Musicians Share Their Passion With Local Students

Musicians Share Their Passion With Local Students
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SHOWELL – Musicians from the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra shared their love of music with local students during programs at Showell and Ocean City elementary schools last week.

Last Monday musicians Terry and Laurel Ewell visited kindergarten and first grade students at Showell and Ocean City elementary schools. The visit was part of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Introduce an Instrument program, which is designed to expose children to music and get them excited about it.

“It encourages kids,” said JoFran Falcon, vice president of education and outreach for the MSO.

Terry Ewell, who plays the bassoon for the MSO, and Laurel Ewell, who plays the flute, kicked off the visit by performing a song together. While the children in the audience might not have seen a bassoon, or a flute, prior to Monday’s visit, all it took was a rendition of Frozen’s Let It Go to make them eager fans.

“It’s always fun to see the joy on the students’ faces,” Terry Ewell said.

To further enhance the experience, the musicians gave students the opportunity to try playing each instrument. They were impressed with the variety of sounds the children were able to produce in just their first attempts.

“They did really well,” Terry Ewell said. “I’m surprised we got sound out.”

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JoFran Falcon helps Beatriz Beretta practice for playing the flute with a Coca-Cola bottle.

Though the MSO typically offers the Introduce an Instrument program to older students, generally those in third and fourth grade, the Ewells said the younger children proved just as interested. They’re hopeful the experience will stay with the students and inspire them to learn to play.

“It puts a seed in their mind,” Laurel Ewell said.

Falcon agreed and said the program, sponsored by Frankford, Del. resident Michael Jahnigen, was meant to help children develop an appreciation for music. Terry Ewell agreed.

“With the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra it’s important to develop a future audience and for students to know the musical instruments,” he said.

Music teacher Bethany Pugner said the students “thoroughly enjoyed” the visit from the musicians.

“The instrumental program was a wonderful experience for my students because many had not seen the instruments performed live before,” she said. “They were captivated by the music and are learning to appreciate the gift of music.”

About The Author: Charlene Sharpe

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Charlene Sharpe has been with The Dispatch since 2014. A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and the University of Richmond, she spent seven years with the Delmarva Media Group before joining the team at The Dispatch.