Friday, June 26, 2009
Musical group gives students a boost
Margaret Courtney. —Photo by Priscilla Richardson, special to The Botetourt View
Priscilla Richardson is columnist The Botetourt View. You can contact her at 981-3430 or via e-mail.
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Bet you didn't know that students who study performing music, or even music appreciation, get higher scores on their SOL's and SAT's (Scholastic Aptitude Tests). How about that? Studying music also helps students learn math and science and helps them use creativity in their studies and lives. Then to top it all off, playing or singing in groups, such as band, chorus, or Consort, gives students self-esteem, good social skills and responsibility to others.
And you thought music in the schools was just something nice instead of a key building block for kids.
Of course, who does the music teaching then becomes important. Botetourt's Greenfield Elementary has Margaret Courtney. A music teacher who performs as well as teaches, she labors long hours to perfect her skills on the recorder. And she shares her expertise with students in an after-school activity called Consort, a group of recorder players.
Hollins' Courtney starts kindergardeners through grade 2 with singing, dancing, and using simple Orf instruments. "This is preparation in simple songs, general appreciation and enjoyment of music," she said. "They get a hold on pitch and rhythms, so that by grade 3 they're starting to read music notation and play a real instrument such as the recorder. I do the soprano recorder because it's small and easily manipulated by a child.
"Then, depending on expertise, if they're part of Consort, I order them an alto [larger] instrument and then last year I started adding tenor instruments. This year we had 16 players. These are fourth- and fifth-graders. I cannot believe they're doing this."
The time commitment for the players includes a rehearsal each week through the school year. At the start of the summer vacation, "I assign an instrument. I have ordered a methods book ready for the child and parent to pick up to use over the summer. So the children show up already learning their instrument." In the fall, different instruments start on ensemble work.
To add to the appeal, Courtney offers challenges. Students can earn a gold, silver, bronze or black belt. "I use a method with different levels. We start with 'Row, row, row your boat.' Then go to a second song. Each song teaches a new skill. When they finally reach black belt, then they have the skills to join Consort."
After Consort, they can go on to participate in band at middle school. Will Divers, one of the band teachers, has come to Greenfield to talk to some of the band members he'll be getting. Consort members already know how to read music, making their entry into band that much easier.
Courtney, just finishing her third year with Consort, taught in Roanoke city schools for ten years before Greenfield. After majoring in music in college, she got another degree in music education. Then, a master of arts in liberal studies from Hollins. Locally, she performs with harpist Whitney Dobyns.
Her current focus on the recorder made her decide to study alto as well as soprano recorder. She drove to Charlottesville once a month for her own instruction, as the alto instrument has different fingering and technique from the soprano.
Courtney applied for, and much to her surprise, got a scholarship to an American Recorder Society workshop this summer. In addition, she received another scholarship from the Botetourt school system. She'll work on early and Baroque era music and its special demands.
When she comes back, she'll be able to pass on better techniques, also improve her teaching style. Lucky the child who studies and works with her at Greenfield.
