Homeschool-student orchestra provides musical, social outletby Jon Malavolti , Staff WriterJackson Citizen Patroit Friday, April 29, 2005
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They piled out of rehearsal and instantly began socializing. With
instruments tucked under their arms or put on the floor nearby, the
students talked and horsed around.
As routine as it seemed for the youngsters, this was a rare chance for them to interact with each other, because the students in Carrie Holden's symphony orchestra are homeschooled. "It's a social thing as much as it is an educational thing," Holden said. The orchestra, which will perform tonight as part of the Homeschool Presentation Night at the Jackson Free Methodist Church, is made up of 18 area homeschooled students whose ages range from 8-19. Four parents also participate in the group. Holden has conducted the homeschool orchestra since 2003, taking over a Jackson Symphony Orchestra program started in 2001. |
"It's good dealing with homeschool kids because they are much more
disciplined and really, really excited to be in a group in a way that
kids who are in public schools aren't," said Holden, who taught music
for one year in public schools. "There's just a little more general
enthusiasm. The kids really enjoy being here, and it's when they're with
their friends it makes it more exciting."
Five members of the Coleman family from Napoleon play in the orchestra. "It's a real neat thing for us to learn together," said Reggie Coleman, one of the parents in the group. "We look at it as a another subject in our school curriculum." The oldest of the Coleman children, 13-year-old Jeff, plays cello, like his father and brother. "Playing music is fun," he said. -- Reach reporter Jon Malavolti at 768-4945 or jmalavolti@citpat.com. |
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© 2005 Jackson Citizen
Patriot.
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