Pupils learn to sound of music

A snow delay and an assembly -- what more could the pupils ask for?
COLUMBIANA -- With the tropical sounds of steel band in the air, pupils at Crestview Elementary must have thought they were on an island -- a fun island.
"What a day," Principal Al Cervello said Friday afternoon as pupils in second, third and fourth grades were treated to the music of Hamilton Street Pan Groove of Akron. "A two-hour [snow] delay and an assembly."
The assembly was a culmination of many teachers working together over several weeks to provide a unit lesson on sound. It was funded by several grants and involved about 120 elementary pupils, some middle schoolers and 29 physics students.
Before the assembly, the elementary pupils learned about the history of steel drums and studied Trinidad through an interactive computer lab.
"We even played steel drums online," said computer teacher Susan Kershner, who helped spearhead the unit.
"We like to incorporate technology as it assists the curriculum. We want it to enhance their education."
Earlier in the unit, the high schoolers worked with the younger ones on projects and demonstrations.
Loved being at school
"The little ones loved being at the high school," said physics and chemistry teacher Veronica Kotel. "And my students enjoyed working with the kids; they didn't realize how much energy they have."
Pupils cheered wildly for the high school students, who had initially shied away from performing with the band, but, after some prodding, they played a routine using instruments they had made. Several of the elementary pupils gave the high schoolers a standing ovation, and the older students waved and thanked them for the applause.
The steel band, however, was the main event, and the pupils certainly were excited about the music.
"It was cool," said third-grader Preston Straney.
"We give it an 'A,'" said fourth-graders Britney Burt and Michael Yerkey.
Fun to perform
The musicians -- Josh Quillen, Jeff Neitzke, Joe Moxon, Wilbur Krebs and Jason Little -- all had a good time.
"This is a lot of fun," said Quillen, who introduced songs and technique, as well as educated the pupils about the steel drum's origins in Trinidad.
"We do this because we love it, and because it's fun to teach kids about music. They don't feel like they're learning anything, but they are."
Kershner said the collaborative project came together with money from the HP Teaching Initiative Grant, the First Energy grant, and high school and elementary school assembly funds. She also said the Columbiana County Educational Service Center is funding a "Percussion Summit," a distant learning connection to the Cleveland Institute of Music, for third- and fourth-graders.