Last week, around 200 people gathered in the lovely Morningside Baptist Church in Pittsfield to hear all three Kids 4 Harmony ensembles play. With light pouring in from the elaborate stained glass windows, the setting was perfect for 43 children to perform works by Bartok, Beethoven, Mahler and two different Bachs, as well as classic folk tunes such as Day-O!
Here is a breakdown:
The concert started off with the Intermediate Ensemble, which consists of 18 children from grades one through six. Most of them have been playing under a year. In the first piece, a Beethoven bagatelle transcribed for strings, the kids demonstrated strong, passionate playing, including dynamics and careful bowing. For anyone who saw these kids begin in September with songs like Hot Cross Buns and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, their playing now is practically a miracle.
Next up was the Beginning Ensemble, with 11 kindergarteners and one first grader. What was most touching was how much fun they were having. They showed off their sense of rhythm, playing along to Day-O on their violins, dancing, and smiling. Joy is an amazing motivator, and we can look forward to these children becoming incredible musicians themselves.
When people are enjoying themselves, amazing things happen. Alicia Stevenson, the Artistic Director, led all 43 children in a huge song and drumming routine, and the joy reverberated around the chapel. One could not help but feel that these children are Pittsfield's greatest ambassadors; young lives that will reach out and achieve greatness.
In the second half of the concert, the student string quartet played two pieces. These four children promised success to the rest of the group. They played their difficult music with precision and focus, and a subtle satisfaction. For three of the four, this would be their last performance as Kids 4 Harmony students; they will graduate 5th grade, and return for the summer program as mentors.
The children and audience then got to hear a string trio comprised of faculty from the Berkshire Music School play Pachelbel's Cannon. Not many children get to hear professional performances; the students were understandably riveted by the performance.
Finally, the Advanced Ensemble played three numbers, including arrangements of symphonies by Brahms and Mahler.
It's one thing to read about the concert, and another thing to hear and see it. The most impressive thing, though, is to experience it, every day. For example, the twelve players in the Advanced Ensemble are made up of children grades two through six. Some of the children have been playing the shortest of any in the program - less than six months. Others have been with us since January of 2012. All of them play music written for players several years older than they are.
At the end, the children got thunderous applause and warm smiles. Family and friends poured in to offer congratulations and bouquets. The Berkshire Music School Trio, qualified teachers, expressed their amazement at the skill of the kids.
This concert was important for our kids. The students of Kids 4 Harmony work five afternoons a week with rarely any breaks. These rehearsals need focused attention and energy. Practicing an instrument for hours is mentally and physically exhausting; add this on to their schoolwork and homework. It's hard to imagine how hard they're working! Yet in the midst of this intensive practice, they are finding their own discipline, peace and joy.
People so wise as to enjoy their work should be celebrated. This concert did just that. Playing stringed instruments is one of the hardest disciplines in the world, and one by one, the students of Kids 4 Harmony prove that they are up to the challenge.
An El Sistema inspired program of social change through music
The First Annual Greater Boston El Sistema ShowcaseL Part 2
At 10:00 on Tuesday morning, the Maestro performed for our preschool choir, the Sunshine Singers. They were riveted by his violin playing! We jammed with him for a while, and he taught Courtney some new pieces. Then, we went for a beautiful picnic on Pontoosuc Lake:
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| Our guest got to see perfect Berkshire weather... |
After lots of rehearsal and a casual concert on Friday, we were ready to hit the streets of Boston. When we got there, it was sunny and hot. We found Berkeley Street right away; as soon as we stepped into the Benjamin Franklin Institute, we were swept away the the excitement of hundreds of children, most of them with instruments in hand, walking back and forth.
The first concert was a resounding triumph. Kids 4 Harmony gave just one of eight fantastic mini-concerts.
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| Performing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik |
The magic happened when all 200+ performers played together, under the direction of a Venezuelan master teacher. The huge orchestra, comprised of people ages 5 to 18, got a giant encore.
The second concert featured the Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra along with the Conservatory Lab Charter School's Dudamel Orchestra, that program's highest level.
