The PHS Tri-M Music Honors Society showcases their instruments to Poolesville Elementary School (PES) students in an “instrument petting zoo” for hands-on learning.
The Tri-M Music Honors Society, led by senior Clara Becker and sponsored by Assistant Principal Mr. Daniel McKenna, visited PES to show second and fourth graders the instruments they play. The exhibition includes time for the students to learn about, touch, and play with the featured instruments, followed by a performance from the club members.
“In the long run, we are trying to encourage future generations of PHS students to engage in music and take classes in the department, because the more engagement we have, the stronger our community will be,” said Becker. “Another important aspect of our petting zoo program is that we introduce instruments and musical genres not typically covered in early public education.”
The instrument petting zoo started last year when Becker reached out to the previous PES Music Teacher, Ms. Lyons, to form a collaboration where Tri-M members could share their love of music. Becker said she got the idea from the PHS HERO club who frequents the elementary school for mental health lessons, and a visit she received in middle school from Clarksburg High School music students.
“I remember that talking to other students about their experiences was much more powerful and engaging than just being told by a teacher to join a music class, and so I wanted to pass this encouragement on to others,” said Becker.
Mrs. Amanda Stanley coordinated this visit with Tri-M as the music teacher at PES.
“The 2nd graders were really in awe of the high school kids and excited to see and hear the different instruments and be able to actually touch them,” said Stanley.
Some of the instruments showcased included a guitar, keyboard, saxophone, trombone, violin, and recorders for the children to use instead of personal wind instruments.
“For some of the kids, not many, but for some of them, this might have been the first time they really got to see these instruments in person,” stated Stanley.
Stanley expressed that while the younger second graders were impressed by the showcase, the older fourth graders were more happy to learn that it wasn’t too late for them to pick up an instrument. Of the instruments displayed, Stanley stated that the keyboard and trombone were favorites among the young students.
So far this school year, Tri-M has held the petting zoo at PES three times, in Oct., Dec., and Feb., and another visit is being planned. Becker also expressed interest in expanding to other schools in the Poolesville cluster.
“Music has endless opportunities for exploration and creativity, and we hope that the petting zoos will help the students understand that,” Becker said.
