OCCC faculty gives CDC hands on approach to music
By Leigh Anne C. Manwarren, Staff Writer
As a way to teach children about different aspects of music, members of the OCCC faculty gave the Child Development Center and Lab School students a “hands on” approach, June 17-19.
During the three different musical presentations, children touched, played and learned about the different aspects of music.
“This class is made up of three to five year olds,” Child Development teacher, Lisa Young said. “The children were really excited about the musicians coming to play for them,”
Music professor Michael Boyle instructed the children in how to play the bass-violin for half an hour, June 19.
“The bass-violin is so big that it’s going to take two of you to play it,” Boyle told the children of OCCC’s Child Development Center classes.
As part of the demonstration, Boyle brought the children two at a time to play the bass. One stood on a chair holding down a note on a string and the other stood on the floor moving the bow.
Boyle said he loves playing with children because of how unpredictable they are.
“I’m glad that the center did this. It is really important that the very youngest of children get some exposure to classical music,” he said.
Boyle said other musicians should do similar programs to help young children gain exposure to music that they would most likely not find in their everyday lives.
Another presenter was adjunct music professor, Christian Morren, June 17.
“She brought a child size violin to let the children play on it and sang for them,” Young said. “The children were very excited about playing the tiny violin.”
Technology Training coordinator, Johnny Allen, showed the children a drum pedal, June 18.
“I liked the drum pedal because of the ‘bum-bum,’” 5-year-old Max Willis said.
Young said the children both had fun and learned a lot from the presentations.
“If there are anymore people who want to play for the children, we will be happy to have them come,” she said.
Staff Writer Leigh Anne C. Manwarren can be reached at photog@occc.edu.
