School Supply Donations- WishList Wednesday- Recorders

Hot cross buns, hot cross buns, 

One a penny, two a penny

Hot cross buns.

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb. Mary had a little lamb; its fleece was white as snow. 

Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are…

Oh the memories. No it's not nursery rhyme day in the WishList blog, it's MUSIC CLASS!

There were few things that were cooler than getting out of your regular class. Our school called them “ specials” and we had a schedule of them each week. Gym class, Art class, Library and MUSIC class. 

Now if you were like me, singing was not really your thing. The inability to carry a tune in a paper bag still plagues me to this day. But that was OK, because all of the other small squeaky voices just joined yours as you belted out song after song preparing for an assembly or concert. 

Our music teacher would sit behind the piano pounding out all the latest elementary school curriculum hits while we sang along.  What used to really get me excited was when we would have accompaniments! She would open the instrument closet and a few select students who had been waving their arms in the air  eagerly, would be graced with the privilege of playing one of the instruments. Wood blocks, triangles, cymbals, tambourines, even a small drum!  She would stand before us stamping one foot while exaggerating the clapping of her hands trying futility to keep the song on beat anywhere near the instruments. Bless their patience. 

 In my elementary school, I could not stop looking forward to 4th grade. 4th grade music class meant that everyone got to play an instrument ( although if I am being fair, she would try to make sure all the kids had a chance to play the classroom noise makers). But 4th grade was special. It was the year of the recorder. I am pretty sure it was every parent's worst nightmare, especially if you had older kids, you unfortunately already knew what was coming. I am not sure if it would have been better to be surprised!  

In 4th grade  we would come into the room and there would be large boxes on the front table, filled to the brim with our prized jewel, our very own recorder! Ours to keep until the end of the recorder lessons:) Each student would be called up, one at a time and given their instrument. The number on their case was recorded and we picked up the corresponding music booklet, then back to our seats. The number of times she repeated “ DO NOT blow into your recorder until told to do so” became such a background noise that by the time the final students had returned to their seats, you could not even hear her speaking.  A loud smack on her desk got our attention and quickly quieted the room. 

We would spend the next few months working on applying all of the musical theory knowledge we had learned to playing real music. Simple yet fun songs, over and over and over and over again.   I still look back on that time and smile. We were Philharmonic musicians playing the most difficult compositions. No matter how bad we sounded, the encouragement to continue and praise for our accomplishments rained down on us.  I wonder if that is what convinced me to  join the band a few years later.  Anyway, I digress. 

The joy and excitement of playing an instrument still sticks with me. When Amondi told me of the school activities, comparing and contrasting their education to what she experienced herself, I was shocked to hear that the recorder and its insane lessons, was still a part of a curriculum, even though it was halfway across the world from me. 

Much like all other items needed for classes, the school does not provide recorders. Each student’s family is responsible to get them one. Now, if you have not read my blog about pencils( I encourage you to take a peek at that), you would not know that families will sacrifice food and meals just to save enough money to pay the school fees. Extras like pencils and erasers and recorders are outside of their ability. 

So what happens to the kids without recorders you ask? Well, they still go to music class and sit. You can pretend to play but, well it's just not the same. The few kids in the class that can afford them get to participate fully. Now imagine how hard it would be to learn to play music.. Without the instrument.. Or the sadness you would feel sitting and watching from the sidelines because you could not afford the few dollars to get your own. 

This one hit me hard when she told me. There were times in my childhood, we could not afford all of the fancy, newest toys and things that my friends had. And I remember how bad I felt, having to sit out of games. So this HAD to go on the WishLIst. 

It took quite a long time, several phone calls and hours scanning the internet trying to find the best price for a good quality instrument. We ordered several trial items and found them to be little more than a party favor noise maker. Our goal with this item is to present the school with a classroom set of recorders, so that every child can look forward to getting to 4th grade and playing a wonderful solo performance for their friends and families. The recorders we chose are low maintenance, easy to clean, durable and of good quality. We have asked that enough be ordered that every student can borrow one and every student gets to participate. 

So to our music loving supporters, consider donating part of the needed supply of recorders to our school. I have not met a music teacher yet that can not explain to you just how monumental music can be in a developing child’s mind. And if for no other reason than if you , yourself had to listen to 72 renditions of Twinkle Twinkle , then you should get to share this.. Umm experience, with other parents!