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Nov. 22–Reading, writing, arithmetic, violin.

If you’re a student at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis, you’ll have the musical instrument tucked under your chin and learn what instructor Philip Tinge means when he says "pizzacato" (pluck) or "fermato" (hold).

"It’s a requirement to graduate," said the school’s principal, Sister Janet McCann, of students taking lessons twice a week from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Seven homeroom teachers are learning the instrument right along with their students. It’s the great equalizer, Sister Janet said, since everybody starts from scratch.

"For the most part, the teachers are not good at it," Sister Janet said. "We have kids who are not academically strong, but are good at this. They show teachers how to hold the bow and fingering."

Learning together

On a recent Tuesday morning, 10 sixth-graders and their teacher stood at music stands in a classroom lined with violin cases. Sheet music and pencils were at the ready.

Philip had the students running scales as he walked the room, injecting suggestions and a bit of humor into the 45-minute lesson.

"These are called pinkie pushups!" he said, working his baby finger on his bow hand up and down. He lifted one student’s bow, tilted another’s elbow, pointed out an incorrect stance — all the while playing his own violin.

On the blackboard were these words in large print, one below the other:

STAND TALL

LISTEN

EYE CONTACT

QUIET

In the back of the room stood social studies and science teacher, Lori Goessling, violin resting between chin and shoulder.

"In this room, the students help me," she said. It’s her third year at the school, and she readily recalls her initial encounter with a violin.

"That first year, the eighth-grade girls would say, ‘No, Ms. G., your fingering goes like this.’"

Like her students, the 27-year-old has been frustrated and confused, her bow not set correctly, her position not aligned.

"It inspires me to work at it. It’s hard for me!"

Her students have seen her struggle and she knows that’s a lesson for them, too.

"I can fail sometimes."

Sticking with it

"We picked the violin because it’s one of the most difficult" instruments to learn to play, Sister Janet said. "They stick with it — with what is really hard. … Life is hard. We do not expect them to become exceptional (at the violin), but we do expect them to be exceptional at sticking with it, to develop inner discipline."

Students get measured for their violins at the beginning of the year. Kindergarteners get pint-size versions and mostly learn to pluck the strings that first year. Older students are working on music for a Dec. 10 Advent service. An annual concert will be held in the spring.

Violins for the 103 students are provided through a grant and donations, so they belong to the school. Sister Marge Clifford finds the grants to support the music program, and to fund ballroom dancing lessons in the spring.

Philip has been the sole violin instructor. He plays professionally, gives private lessons and is concert master for the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra.

"He’s no slouchy violinist!" Sister Janet said.

Students respond

Last year, Philip set up a system for students to earn the privilege of taking home a violin. It is based, in part, on grades and attitude.

Sixth-grader Dominic Dandridge, 11, earned the privilege. His grandmother and guardian, Donella Colbert, of Fairview Heights, said Dominic never hesitated when he was handed the violin.

"He was confident" from the first, she said.

Dominic agreed.

"I liked it right away," he said.

His grandmother sent Dominic to Sister Thea Bowman when he entered fourth grade.

"His whole attitude changed when he went to school there," she said, adding that he feels especially proud about playing the violin.

"It’s like, ‘Look at me. Look at what I’m doing. Look at what we’re doing,’" his grandmother said. "I have to say Dominic has explained his ability to play the violin as a gift from God. He told me God put him here to play and ‘that’s my job.’"

Now he takes private lessons and performs with the Belleville Philharmonic.

Kasey Richardson, 13, an eighth-grader, also has talent.

"I’m good at ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’" he said, and began a brief but loud impromptu rendition, his head bent down in concentration.

For Jeremy Savannah, 12, there are a few downsides to what he enjoys doing.

"You get blisters on your hands and your back bothers you," he said.

Teacher Lori Goessling has earned the right to take a violin home, too.

"I’ll practice with the CD. I want to sound good!"

Learning the violin positively affects behavior, attitude and grades. Philip sees the impact on eighth-graders in particular.

"A lot will stop playing (after graduation). None own their violins. But about half said they’d continue on," he said.

Philip figures that between him and the two sisters, if a student wants to keep learning after leaving the school, they’ll find a way to make that happen.

For more information about Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School, call 397-0316 or go to www.stbcs.com.

To see more of the Belleville News-Democrat, Ill., or to subscribe, visit http://www.belleville.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.

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