each and every lesson.

I am comforted by the knowledge that when we move again next year, possibly to Germany or to Italy this time, he will already know the language of music.  I am confident that I will again find a private teacher, as well as a youth orchestra that will welcome him in, as eager to learn from him as he from them, and he will once again belong.  Wherever life takes us, I will never, ever have to worry about my son as long as he has music in his life. He will always belong where there is a classical string community and thankfully, there is always a classical string community.

It is no secret that classical music whether it is from the score of your favorite movie, ballet, or opera has a very special way of pulling at your heartstrings. Both the familiar and unfamiliar can reach the depths of the soul and pull one into a world completely directed by the music. Each instrument and its unique sound are equally relevant. The artists are completely dedicated to playing their part at their fullest ability to provide the best performance possible. Trust is an essential component to this community as each member must be trustworthy as they place their own trust in the other musicians surrounding them. This produces an enormous artistic and intellectual bond. A bond so strong it is sometimes difficult to separate even the simplest of sounds, notes or instrumental sections. This is true as my children always have a favorite instrument selected just before attending a symphony performance, however they can never seem to make a definitive choice directly afterwards feeling as if choosing just one will somehow betray all the other instruments in the orchestral family.

The classical string community is a wonderful place for children to be a part of as it provides an education that goes well beyond the perimeters of just learning how to play an instrument. It teaches self-discipline, self-motivation, focus, and perhaps most importantly, teamwork. It is a community that truly instills values and respect not only for talents and gifts, but also for its rich history and exciting future. One of my children is a beginning viola student and I enjoy watching him utilize problem-solving skills to conquer challenging sequences. There is a sense of accomplishment that is felt after doing well due to practicing and studying that is unmeasurable. Passion, technique and the art of sharing one’s gift all represent why I want my children to be a part of this enriched community. Studying a classical string instrument has the ability to provide performance longevity, creativity and diversability throughout one’s life as they determine who they are as an artist as well as a human being.

The instructors of the string community are as inspiring as the music they teach, and often play in the symphonies of which that are a part. I love to watch the respectful interaction of my son and his viola instructor. Although there are many years that separate them, they are always on one accord during each and every lesson and performance. This community is ageless and continues to engage all generations into the art and intellect of classical music.

We will continue to fill our home and lives with classical music, as we believe its lessons parallel with many of those in everyday life. It is our hope that our children will grow and mature to do the same with their children and others around them, for it is truly something special to share.

I want my child to be part of the classical string community in order to give her a magical portal that will slowly reveal a world of joy, opportunities and challenges.  I like the fact that almost any child can enter through the magical string portal and participate; it doesn’t matter if a child is short or tall, thin or stout.  I believe that what is mainly needed is enthusiasm, and the willingness to spend some focused time to work with a teacher and practice.

I want my child to be a part of the classical string community because the experience of playing in an orchestra gives my daughter a new setting in which to learn teamwork, take pride in her own work, and even make new friends.  Still in elementary school, my child had the opportunity this year to perform at Alice Tully Hall in new York City’s Lincoln Center, at a Mozart festival in a county park, and with other children from across our country in a string festival.  There are few other activities that offer such a great variety of opportunity.

I want my child to be a part of the classical string community because my child is learning how to present herself and perform in am audition setting.  Audition skills will transfer across subject areas to help my child understand what is needed of her as she is asked to make presentations throughout elementary, middle, and high school, in college, and even in job interviews.

Learning to properly play a string instrument certainly presents challenges to my child, but the rewards that come with it continue to grow larger each and every year she studies.  Playing a string instrument elevates my child’s mind and enriches her soul and I can think of no better gift to give my daughter than encouraging her to open the portal that leads to her niche in the string community!

It is bright and early on a Saturday morning. Instead of lazing in bed with my morning cup of mocha and newspaper, I am watching a youth orchestra rehearse "Shepherd's Hey" by P. A. Grainger.  My daughter is second chair in the second violin section. The children play the same three difficult measures at least a couple of dozen times, first section by section and then altogether, before reaching the exacting level of perfection the conductor demands. The musicians' energy crescendos poco a poco as they raise their level of playing with every repetition. When they finally hit the mark, the atmosphere is electric!

It is an experience that once again epitomizes for me the benefits of participation in a classical string orchestra. Being part of such a vibrant community gives children an unparalleled opportunity to develop both as an individual and as a member of a team.

Youngsters playing Bach, Beethoven and Brahms march to the beat of a different drummer. In the process of learning their instrument and the music, they master many core life skills including perseverance, patience, continuous improvement, and even the ethereal idea of perfection. This mastery in turn bolsters their self-esteem.

When young musicians progress to playing together as an ensemble, they start living and breathing in a unique team-building environment devoid of competitive pressures typical of other team activities such as sports. In most situations, the musician is competing in fact against himself or herself. The end goal is to contribute individual musical excellence towards the combined effect that only an orchestra can produce for an audience.

Young children feel they are not as good as their parents or other adults who are bigger, stronger, and more experienced than themselves.
When a parent learns to play an instrument, children get to witness those all-powerful, all-knowing adults face the trials and tribulations integral to the learning process. Children invariably progress at a faster rate than their parents due to their inherent ability to absorb new skills. No wonder then that, when a parent is motivated enough by the child's ensemble experience to join an adult orchestra, he or she will likely have their child expound generously to them the merits of paying attention to the conductor.

In the final analysis, the energizing group experience and positive peer pressure resulting from it are what motivate parents and children alike to enjoy participation in the classical string community.
Instead of asking for the latest Nintendo Wii out this month, my 9-year old girl wants a double bass and my 7-year old son an electric guitar! As for me, after five long years of starting to learn the instrument—around the same time as my daughter who is confidently marching towards Suzuki Violin Book 5 —, I hope to finally start on the seventh song in Book 1 before the year is out. Wish me luck.