By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
The fourth-grade program teaches the recorder, a small flute-like instrument that the students learn in third grade. Youngsters entering grades 5 and 6 study the instruments that they play during the year.
Greg Belmonte teaches the recorder and orchestra portion of the
program, and Joe Capodicasa teaches band.
Megan Murphy, who will play clarinet next year, said she signed
up for the summer program on the recorder "because I wanted to know the notes." Kenny Miro said he joined "so I could be good at saxophone."
Emily Wrynn, a future clarinet player, said, "I wanted to improve at reading the notes." Joe Mutarelli, who chose trumpet for next year, agreed that note reading was his reason for signing up.
Catherine Tchiember said she didn't know she would be in the program, but is glad that her mom signed her up, and she, like Mutarelli, looks forward to playing trumpet next year.
Capodicasa said summer band differs from the program during the year because of time constraints. "It's more condensed," he said.
Also, during the year, students are separated for lessons by grade. During summer, they practice together. And diversity has its advantages. "Kids learn from having role models and having someone a little more advanced to emulate," Capodicasa says.
It becomes clear, when watching a practice, that the students involved in the music program are motivated and enthusiastic. Kevin Harvey said, "I really like playing the trumpet." Michael Behenke, whose dad just bought him a new silver trumpet, signed up for the program simply because he enjoys playing. Jeremy Gross and Joe Tucker also play trumpet and, like Behenke and Harvey, signed up for the summer just because they enjoy playing.
Alex Ratner is playing bass clarinet this summer. He switched from regular clarinet, because he said regular clarinet was too small. Julia Schifini plays the trumpet, because, she said, "It's practically the loudest instrument in the band!"
