Prepatory music brings young talent to campus

Photo by Josiah Garber

Students practice a piece for the Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony, part of the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program, held on the EMU campus. The symphony is one of several music programs in which students can participate. Other opportunities include private lessons, the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, and the Musikgarten class for children from birth to age six.

Some of the hardest-working musicians on the EMU campus aren’t even in college yet.

The Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program, introduced to the EMU music department in 1988, is intended to provide opportunities for young children to participate in a variety of musical areas.

The program includes private instrument instruction, the Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony, the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, and Musikgarten (a program for children from birth to six years). The private instruction concentrations include piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, and harp.

Sharon Miller, director of the Preparatory Music Program since 1993, states her appreciation of the opportunities provided for kids within the community. "Without this program, there would be no opportunity for children in the Harrisonburg community to learn string instruments. There are no programs in the area school systems at all."

While private lessons and instruments are expensive investments, the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program receives donations that enable them to present $4500 in scholarships each year.

Miller said, "While we do expect families to contribute to cost, we also understand the expense. Most of the students participating on campus are able to afford lessons."

Presently, a pilot program is branching off campus to students who are unable to finance an instrument. An outreach at Stone Springs Elementary School offers violin lessons after school. The program provides the instrument and the lessons, so the families only pay a minimal commitment fee.

"We’re trying to reach out to lower income, multi-racial students who might not have the same opportunity. Once again, we are able to do this financially because of grants and donations," said the director.

These opportunities provide students with musical foundations that a majority of them will pursue later in life. Sharon Miller stresses the importance and life-changing benefits of preparatory music.

"Many of our students have gone to college and graduate school for music and are music teachers or performers. Some even have kids of their own who participate in music programs."

Sophomore Carol Buhrman plays saxophone in EMU’s wind ensemble. She believes that a "strong foundation in music at an early age definitely increases the likelihood of pursuing music throughout the rest of your life. I think it’s really important."

The Musikgarten helps young children, toddlers, and even babies feel more confident with music through a variety of activities, games, and instrument playing. Lessons are in interactive group settings.

The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir is composed of about 200 members divided into four groups arranged by age and voice capabilities. The choir tours and accepts children by audition. The choir, currently under the direction of Julia White, has recently released a new CD, Winds of Peace.

Although the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program does not travel, it holds several concerts and recitals throughout the year. The program’s teachers and instructors will give a recital featuring violin, organ, piano, and guitar this Sunday, Feb. 15, at 5 p.m. in Martin Chapel. Next Sunday, Feb. 22, the Senior Preparatory Program will hold a recital at 5 p.m. in Martin Chapel. It will consist mainly of teens, and promises to be an evening of delightful music.