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| The Boston Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ben Zander |
After all this excitement, we were worn out. We left for Boston at 10:00; we got home by 11. It was a full day of excitement, fun and learning.
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| Johan playing with the BPYO |
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| Sarah learning Lord of the Rings from her stand partner, during warm-ups |
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| Leila playing with the BPYO |
First Annual El Sistema Greater Boston Showcase
On Saturday, Kids 4 Harmony joined seven other programs plus the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, to perform in two concerts at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston.
How do you prepare for a historic event like this? Practice, preferably led by one of the best violin teachers in Venezuela!
This is Maestro Francisco Diaz. He was Gustavo Dudamel's violin teacher, as well as the director of a violin school (click here to visit his school's web site). According to several people we talked to, there is a dispute as to whether he is the best or simply the second best violin teacher in the country of Venezuela.
Maestro Diaz, despite not speaking much English, communicated to the kids clearly. His teaching style was firm and loud, in contrast to his warm personality and his quick smile. It did help that many of the children in the program speak fluent Spanish - Johan, grade 6, served as the maestro's translator.
Maestro Diaz even had a chance to hear our teacher Courtney Getzin play, and gave her the highest of compliments, saying that there are people who practice every day for years and never achieve her level of skill.
Needless to say they were a dynamic teaching duo. Maestro Diaz showed our kids some expert violin technique, and left us with sound advice: "Look for the silence in between the notes."
It was a beautiful, eventful day with the master.
Check back tomorrow to hear about the festival...
How do you prepare for a historic event like this? Practice, preferably led by one of the best violin teachers in Venezuela!
This is Maestro Francisco Diaz. He was Gustavo Dudamel's violin teacher, as well as the director of a violin school (click here to visit his school's web site). According to several people we talked to, there is a dispute as to whether he is the best or simply the second best violin teacher in the country of Venezuela.
Maestro Diaz, despite not speaking much English, communicated to the kids clearly. His teaching style was firm and loud, in contrast to his warm personality and his quick smile. It did help that many of the children in the program speak fluent Spanish - Johan, grade 6, served as the maestro's translator.
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| Courtney and Maestro Diaz team-teaching |
Needless to say they were a dynamic teaching duo. Maestro Diaz showed our kids some expert violin technique, and left us with sound advice: "Look for the silence in between the notes."
It was a beautiful, eventful day with the master.
Check back tomorrow to hear about the festival...
3rd Thursday Performance!
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| Courtney Getzin leads the advanced ensemble |
This was the scene for yesterday's performance: a clear blue sky, warm, with a windy breeze. We set up at the beautiful archway at Palace Park and started playing!
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| The crowd at our performance |
In the crowd there were lots of friends, family members and children from other groups there to see our concert. It's all about support: we rely on the community to support our kids!
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| Armani Bedford leading the group |
Leadership is an important part of any community, and an orchestra is no different. There were three student leaders at the concert yesterday who served as mature role models for the rest of the group.
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| The crowd: supportive and appreciative |
The Pittsfield community has embraced Kids 4 Harmony on every level. Volunteers, longtime supporters and passerbys came together to see and hear the kids yesterday. One only had to look into the crowd to see how much this group of children means to out community. Thank you, Pittsfield!
Third Thursday Performance
Kids 4 Harmony will be performing at the May 16th 3rd Thursday event, in Pittsfield! The location is Palace Park, halfway up North Street, on the bandstand! Festivities begin at 5pm, though we will not be performing until after 6:00.
El Sistema Greater Boston Spring Showcase
Kids 4 Harmony's Advanced Ensemble will join seven other East Coast El Sistema programs to be a part of the El
Sistema Greater Boston Spring Showcase on Saturday, June 1.
The event will include a public concert at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology at 3:00, where students from each program will perform both separately and together.
The event will include a public concert at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology at 3:00, where students from each program will perform both separately and together.
If you haven't seen El Sistema in action, this event will be a breathtaking introduction to the power with which these children can play. It will be a celebration of humanity and joy, and well worth coming out to see.
Saying Goodbye to Kim Lords
We say goodbye to Kim Lords, our wonderful intern. Thank you, Kim, for your passion, joy and dedication!
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