Creativity, Orchestra & STEAM
We are excited to feature Bridget Long, District Magnet Lead for the Clayton County Public Schools. We interviewed her after an innovative project to put box violins in the hands of 100 4th graders at Kay Pace Elementary School of the Arts to integrate the arts, STEAM, and to recruit for 6th grade orchestra programs.
Bridget, what gave you the idea to launch this innovative project to utilize StringRise’s buildable DIY Box Violin Kits for the students at Kay Pace Elementary?
Bridget Long:
I saw StringRise products on Instagram featured by Dr. Annalisa Chang at Clayton State University. It piqued my interest, and as I was looking around your website for your buildable kits and the community partnerships you offered, I realized it would be an innovative way to combine STEAM and orchestra to 4th graders.
That’s amazing! Why was fourth grade the target age for this project?
Bridget Long:
The students at Pace School of the Arts make decisions to choose where they will go in middle school in the Fall of 5th grade. Many choose to continue on the Visual and Performing Arts magnet pathway by auditioning for the fine arts middle school, but they often get less exposure to string instruments and classical music. Students participate in a school-wide musical which gives them more experience in musical theater and dance. Band has had a slight advantage because they offer a beginning after school program, but largely strings have been the most challenging to recruit.
What activities did you do with the 4th graders on the box violins to increase retention going into 6th grade?
Bridget Long:
The students built box violins in a group setting, and were given a QR code for 11 free lessons through StringRise they could scan at home. We invited the middle feeder orchestra to perform for the students and participate with Q&A. We have hopes of doing a play-along with the box violin alongside the orchestra in the future to help create an experience of the students getting the feeling of making music in an orchestra. The elementary and middle school are unique because they share a building. We did the project in March and the orchestra director stated that for the rest of the school year, students would see him in the hallway and talk about joining orchestra in the future. We look forward to seeing how the numbers increase once the 4th graders reach 6th grade.
What do you believe sets string education apart from other arts disciplines?
Bridget Long:
Playing a string instrument is not easy, and it takes a lot of determination and perseverance. You have to keep working even when you do not get instant gratification- it’s not as simple as pushing a button and getting sound. Students have to develop their ear, build strength in their fingers, arms, and think about their posture. The smallest change in finger weight or tilt of the hand can change the pitch the student is trying to play. Beginning string students can sound amazing from the start, but it requires a good foundation and patience.