They might be playing some of the smallest violins in the world but don't feel sad; these three-year-old students love to pluck strings.
Continuing its year-long collaboration with Rosa Parks Early Childhood Education Center, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is showing young students the ins and outs of violins through its Summer Exploratory String Program led by Associate Principal First Violinist Ronnamarie Jensen.
"Each classroom has two children who expressed an interest in learning more about violins and have formed multiple violin committees meeting in small groups twice a week," Principal Lynn McClure said. During that time, the students meet with Jensen where they learn about the instrument. Last week, they learned how to hold the violins and bow and about the parts of violin.
"Children will experience 11 mini sessions and present a mini concert to their classrooms on the 12th session," McClure said.
"Each class is preparing for the event selecting Concert Committees they would like to be involved with as well including the ticket committee, the backdrop committee, the food committee and so on."
During the past year, TSO members have visited the center and provided concerts, introducing the three-year-olds to classical music. Last May, students performed a mini concert using flutes.
The program, which strives to foster a love for music, started June 11 and runs Monday and Wednesday mornings, from 9:20 to 11 a.m.
The violin committees will make their presentations from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. July 25.
