For kids, learning how to play a musical instrument begins in fifth grade. These fifth graders had the opportunity to meet their possible new instruments during the “Meet the Instrument Night” hosted by Olathe West.
The kids in attendance explored all kinds of different instruments, ranging from a small violin to a saxophone and many more.
High school volunteers were stationed in the orchestra, band and choir room. Kids had the chance to walk around and try anything they wanted to.
Sophomore Ansley Withers helped fifth graders learn how to play the cello in the orchestra room.
“They get to try everything so they have more options instead of just one that someone picks for them so they get to choose,” Withers said.
As the kids walked around, they each got a bingo card and had it stamped for certain things like having a string player perform the happy birthday song, holding a clarinet or asking volunteers certain questions, like if they performed in a state orchestra.
“There was one little girl that got super excited when she played the strings on the cello,” Withers said.
Not only is “Try it Night” an opportunity for fifth graders to experience the world of musical instruments, but it is also an opportunity for the high school volunteers to learn something as well.
Junior flute player Chamiru Liyanawaduge was a volunteer at “Meet the Instrument Night,” assisting the fifth graders on how to properly hold a flute.
“It’s important for try it night to happen because fifth graders might not know the options they have and the opportunities that they have and it’s really fun for high schoolers to learn and grow and see themselves and reflect back on their past experiences in music,” Liyanawaduge said.
The high school students volunteer for a variety of different reasons. Some use it as a way to help the community, and others use it to receive lettering points. Receiving enough lettering points means the student is able to earn a varsity letter for the class.
“I decided to volunteer because I did it last year and having that experience, it was really fun and I get to see a lot of people in the music community that I’ve had in the past few years, like previous teachers,” Liyanawaduge said. “And it’s just a great experience to teach someone who is in your shoes.”
Volunteers at this event enjoy spending time getting to know these kids, and like seeing how happy they are being able to play instruments.
“They’re very cute and I love how eager they are,” Liyanawaduge said.
