Strings Attached

Above, event organizer Ann Duchow.

Movie by Gary Olsen, produced and posted February 23, 2005

ubuque Schools has one of the best music programs in the nation because much of it is steeped in tradition. An annual event such as the String Festival, was carefully designed long ago as a logical step in the evolution of a student's capacity to learn. As the district has proven many times, music makes better students. The discipline required, learning how to perform, overcoming one's fears, the ability to work in a group setting as a member of a team (or orchestra), the sense of accomplishment, all combine to enrich a student's self esteem. As music teacher Deb Stevens likes to say, "All students have gifts, and music is one of those gifts. We just have to teach students how to open those gifts.

One student in the festival is hearing impaired, but she is, according to her teacher, Diana Luke, "talented and just a joy to work with." According to Diana, her student can hear at some level, but she needs an interpreter to help with what is being said at an event such as this. You'll see a person signing along with the instructor in the film.

This musical moment says more in images and sounds than an article on this page could ever say. Click on the appropriate button and enjoy.

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This is an event where students have an extraordinary concert experience, many for the first time. High schoolers mentor grade school students in break-out sessions throughout the event. The photos on this page are all linked to enlargements suitable for printing. All are stills taken from the original video produced of the occasion.
 
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