orchestra


of something that is familiar to the student. Bowing works well for this – the violin/ viola arm “opens up like a gate”…there are many others to use. Two pieces of tape or stickers on the bow for beginners work well for the area that you would like your students to begin to bow. This makes the motion for them less overwhelming and they have a visual goal to bow between the tape lines. When they can do this, it is another time for a verbal praise of their accomplishment or celebration. Students are engaged in learning with positive attitudes.


Musical wellness: Think of a student’s setup for the instrument when they are first placing a violin or viola under their chin. It should be comfortable on the side of the jaw with their eyes focusing in front of them on the music book. We do not want violinists/violists to stretch their necks out of sorts or have the instrument


straight out in front of them because it will create tension. Included with the initial posture is securing a proper sponge or shoulder rest, which is critical in teaching students wellness for life while playing an instrument. Cellists can stand and use their nose to help measure the height of the endpin. When seated they “hug” their cello; some laugh, but all do it and they move, also giving them a feeling of com- fort with this new instrument. The bass – I learned during a session at the 2015 Wisconsin State Music Conference that beginning bass students should stand and get the “balance” between their instrument and themselves. The right hand should be able to touch the bottom of the bridge on the bass. I immediately tried that with the beginning bass students; it worked and they still stand today.


Switching gears now to how music can be therapeutic to both students and teach-


ers… After traveling from one school to my next one, Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” is being played as the stu- dents are walking in; the next time I hear Coldplay and so on. What a great idea to use music in this way for their students. It gets students listening, humming, walking to the beat, relaxed, maybe even dancing at their lockers while they hang up their coats and ask their teacher, “What piece was that? I know that piece because my sister was practicing it on her instrument at home.” Music stimulates those brain cells, it acts as a relaxing, calming mechanism, motivates students and can get them in the mood for learning, and the list goes on. It is all encompassing with music in the lead for a healthy, well- balanced education of our Wisconsin school students.


Cynthia Kiepert teaches orchestra in the Stevens Point Area Public School District. Email: ckiepert@pointschools.net


Wisconsin Foundation for School Music President: Paul Heid, Heid Music, Appleton


President-Elect: Sarah Jerome, Retired, Arlington Heights School District


Past President: Robert Berndt, Educator Effectiveness Services, Crivitz


Secretary: Timothy Schaid, Executive Director, Wisconsin Foundation for School Music


Board Members:


Gregg Butler, Administrator, Eau Claire County Off Campus High School Paul Heid, Heid Music, Appleton


Vicki Jenks, WYSO Percussion Ensemble Director, Wild Rose Sarah Jerome, Retired, Arlington Heights School District Elaine Mischler, M.D., Retired, Waunakee Richard Parks, Superintendent, Marathon Public Schools Nancy Rasmussen, Retired, Walworth


Russ Rautmann, Executive Director, Engler Center, Chilton Elizabeth T. Russell, Russell Law


Todd Schmidt, Village Administrator, Waunakee Ted Witt, Retired, Waunakee


Wisconsin School Musician


Advisory Council: Linda Bergren, Retired, Madison


Robert Berndt, Educator Effectiveness Services, Crivitz


Jim Brandmeier, CEO, 180 Music, Madison James Byrd, President/CEO,


Midwest Asset Management, Inc., Madison


Gerald Kember, Retired, La Crosse School District


Rhea Myers, Attorney, Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson, S.C., Madison


James Schutz, Senior Financial Advisor, Statehouse Investments, LLC, Madison


Roger White, Retired, White House of Music, Inc., Waukesha


Richard W. Wolf, Emeritus Professor of Music, University of Wisconsin, Madison


Staff:


Timothy Schaid, Executive Director, schaidt@wsmamusic.org


Jamie Kember, Development Associate, kemberj@wsmamusic.org


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