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Part of the Music Discovery Experience created for the School District of Lancaster!
Traveling instrument petting zoos surround the Music Discovery performances and are presented at the District’s thirteen elementary schools. In these interactive sessions, wind, brass, and string instruments are demonstrated, after which the third-graders have the opportunity to play each instrument. Music educators also observe and guide the students in order to understand the natural musical aptitude of each child.
This preliminary exposure and contact with actual instruments helps increase the likelihood that the student will choose the instrument that will best enable them to have a long-term positive musical experience.
At the start of a new school year, the Symphony's Gift of Music program lends new and gently-used instruments to students who cannot afford to buy or rent one of their own. When borrowing an instrument, each child signs a contract promising to care for the instrument, practice regularly, and participate in their school’s band/orchestra. The Symphony assumes maintenance and repair of all instruments.
At the end of the school year, instruments are collected, repaired, and restocked making them ready for the coming school year! Students may borrow an instrument for as long as needed.
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The instrument petting zoos begin with a
demonstration of each instrument. During the demo,
the students learn how sound is produced
on each instrument. |
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Janinie Thomas, principal clarinetist for the
Lancaster Symphony, demonstrated the
members of the wind family.
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Dwight Weaver from the Music and Arts
store across from Park City demonstrated
the brass family.
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Former violinist with the Lancaster Symphony
and Director of Education, Nancy LeVasseur,
demonstrated the violin and viola.
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After the demonstrations, the students
visit each family of instruments and play
the instrument they would like to learn
in fourth grade.
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Music educators also observe and
guide the students in
order to understand
the natural musical aptitude of each child.
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This preliminary exposure to and contact
with actual instruments helps increase the
likelihood that the student will choose the
instrument that will best enable them to
have a long-term positive musical experience.
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“The instrument petting zoo that came to King
after the performance was wonderful and
very helpful for me to understand
my students’ skills and abilities.
(Music educator, King Elementary)
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"In previous years, my trombone player
(using my school-owned trombone) is
usually a student that was on the waiting
list for other instruments who I ultimately convince
to try trombone. This year my trombone player
entered the year certain that
trombone was for him (and his first choice)
since he got to know what it was at the
petting zoo last year."
(Mike Slechta, Washington Elementary)
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"The trend here is that there are fewer parents
able to spend money on instruments to give
children the opportunity. As usual, many
students choose flutes, saxes and violins. I
am happy to have some diversity with the
oboe and French horn you provided along
with the other instruments you dropped off.
Thank you so much!"
(Susan Flemming, Buchanan Elementary)
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"My enrollment this year went from 43 to 62 students
in instrumental lessons. The petting zoos really helped
students to see what instruments are out there and
what they sound like. The best part of the petting
zoo was the students trying out the instruments.
It was great to see their faces light up when they
produced a sound"
(Alicia Brackbill, Price Elementary)
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Open Rehearsals with Lido
Music Discovery Experience
Symphonic Concert for Children
Instrumental Competition and Scholarship
Gift of Music
Master Classes
Educational Resources
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Last updated Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 4:38:46 PM
Nancy LeVasseur, Web Content Manager
©2005 - 2008 Lancaster Symphony Orchestra
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