Inspiring sounds Inspiring sounds (February 06, 2004)

Youth orchestra opens opportunities for young musicians
by Teresa C. Brown

Serenades and concertos by Handel, Ravel, Bach and Brahms are in the air, and it is a sound of inspiration as students from elementary through high school perform in the Tri-Valley Youth Orchestra. The orchestra is part of the Pacific Chamber Symphony program for young musicians in Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin.

Launching the orchestra about two-and-a-half years ago, Lawrence Kohl, conductor of the Pacific Chamber Symphony, said the program was started because there was an interest. "Parents wanted something here," he said, adding that having a youth orchestra raises artistic standards and interest in the Tri-Valley.

"It ties together the whole community," said Kohl, "and one benefit is that students get to see what other schools are doing in their area."

With about 60 students in grades 3-12 in one of two ensembles, the orchestra provides students with opportunities for performance experience with guidance from professional musicians.

"The string ensemble is for those who need to get their feet wet in an ensemble," Kohl said, explaining that these students do not have enough experience to play in the full orchestra of the second ensemble.

All of the students who join the orchestra have some level of instruction. "We're not training from zero," he explained.

The students practice weekly after school. Through the season, they will perform five or six concerts under the direction of the principal conductor Zachary Carrettin and with the help of coach William Skeen. Plus they will perform with the Pacific Chamber Symphony.

The next youth performance will be Sunday, Feb. 8, when the students will perform their Winter Concert, the third performance this season, Kohl said. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Church, 678 Enos, Livermore. Although it is free, donations of $5 are suggested to help defray the orchestra's expenses.

One goal of the orchestra is instilling an appreciation of music.

"There's something about learning, working with people to produce something together, and feeling good," Kohl said, adding that it involves all of the right things socially, emotionally and to instill self-confidence.

Every student receives a season family pass for the Pacific Chamber Symphony concerts, Kohl said. "It's important that they are not just playing instruments, but they get inspired by professionals," he noted.

With the blessing of the school district, the symphony has stepped up its involvement in introducing classical music to students in Pleasanton through the development of a comprehensive program that brings both musicians and the maestro into the classroom.

Throughout January, February and March, a quintet of a flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin and cello will perform at each elementary school. Kohl follows up the performance with a "Maestro Visit" to third-grade students.

"The theme is acoustics," Kohl said, explaining, "I'm re-enforcing the concept introduced to them and I'm helping them articulate what they like about the instruments."

Kohl keeps the small group visits informal. Rather than fielding questions from the students, he poses questions to them to help them learn how sound is produced and why small instruments play high notes and big instruments play low notes. By posing questions to the students and helping them work through to the answers, Kohl said, "They begin to see how (acoustics) works."

In addition to the quintet and the Maestro visits, every student in Pleasanton will also have an opportunity to see a full orchestra concert by the end of the March.

Kohl, who has been involved in numerous student orchestra programs throughout the years, has seen the rewards of reaching out to children through the symphony. "There's a couple I know planning to go on and major in music," he said.

"My vision is that there is tremendous potential on a macro level to spur music throughout the Tri-Valley by having a group kids can play in and raise the visibility of music and music education," he continued.

"On a micro level, it's the possibility to have an impact on a family of individuals, playing in an ensemble, meeting individuals. It's a way a group can have a real impact."

It is about inspiration and sparking the next generation's love for music.

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