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Fourth-grader Conor Hyland takes a closer look at Katie Sheckels' flute at yesterday's 'Good Buddy' concert at the University of Mary Washington. UMW's Wind and Percussion Ensemble invited Holy Cross Academy students to sit with its musicians.
ABOVE: Jack Shofi, a fourth-grader at Holy Cross Academy, listens to
LEFT: Anna Kosky, third-grade student at Holy Cross Academy, does her part during the concert |
By COLLEEN CREEGAN
Craig Naylor, director of the University of Mary Washington's Wind and Percussion Ensemble, has no problem sharing the spotlight.
"Who wants to stand up here and help me conduct?" Naylor asked approximately 90 fourth- graders and band students from Holy Cross Academy in Fredericksburg.
Conor Hyland jumped at the chance, joining Naylor at the podium to conduct the musicians for "Selections from Moby Dick."
Hyland and his classmates were guests of the ensemble yesterday at the fifth annual "Good Buddy" concert, held in the Great Hall of UMW's Woodard Campus Center.
"I wasn't scared at all to stand up there. I might play the flute next year, because it has a pretty sound," Hyland said.
The concert allows elementary-age students to see, hear and touch different band instruments and interact with about 45 UMW students who participate in the ensemble.
The Holy Cross students filled in chairs placed between musicians, and after each song the children asked questions of their older "buddies."
Fourth-grader Hannah Crasco, looked mystified by the lines of notes printed on UMW sophomore Jocelyn Parrett's music.
"How do you know how to read that?" Crasco asked.
Parrett, who plays the French horn, explained to her that each one of the lines is like a musical sentence.
"It takes awhile to get used to it," Parrett told her, reassuringly.
The ensemble prides itself on originality, and Naylor makes a point of choosing nontraditional band literature.
"We do not sound like a normal band," he said of the group, which includes students from all majors.
From the wide array of percussion, ranging from sleigh bells to brushes to a Middle Eastern drum called a dumbek, it's clear there's one thing Naylor is serious about--not taking himself too seriously.
Naylor had Crasco hold a microphone to the end of a long pipelike instrument called a didgeridoo, while he blew into it, making a low, deep sound, almost like a foghorn. The kids erupted in excitement.
He noted that the concert is a great chance for his musicians to practice for their formal concert on April 7.
"We can get through the rough spots in our program while entertaining and educating the kids at the same time," Naylor said.
Yesterday's concert included themes from "The Incredible Adventures of Wallace and Gromit," as well as part of a symphony composed by Naylor.
Naylor said his students love the "Good Buddy" concert, because it gives them a chance to do something outside of the ordinary twice-a-week band rehearsals.
Percussionist Stephen Grillo, a junior geography major, enjoys interacting with the kids.
This is the third "Good Buddy" concert he has participated in.
"It's fun to see how a lot of kids come straight to the percussion section. Its nice for them to come here and be able to test things out a little," he said.
Grillo handed over his drumstick between songs to eager fourth-graders who banged out some rhythms on the bass drum.
The "Good Buddy" concert was a brainchild of Naylor's when he first took over the Wind and Percussion Ensemble five years ago. He wanted to encourage music education in elementary and middle schools.
"It's great to see how the kids are so eager to learn. Their conversation with the college students just takes right off. That, to me, is the best part," Naylor said.
When the concert was over, Naylor asked his visitors, "How many of you think you want to join the band next year? "
Nearly every one of the students raised their hands.
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