Paul Banks students take steps toward musicianship

By Wendy Todd • September 21, 2017 9:31 am
Quintin Stover and his grandmother (left) and Aviana Flyum with her mother (right) create violins out of cardboard Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Wendy Todd)
Quintin Stover and his grandmother (left) and Aviana Flyum with her mother (right) create violins out of cardboard Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 at Paul Banks Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Wendy Todd)

Local first graders built their own cardboard violins the night of Wednesday, Sept. 13 as part of the Paul Banks Elementary Preludes Violin Program. After developing the strength, coordination, and knowledge of how to handle a delicate and difficult to play instrument, they will graduate to real violins and bows later this fall.

The entire program, including instruction, violins, and all teaching materials, is privately funded through grants and donations.

Inspired by the wildly successful Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program, the goal is to create better learners and citizens through instrumental music instruction and ensemble performance. All first and second graders at Paul Banks will be participating in the program this year.