WS Chronicle

Students at Easton Elementary channeled their inner Wolfgang Mozart last week when they showed off their skills on the violin during a concert held in the gymnasium for parents, faculty, and staff. 

Since the beginning of the school year, students enrolled in the kindergarten program at Easton have had the opportunity to learn beginner violin techniques from musicians with the Winston-Salem Symphony. The initiative, P.L.A.Y. (Piedmont Learning Academy for Youth) Music has been introducing students to the violin for the past three years. According to President and CEO of the Winston-Salem Symphony, Merritt Vale, Easton and three other schools, Old Town, Diggs-Latham, and Jefferson Elementary, participate in the music program.

Each student begins with a cardboard violin that they make and decorate themselves. After learning how to care for their cardboard violins for a few weeks, students then upgrade to the real thing. 

What makes the program at Easton unique is students receive violin instruction during the school day. At the other participating schools, P.L.A.Y. Music is held after school. Principal Colin Tribby said next year they plan to extend the program to include first graders. 

Tribby, who is a musician and former music teacher at Easton, said it has been amazing to watch the students grow to enjoy the violin and grow in other areas as well. 

“They have become so responsible and respectful of the art that they’re practicing and they’re only kindergarteners,” said Tribby. “I can’t wait to see how they progress next year as first graders.” 

During the concert last week, each kindergarten class took turns showing what they’ve learned so far this school year. Students in Mrs. Baker’s, Mr. Greene’s, Mrs. Montes’ and Mrs. Amara’s classes all wowed the crowd with their performances. 

For more information on the Winston-Salem Symphony or the P.L.A.Y. Music program, visit https://www.wssymphony.org.