Los Fresnos News

Rancho Verde Students Learning How to Play Violin, Cello

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by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

String instruments are some of the hardest to learn how to play, but a group of Rancho Verde Elementary School students is getting a head start.

They meet two afternoons a week for one-hour sessions on the violin and cello. Eighteen students are enrolled in the violin class and another 11 in the cello class.

The after-school program was organized by RVE music teacher Terri Sponsler, who has taught students how to read music. Sponsler, who plays the cello herself, recruited Natalie Haugeberg to teach the classes. Sponsler is assisting in the instruction.

“Right now, they are playing in guitar position and learning the notes and positioning of the fingers as beginning violinists,” Sponsler said. “Once they have that under control, they will be transitioning to the shoulder position.”

The students rent the violins and cellos through a rent-to-own program. Each student pays only $65 for the entire nine-month program. The students had to pay the beginning violin or cello books.

If they decide to continue, they have the option to purchase them.Violinists will not be using bows until after the Christmas break.

Haugeberg is new to Los Fresnos, moving to the area from Dallas this year. “I used to do this in Florida for eight elementary schools. Teaching the beginners is fun, because you get to see them get better.”

Sponsler is hoping that the students are able to learn a few songs in the next two months to schedule a Christmas concert.

Sponsler hopes to get a grant and have an intermediate group and beginner program next year. She hopes to have a small string instrument orchestra at RVE by next year.

Statistics show that students who play string instruments excel academically, Sponsler said. “Playing any instrument is very good for your brain.”

Students learning how to play the violin will be a big help if they decide to join the Los Fresnos school mariachi and conjunto groups, which both use the violin.

“Playing the violin is a very cultural thing,” Sponsler said. “This will be a lifelong learning thing for them.”