Virtuoso Joshua Bell
Inspires Future Generations of Classical
Musicians
by Gillian Granoff
When world famous violinist
Joshua Bell was asked to visit a class of budding virtuous
violinists and cellists at PS 68, the Edward A Fogel School
for Critical Thinking and the Arts, he accepted the opportunity
with enthusiasm. “I
love meeting kids. I love seeing kids excited about music.
And I so often see schools taking music out of the curriculum.
It just kills me. We all know that music is a wonderful thing
that brings us all together. Music and art is as important
a part of the diet of one’s education as math or science,” he
commented.
To the students of PS
68, Joshua’s face
is a familiar one. His posters grace the hallways and melodic
sounds of his Stradivarius violin romanced students and teachers
over the school loudspeaker in anticipation of his visit.
“I hope to change their idea of what a classical
musician is. They may have an idea that a classical musician
is old and the music inaccessible, which it isn’t. Hopefully,
these fourth and fifth graders will come away thinking about
music in a different way.”
Kathy Damkholer, director
of Education through Music (ETM), a non-profit dedicated
to the professionalism of music instruction within the schools
and her relationship with PS 68, remains one of the longest
running partnerships and one of its most successful. The
school, under the guidance and support of principal Cheryl
Cole, won a New York
State School of Excellence Award in 2001, receiving a special
note for its exemplary arts programs. “ETM made Bell’s
visit possible. Bell knows first-hand the rewards music can
bring. He is passionate that music be integrated with academic
study. “Working on music from an early age helped me
focus and practice, it gave me discipline and also taught me
about working with other people.”
During his visit, Bell spoke with three violin
classes and a cello class. He treated students to an impromptu
performance, gave a history lesson on his Stradivarius violin,
shared his personal musical tastes, childhood ambitions and
anecdotes on the incredible opportunities living life by his
violin strings.
“Some of you may become musicians professionally
someday. Don’t give up; there will be times when you’re
tired and say. ‘I don’t want to practice.’ But
you’ll feel better once you do.”
The demonstration culminated in Q and A session
followed by an impromptu performance of a work from the film The
Red Violin.
The enthusiastic performance was met with shouts and cheers
and thunderous applause from the over 200 students.
“I liked the last song that he played. “I
think Joshua Bell did a wonderful job and I would love to meet
him again,” stated Jessica, a third grade violin student.
Tiffany and Chelsea,
two fourth grade budding string students who have been playing
the violin since second grade exclaimed, “Joshua Bell is great. He’s
inspired me. I want to grow up to play just like him.”
The resonance of Bell’s visit and unforgettable
playing will surely leave an indelible impression on the students
of PS 68 and will continue to inspire Principal Cole’s
and ETM’s mission to make music central to the minds
and hearts of the students.#
For more information or to get involved with
ETM visit www.etmonline.org.
