The public is invited to the spring demonstration shows at the Children’s Prep Music Studio, on the second floor of the Natchez Senior Center. Pre-level shows will be at 4:15 p.m. Thursday; elementary level will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 23 and intermediate level will be at 4:30 p.m. the same day.

This Tuesday the advance level will be doing a show for the residents at the Magnolia House on 311 Highland Blvd. The public is also invited.

You will witness children’s musical development in a non-traditional setting. Students will demonstrate their pitch work, rhythmic and melodic reading skills while using props and all sorts of instruments making it a fun-filled experience for both students and audience alike. Many visuals that are part of the ingenuity for teaching music will be utilized at the demonstrations. Adults learn right along with the students’ demonstration while witnessing their solid music education.

We, the audience, will watch the fun and beauty of music unfold in a “hands-on” interactive environment. Mrs. King’s students will familiarize us with instruments of the orchestra, barred Orff instruments, rhythm band and unpitched instruments. We will become familiar with the fundaments of music reading and theory while observing their innovative approach. The use of puppets and other gadgetry will be present in the younger students’ shows. And it is always delightful seeing the progress of our children’s grand motor skills.

As a music educator for 30-plus years and the proud parent of a 6-year-old, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the musical and social experiences available in the community for children. Music is a lifelong enjoyment and made even more enjoyable with the skills and development that are provided by great teachers. So many times I have friends, parents and students tell me that they can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Well that may be true, but I believe if they could have been exposed at an earlier stage in life to the skills of music, which are tone production, music reading and hand-eye coordination, they would also be able to appreciate music at a much deeper level. For me, it’s exciting to see this fruition in our children during the demonstrations.

If you enjoy watching children display their talents, please join us for the demonstrations.

 

Dale Young is a Natchez resident and band director for Adams County School District.