By Tiffany Green

STAFF WRITER

The melodies of Christmas tunes could be heard down the halls of Cullman Middle School, as the violin class practiced for the Christmas program.

The new strings class is taught by violin instructor Penny Adair.

“Mr. Hill (principal) approached me with the idea in May and a week before school started we were approved to have the class,” Adair said.

Adair has been playing the violin since she was four years old. She also teaches private lessons and is the director of Suzuki Strings of Alabama.

“I can really approach the class like a master’s class. I am able to work with each individual as well as work together as an ensemble,” Adair said.

Currently there are only three students in the class. The students had to provide their own violin and pay a fee at the beginning of the year.

“I see the program growing in numbers and interest and at some point down the road we hope to add lower strings like the cello, bass and viola,” she said.

All three of the students in the class have some musical background, but Adair said that is not a requirement.

“There is no prerequisites at all,” Adair said.

All three of the students are enjoying the class and learning a lot.

“Since the class is so small, we have more learning time,” said Hadley Hall, an eighth grader in the class.

Adair asked the students a few weeks into the school year how they were enjoying the class.

“It is the most relaxing part of the day,” Saralyn Miller said.

Adair hopes since the class is now in the curriculum, there will be more interest next year. Since it was approved only a week before school started, many interested students could not find the time in their schedules.

“We hope that since it’s now in the curriculum for next year it will be easier to put in the students schedules,” she said.

The class performed at a school board meeting Nov. 3 and will have a Christmas concert at the school.

“They do enjoy performing and will seek out performances opportunities,” Adair said.

The students believe the musical training helps them in other areas of school.

“She (Adair) told us it uses like 90 percent of our brain, so it gives us a good workout,” Hannah Morring said.

“It makes us use good critical thinking,” said Miller.

Adair said she sees the small class size as an advantage.

“Just to have a small class has afforded us to be respectful of each other and we have been able to learn from each other,” she said.

Adair said the classmates are able to give positive critiques of each other.

“We are able to play for each other and receive feedback,” she said. “The group has a sense of respect for each individual and a certain responsibility to the group’s performance,” she said.

The girls who had previous musical experience said the violin is like no other instrument.

“The violin is like no instrument I’ve played before. This focuses on placement and balance,” Morring said.

“The physical aspect of the violin is difficult to master, but once that is set, all other falls into place,” Adair said.

Two of the girls knew how to read music, but Miller previously played by ear.

“I had to learn to read music,” Miller said.

The class will perform at an upcoming Christmas program at school. The Suzuki Strings will have their Christmas concert at Spirit Life Church of God on Dec. 14., at 5 p.m.

‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.