Advertisement Students at Three Rivers Waldorf School incorporate the seven-holed woodwind instrument into the musical stylings they perform throughout the year during events, plays and festivals.
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Miriam Sellers plays the violin with the recorder band at Three Rivers Waldorf School in La Crosse. Dick Riniker photo |
Seventh- and eighth-graders performed Saturday at the Franciscan Spirituality Center’s Franciscan Fest and will march along with fifth- and sixth-grade students in the Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade on Thursday, Oct. 4.
“Playing the recorder is interesting because it’s a lot different than what everyone else is doing,” Noll said. “It’s fun.”
Performances also give the students a change in scenery, Dougherty said.
“It’s nice to get out,” he added.
Band members said they look forward to participating in the Torchlight Parade as it passes their school, located at 901 Caledonia St.
Parents, classmates and teachers wave and cheer for them as the band passes wearing black clothing decorated with glow sticks, band members said.
Students at Three Rivers Waldorf School first learn to play the recorder while in fourth grade.
Once they know the basics, they practice regularly throughout the school year as the instrument is integrated into their lessons.
A recent rehearsal started with a C major scale to warm up — and make sure the recorders were in tune.
Moments later the band began playing “Elbow Dance,” a tune from the Renaissance that would bring most people to their feet, ready to dance.
Many kids played the enchanting melody on their recorders from memory.
Others used sheet music.
“We play a bunch of songs,” Noll said. “Some are harder than others.”
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
