Together, they orchestrate their success

Adults and kids come together for music.

By BRITTANEY KIEFER, Times Staff Writer
Published August 12, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Keri Wiginton | Times] Sarina Singh, 10, front left, Britni Barnasom, 10, front right, Virgina Collins, 15, back left, Tyanna Tretter, 9 and her brother Cameron Tretter, 11, play their parts during practice with the youth orchestra at "All About Music". [Keri Wiginton | Times] John St. John, center, principal conductor, talks with percussionist Kevin Colbert, 15 during practice with the youth orchestra

SPRING HILL - Alexandra Halladay, 11, has been taking violin lessons since she was 5. Each year, she practiced the violin diligently - until summer came along.

"She would put the violin down and wouldn't pick it up all summer," said Alan Halladay, Alexandra's grandfather.

This summer, Alexandra's grandparents, Alan and Terry Halladay of Brooksville, have seen an improvement in their granddaughter's practice routine. They said Alexandra has been eager to practice the violin since she joined the Hernando Youth Orchestra in June.

"We haven't had to holler at her," Terry Halladay said.

Alexandra and close to 20 other members of the Hernando Youth Orchestra have been rehearsing on their string instruments since the orchestra's first meeting in early June. Merritt Tilson, Roland Hanneman and George Rubis founded the orchestra to train young musicians and promote a love of music in local children. They are accepting applications for new members.

Tilson, 34, has dreamed of starting a youth orchestra since she joined the DC Youth Orchestra as a child. Last year, Tilson and her husband opened All About Music, a music store in Spring Hill.

Tilson met Hanneman, a composer who lives in Brooksville, when he came into the store one day in November. Tilson was surprised to learn that Hanneman, 61, shared her goal of starting a youth orchestra. Rubis, 69, Hanneman's next-door neighbor and a violin teacher at Chocachatti Elementary School, volunteered to help Tilson and Hanneman start the Hernando Youth Orchestra.

Tilson, Hanneman and Rubis sent fliers to the music teachers at Chocachatti, Powell Middle School and Nature Coast Technical High School in April, and held auditions for the orchestra in May. Since June 7, the orchestra has been meeting every Thursday and Saturday at All About Music for lessons and rehearsals. When the school year starts, the orchestra will meet only on Saturdays.

The Hernando Youth Orchestra is open to children of all skill levels, from kindergarten to 12th grade. Tilson, Hanneman and Rubis are focused on teaching young musicians who aren't yet advanced enough to join the Hernando Symphony Orchestra.

Each week before the rehearsal, Tilson and Rubis divide the orchestra members by skill level and work with each group on playing and reading music. Hanneman, the orchestra's conductor, arranges the music for the ensemble and tailors the arrangements to challenge every member. He writes solo pieces for the more advanced students and accompaniment parts for the beginning students.

The benefits of over two months of music lessons and practice are already evident among the students in the orchestra.

Cary Wong, 6, is the youngest member of the orchestra and has been playing the violin since he was 4. Since joining the orchestra, he has learned to read music.

Cary's mother, Elana Wong, said her son is more enthusiastic about playing the violin since he began training with the orchestra. "He comes home and is excited to show his father what he's learned," she said.

Tilson, Hanneman and Rubis have plans to expand the orchestra. A percussionist joined the group for its Aug. 4 rehearsal, and eventually the organizers would like to add brass and woodwind musicians.

If the orchestra doubles in size, they will divide the students into beginning and intermediate sections. They want to perform two concerts a year, one for the Christmas season and another at the end of the school year.

Tilson, Hanneman and Rubis also want underprivileged children to have the opportunity to train with the orchestra, and they have applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service.

They also want to apply for government grants and ask for public donations to provide instruments and music lessons for children who cannot afford them.

Tilson, Hanneman and Rubis share the same outlook: that music is an integral part of a child's education.

Hanneman believes music education can have a direct effect on a student's proficiency in other school subjects, such as math and reading.

"It teaches self discipline and gets kids away from unproductive activities," he said.

By instructing the students in the orchestra, Tilson, Hanneman and Rubis hope more children will learn to appreciate music, even if they do not continue their music education later in life. Hanneman said he has been inspired by the enthusiasm the orchestra members have shown at each of their rehearsals.

"For me, the greatest joy is when we finish practicing and the kids ask for more," Hanneman said.

At the Aug. 4 rehearsal, it was clear that many members of the orchestra had already developed a strong appetite for music. After the rehearsal ended, some of the students lingered for almost an hour. They wandered around Tilson's music store, talking and examining the room full of instruments.

"Sometimes we have to kick them out of here," Rubis said.

Fast Facts:

To learn more

Anyone wanting information about the Hernando Youth Orchestra may call Merritt Tilson at All About Music, 10487 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The number is 683-3555.

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 20:49:08]