Beginner String Camp

Penn Manor elementary students had the opportunity to get a head start on their string instrument skills this past summer. Mrs. Sue Hamer, the district's elementary string instrument teacher, offered a beginner's camp for new string students.

Students learned the parts of their instruments, how to get into playing position, the names of the strings and much more. Three classes met for five consecutive mornings in August.

In addition to the traditional lecture, students played fun drills like the Echo Game. The teacher played a note while the students listened and then the students tried to repeat the same note. The students practiced their string-plucking skills with the Open String Songs. They learned all about their bows and developed their finger dexterity with the Spider Crawl exercise. They even learned bowing drills to sentences like "High fiddle, Low fiddle, Small fiddle, Big fiddle."

The camp was attended by eight future violinists, two future violists, and two future cellists.

A sixth grade violinist from Pequea Elementary, acted as a demonstrator for the violin/viola classes and modeled proper playing technique for the young players. She treated the students to a violin duet with Mrs. Hamer one morning. They played "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven.

Parents were invited to stay and observe the classes. This better prepared them to help the junior musicians practice the skills covered each day. When asked to comment about the week-long program, one of the parents responded, "The string camp was a very positive experience for myself and most importantly for my child." Another agreed, "String camp was excellent. My daughter was very excited about learning so much."

Approximately 90 students are enrolled in the Penn Manor Elementary string music program district wide.Plans are in the works for offering this camp again next summer. Please contact Mrs. Sue Hamer at: 872-9520 ext. 1597 for more information. Or email at sue.hamer@pennmanor.net

Susan Hamer.