Symphonia's New Program Delivers Music to Kids

By Amber Lester Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Yo-Yo Ma might have some competition in the fifth grade at Stonehouse Elementary School.

Student Jackson Livanec recently became the school orchestra’s sole cellist, thanks to a gift from the Williamsburg Symphonia’s new Instruments for Kids program. He received a 3/4-sized cello to fit his smaller frame.

Livanec is the first recipient of an instrument through the Symphonia’s program, funded through grants and gifts. Since February 2009, the Symphonia has worked to reach out to music teachers in Williamsburg and James City County to find students in need of instruments or lessons.

Because the program is new, the application review process is not formalized, according to coordinator Margene Hartsough. Teachers submit the names of worthy students and Hartsough, upon review of the application, arranges for students to receive rented instruments or lessons. Jackson is the first to receive an instrument, but several other students are slotted to benefit from the program in coming months. Hartsough says a 10th-grader will receive violin lessons and two other students just turned in applications for an instrument and lessons, respectively.

At this time, the program has no cap for how many students it can serve and Hartsough hopes to support the students throughout their schooling. “If we get additional funding as time goes on, that will allow us to continue it,” she says. Her hope is that more donations will allow the program to serve more students.

“We hope we will have other people in the community who want to give to the program so it can be a self-sustaining program that will reach many students and last for many years,” she says.

Students are chosen based on recommendations from teachers, but do not necessarily have to demonstrate financial need. “We don’t need to know financial situations,” Hartsough says. “Music instructors know their students and know what their situations are as far as ability to get a hold of instruments and get instruction.”

Parents are still responsible for making sure the student cares for the instrument and are also asked to purchase sheet music.

Hartsough says she thought it was “wonderful” when Livanec expressed interest in becoming his school’s only cellist. His music teacher, Elizabeth Cain, nominated him for the program. In her letter to the Symphonia, she described him as “highly motivated” and said she chose him for his enthusiasm and because Stonehouse did not have a cello he could play.

In December 2009, Livanec received his cello, purchased from Amory Music in Williamsburg. “Our orchestra really need a cellist and I found that the cello is a lot more fun than the violin,” Livanec said in a release. “So, I’m not just doing myself a favor, but my orchestra a favor.”