Archive: Around Town

With support from an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Teacher Grant, DeWitt Middle School Orchestra Director Aaron Buck is collaborating with Cornell University’s Musicology Professor Neal Zaslaw to teach students about the Baroque period through performance and art.  Teacher Grants are awarded to Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers who create innovative projects that bring community members into active participation in the classroom.  

“It’s not often in middle school that you get to work on something of this caliber,” Buck said.  “This grant allows us not only to do the aesthetic parts of the performance, but it also allows us to bring in professional musicians.”

An orchestra comprised of DeWitt students, professional string performers, and local high school violin soloists have been practicing Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” since September. The musicians will perform the piece in its entirety at Barnes Hall at Cornell in April.  In addition, the Johnson Museum of Art and DeWitt art classes will create slides depicting various artwork and literature from the period, which will be presented during the performance.

“Not a lot of middle school students have somebody willing to do something this sophisticated,” said Zaslaw, an expert on Baroque performance, said of Buck.  “I’m full of admiration that this can still happen with decreased state and federal budgets for schools. Music and art have been very hard hit.”

Throughout the project, students have learned about how Vivaldi’s music was played during the time period.  For example, there were no conductors at that time; either the first violinist or the soloist made the cues.  So for this project, the orchestra will rely on Buck, first violinist, or the soloists, for prompts.  “It’s a trust thing,” Buck said.

Soloists attended a workshop with Zaslaw in February. “I tried to suggest ways to enrich their playing by introducing historical elements,” Zaslaw said, including techniques that are not part of traditional violin education, such as utilizing the special effects of a storyline. “The soloists were enthusiastic and wide-eyed,” he said. 

Students involved said the project is challenging and fun.  “I think it’s a great experience,” said Lizzie Freitag, an 8th grade violinist. “In this small group we get to work on details and more advanced things.”  Liz Rosen, an 8th grade violinist, added, “It’s not just hardcore practicing for hours; it’s fun, too. You get to learn about Baroque music and challenge yourself.”

“It’s flexible and you do more exotic stuff,” said Lucia Younger, a 7th grade cellist. “It’s a different opportunity.”

Lisa Fenwick, a local harpist and string teacher, said she has enjoyed seeing the collaborations among musicians.  Her son, Jonathan Fenwick, will be performing one of the solos and was excited to work with Zaslaw during the project. “I know it was incredible for him to get to work on performance style,” she said.  “It’s just cool to see young and old playing together.”

“The goal for me, and I think for them, is not the concert,” Buck said.  “It’s about what leads up to the concert.  It’s about hard work, learning the composer and collaboration.”

“Students get to see and connect with people outside the building,” said Mac Knight, DeWitt’s principal. “IPEI has expanded teaching and opportunities, particularly around an interdisciplinary focus.”

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