Download Testimonials - Cape Symphony

TESTIMONIALS
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Education Programs
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Feedback from Students, Teachers and Administrators
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Students Say:
"The violin sounds nice and
beautiful. It makes my mind clear."
Grade 4 student on Mozart's Eine
kleine Nachtmusik.
"It's very exciting. You can see
pictures or scenes with horses."
Grade 6 student on "Hoe-Down"
from Rodeo by Aaron Copland.
"I wonder if Haydn had a favorite
song out of all the songs he's
written."
Grade 4 student after hearing the
first movement of Haydn's
Symphony No. 6.
Teachers Say:
"The five-day repetition seems to
be just right. By the third day, most
of the kids are recognizing motifs
and, by the fourth day, they are
humming them."
"A great opportunity for children to
relax and regain focus; a nice
breather for me."
"I feel students are beginning to
form opinions about the pieces
they are hearing. Not only are they
listening, they are also thinking
about the music."
Administrators Say:
"Comments from visiting parents,
volunteers, and noon-hour
supervisors have all been positive.
They tell me, 'This is really nice,'
and 'What a great idea.' "
Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra
Fiddlers’ Green
712A Main Street
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
Once daily music listening began in Peebles Elementary School in Bourne, music
teachers and classroom teachers alike began to observe a noticeable change in
behavior. Classroom teachers reported that students were calmer, more relaxed after
the listening period. Some noticed that attention spans improved; students were able
to sit still for longer periods of time and they remained better focused in the classroom
environment. Several teachers indicated that the listening program enhanced the
routine in their classroom because students seemed settled and ready to work.
“. . .they remained better focused
in the classroom environment.”
The general music teacher at Sippican School in Marion is “over the moon” with the
program and remarks that it has a high music education value. She often links it to
her daily music lessons. After three years, she has noticed an enormous increase in
musical literacy. As for the students, quiet listening has become part of the culture. In
fact, it appears to act as a curtain between the hassle of arrival at school and a
calming down before class. Tardiness has almost disappeared. Students are
disappointed when the listening program is not available on a given day. In particular,
the program is adored by grades K-1.
“Tardiness has almost disappeared.”
Music teachers surveyed by the publisher reported that listening skills improved, both
in the processing of musical sounds and the attention to aural detail. Several music
teachers reported, some with amazement, that students consistently heard more
going on in the music than what was outlined in the scripts. Others related that they
had seen a significant improvement in listening behavior in students when classmates
performed during music classes.
Parents reported changes, too. One parent related that her son was able to recognize
the sound of certain composers when listening to music on a classical radio station.
Another parent reported that her daughter had asked for a cassette tape of Bach’s
music for her birthday.
“. . .her daughter had asked for a cassette tape
of Bach’s music for her birthday.”
Perhaps the most telling change in student behavior came in one school where all the
students were assembled in the gymnasium to listen to a performance by the
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Touring Ensemble. In addressing the students before
playing a selection, the director spoke a little about the composer. He finished by
asking, “How many of you have ever heard of Mozart?” A look of incredulity washed
over his face before a huge grin appeared as he looked out and saw that every hand of
every student in the room was raised.