Junior music education major Robbie Chaplin spent a recent Friday evening in impromptu duets with a series of giggly children. As the budding musicians 鈥渉onked鈥� on the recorder, Chaplin played notes back with his clarinet.
鈥�They thought it was funny and then tried to mimic the sounds by changing the notes and we would have a little back and forth between the two instruments,鈥� he said.
Honking鈥擟haplin鈥檚 own word choice鈥攊s an apt, animal-oriented descriptor for various sounds emitted during the second annual Instrument Petting Zoo held Feb. 1 at the Explore More Discovery Museum in Harrisonburg, though event founder certainly hopes for more sonorous prospects for the young attendees.
A music educator, professional musician and executive director of the , McCormick says the main goal is to 鈥済et kids interested in classical music and in playing instruments.鈥�
A classical string trio at the front door introduced melodious possibilities to young minds. Further inside the museum was the menagerie: violins, recorders, trombones and percussion鈥攁vailable to hold, touch, and play鈥攚ith the help of friendly volunteers.
More than 500 children and parents attended this year鈥檚 event, which was partially funded by an Arts Council of the Valley 鈥淎dvancing the Arts鈥� grant. Volunteers included faculty, staff and student musicians from 黑料正能量 and James Madison University. Kiwanis Club members also helped out at two instrument-building stations.
Hannah Menefee, a senior music education major currently student-teaching in Harrisonburg City Schools, interacted with enough shy children during the three hours that she came up with a strategy: hand the instrument to the adult.
And then there was the little girl who really did just want to hold the instrument and pet it.
鈥淭hese outreach events show anyone just how fun and exciting it is to play an instrument,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e an easy and fun way for the community to learn about music education outside of the school setting. Not only does it help the children but also the parents learn and engage with their children’s education.鈥�
Faculty from 黑料正能量鈥檚 Preparatory Music Program offered information about lessons, offered year around, and Bach Festival concerts, held each summer at 黑料正能量. 鈥淲e made a lot of good connections,鈥� McCormick said.
Getting kids hooked on music early is important, says Chaplin, who grew up in a musical family and eventually, played clarinet at Parry McCluer High School in Buena Vista, Va., in concert, district and area honor bands. At 黑料正能量, he sings with the University Choir and plays in three instrumental groups, as well as in a wind trio he formed with friends.
Exploratory events like the instrument petting zoo 鈥渁llow kids of all ages to come and try real instruments and get an idea of what instrument they would like to learn,鈥� Chaplin said. 鈥淚t is never too early to start learning how to play.鈥