Except in this time of COVID-19, a typical afternoon at any of the Dr. Crisp, Amherst Street or Mount Pleasant elementary schools would find Lela Spira-Savett, Trisha Mistry, Aedan Pickett and Clara Chung, members of the High School Sinfonietta Strings and student mentors, setting up for their after school mentor sessions with budding 3rd, 4th and 5th grade string players. In non-COVID times, these practice sessions would be in addition to weekly lessons and ensemble playing. During COVID, they are a musical lifeline to student string players.

Sinfonietta Strings is a Nashua-based music education program that invests in young musicians with the knowledge that anyone can become an outstanding musician through consistent excellence in practice and instruction. With emphasis on sustained instruction, rigorous expectations, and strong relationships, Sinfonietta responds to the belief that high-quality music education should be available to facilitate economic and social mobility for all, regardless of identity, means, and neighborhood.

Most students participate in one small group weekly lesson with a professional string teacher and enjoy an opportunity to play in a larger ensemble as well. Nancy Goodwin, Executive Director, recognized that some elementary school students needed more guidance and practice in between lessons. Budget constraints made adding another weekly lesson out of the question.

Lela, an enterprising senior and an accomplished violinist, has participated in Sinfonietta Strings since 4th grade. Recalling how difficult it was to practice on her own, she thought that a student mentoring experience would benefit both mentor and mentee. With Ms. Goodwin’s support, Lela reached out to the school principals, and then, with their agreement, to the music teachers. Knowing the value of more practice and having “an older kid” to look up to, she organized the program which would offer a ½ hour mentoring session for a small group of students each week at their elementary school. A parent is present at each session. Each mentor follows the teacher’s curriculum and helps students master the weekly lesson plan. Most times, teachers write practice notes in the margins of student music books which serve as the guidance the mentors need.

Just as the mentor program was gaining traction, the pandemic upended lives and daily student routines. When schools closed, the mentor program jumped into high gear. Sinfonietta String teachers began creating video tutorials, converted group lessons to private Zoom lessons and created recordings for student practice sessions which the mentors were able to use. Lela said, “we thought it would be a good idea to keep students practicing and help with everyone being isolated at home.” The mentors are all experts in Zoom and online learning now and were able to set up one on one tutoring sessions.

Aeden, a rising junior, recognized that the mentors were essential during the time of COVID not only as violin coaches but as connections to other students. One mentee said, “I haven’t seen my friends in so long.” Noted Aeden, “kids want a personal connection and want to engage more than ever.” Another mentee asked him, “…what’s your favorite music?” Some of the mentors are now playing their favorite pieces in order to make the musical connections more interactive.

On the practical side, there are limitations to online teaching. Clara, also entering her senior year, said “you want to make the lessons part of their normal routine” but COVID times are not normal. Aeden noted that it is hard to instruct without the student’s marked up sheet music in front of him. He asked his mentee to put the music up to the screen and took a screenshot so that he could follow along when the student played. That small difference made the lesson much more effective with Aeden offering tips in real time. Aeden’s student was disappointed to learn that his lesson time was over, an observation reported by the other mentors as well.

Mentors have received training from Ms. Goodwin and support the string teachers with common goals, but are encouraged to adapt their coaching skills to each student. As Trisha, a rising sophomore noted, “mentoring has been a learning experience for me and I have realized that teaching is really about communicating with the students.” Aeden relies on his advance preparation because “sometimes it can be tough to keep kids engaged.” With one high energy student, Aeden starts the session with jumping jacks to release some pent up energy and help improve focus. Clara takes a more direct approach with her 3rd grade student and asserts that “this is the time that we will be playing the violin…” Both approaches seem to work with the mentors concurring that their youthful mentees are appreciative and respectful.

Trisha recalled her own practice schedule when she was in elementary school, including some weeks where she would leave the violin in the case! Reflecting on her experience, Trisha stated that “the key is keeping kids engaged with the music. As older players, we are the ones they look up to. We keep them motivated!” All the mentors agree that the sessions keep the violins in the hands of these aspiring young players, as well as provide a personal connection and some fun along the way. As Trisha also noted, it is an opportunity for mentors who are looking for leadership opportunities.

The program is a win for mentors, mentees and the professional teaching staff. And, with the uncertainty about how music ensembles will look when school resumes, all agree the mentor program will be key to the fall Sinfonietta experience. For more information on Sinfonietta Strings, are programs and are concerts, please visit our website here.

Carol Marine is a member of the Advisory Board of Sinfonietta Strings of Greater Nashua.