They may not be virtuoso musicians yet, but what the students in the Mineola School District summer music program lack in technique, they make up for in passion.
“I’m just going to keep playing the violin. I love the violin. I’m never going to switch my instrument,” said intermediate violin student Kaitlin Servimskas.
Kaitlin, who will be a fourth grader next fall, followed the lead of her older sister, Erin, who will be playing violin as a freshman at Mineola High School.
She said she likes the summer music program so much, she’s coming back for the second two-week session July 15 through 25.
“I like that we get to do solos and I can memorize the strings,” said Victoria Abraham, a viola player who started playing in last year’s summer music program. “They give individual attention to us.”
Kaitlin and Victoria demonstrated what they had learned over the past two weeks at a brief recital attended by students’ parents and family members in the Mineola High School auditorium last Friday morning. The string players took the stage first, with beginners and intermediate players performing separate and as an ensemble. The horn players of different skills levels played the second part of the recital.
Paula Chavez, a flultist going into fourth grade, said she’s a big Louis Armstrong fan and enjoys the opportunity to improve on her playing after starting a year ago.
“I love jazz music so much because it gives you that blue tone,” she said.
Intermediate advanced violinist Jorge Mejia Manzano performed a violin duet he wrote with Joanna Pedretti. Both will be eighth graders in the fall and both said they enjoy playing.
“I like the way you can make so many different sounds,” said Jorge,
Jorge took the inspiration for his original piece from a measure of Bach’s “Brandenberg Concerto” that he included in his piece. He started learning violin four years ago, encouraged by his father, who plays piano and guitar. He said he’s looking forward to playing in the high school orchestra and enjoys playing with his dad at home.
“It’s really fun to play and the music’s really cool,” said Pedretti, who also enjoys helping the younger students.
Kristen Frazer, who just completed her 14th year teaching at the Mineola Middle School, said she was pleased to see the first blush of beginners finding the right notes and the intermediate instrumentalists eager to improve their playing among the 55 students in this summer’s first session.
“They choose to be here to get that extra experience with the music,” she said. “That part I really love.”
Mark Bennett, a music teacher in the Mineola district for the past 16 years, said he likes the spirit he see in the summer program students.
“I enjoy working with kids who want to do a little more, who are enthusiastic about playing and working in a relaxed summer setting,” he said.
The two teachers haven’t working alone and at Friday’s recital, Frazer made a point of thanking high students and alumni who volunteer in the summer program to help younger kids learn their instruments.
“For me, it’s very reminiscent of when I started,” said Brandon Sia, a violinist entering his senior year in high school as a member of the high school orchestra and chamber ensemble this fall.
Brian Greenfield, entering his junior year at Mineola High, has been playing alto saxophone since he was in second grade. His father, Steve, a professional musician, has been teaching him “on and off” and Brian said he enjoys teaching younger players.
“I like it because everything you know, you get to share with them. It shows why music is fun,” Brian said.
Noah Love, entering sixth grade, enjoys the interaction with an older brother after two years of learning to play sax.
“I like coming to the program because Brian can teach me all he knows,” Noah said.
Brian plays in the high school band and concert jazz band. He has also played in the Nassau-Suffolk Band for high schoolers and the all-county band.
The boys’ father said he likes the idea of his son passing on what he’s learned and continuing to develop his own ability in the summer program.
“It’s quite a treat. He’s not only teaching, but he’s playing,” he said.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
