FCA plans used instrument drive to help band members practice
It's every music teacher's dream.
The string program at O'Hara Elementary School drummed up interest from almost twice as many students in the past two years. Classes, for pupils in third through fifth grades, have jumped from 120 to 212 enrollees.
"There are more kids starting and more kids sticking with it," said Shawn Funk, chairman of the district's music department.
Enter the problem of supply and demand. Instruments, which are required to be purchased or rented by every child in the program, are expensive. Some cost $25 to $60 each month to rent.
"I don't ever want a child who wants to be in band to not be able to because of money," Funk said.
He and orchestra director Mairi Thompson are spearheading a used instrument drive Saturday to collect forgotten pieces no longer being enjoyed by district residents.
The instruments would be owned by the school but lent to students to use. Funk would be especially jazzed to receive larger instruments like cellos or tubas because students studying those pieces often need to rent two.
"You can't really shlep them back and forth," he said. "You have to have one at home to practice and one at school for performance."
Any used instrument will be accepted, including flutes, violins, tubas, cellos and horns. String instruments are becoming a higher demand since there are an all-time high number of students, 57, enrolled in the high school orchestra.
"It's the largest in my tenure," said Funk, a teacher for 13 years at the district.
The elementary school recently partnered with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to offer the "Young String Players Club." The educational outreach is an extra incentive for students to participate in the music program, a vital part of the curriculum, according to a 1998 study by the Pittsburgh Public Schools. A report requested by the Pittsburgh Music Advocacy Group showed that students with three or more years of music courses achieved a 5.3 percent higher graduation rate and a .56 higher grade-point average than non-music students.
Instruments donated will be used by students in grades 3 through 12.
Funk said more students are becoming in-tune with the band because of the top-notch high school program. A strong showing by the older students is the best recruitment, he said.
For example, the Marching Foxes captured several wins last year at competitions hosted by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association. And, the string students captured the attention of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, who last week sent Violinist Gil Shaham for a lesson with master's students from the high school and a demonstration for students at O'Hara Elementary.
"Our marching band is more visible. Kids see that and parents see that," Funk said.
Additional Information:
Coming up
What: Used instrument drive.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Fox Chapel Area High School band room, Field Club Road.
Note: Anyone who donates will be eligible to win CDs and concert tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They also will receive an instrument appraisal to be used as a tax write-off.
Details: 412-967-2400, ext. 4018.
