Mt Tahoma high school music students getting coaching from Tacoma Symphony musicians

TACOMA, WA –Student string musicians at Mount Tahoma High School are receiving weekly coaching sessions with members of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, thanks to a new cooperative arrangement between the TSO and Tacoma Public Schools.  Under the rubric of “TSO2U,” the Symphony is holding eight-week residencies in three Tacoma high schools during the school year, starting with Mount Tahoma.

“Individualized coaching and attention from adult professionals can have a major impact on young musicians,” stated TSO Executive Director Andy Buelow.  “The cooperative effort that led to TSO2U is bringing that level of attention to students at Mount Tahoma in a way that complements their work within its existing music program.”

In order for a student to progress, s/he needs a well-rounded music program that includes private lessons, participation in a school or community youth orchestra program, and individualized attention from his or her school orchestra or band teacher.  Without this, a young musician can become discouraged and give up.

But for students from financially challenged family backgrounds, this level of attention can be hard to come by.  Many cannot afford private lessons or community youth orchestra tuitions.  Most of their ability to progress musically comes to depend, disproportionally, on their school music program.  A single school music instructor may find it nearly impossible to meet this need.

In October, TSO Associate Concertmaster Gwendolyn Taylor and Assistant Principal Bass Anna Jensen began weekly visits to Mount Tahoma High School, where they are working with the students as coaches and clinicians in cooperation with band instructor Leo Altimiranda.

The optimal way to hold the instrument, proper bow and finger placement, and correct hand position—elements that are essential to a student’s musical progress—these are a few of the areas in which they are providing guidance.  Their visits include working with students separately and in sectionals.  They actively demonstrate technique as well as listening to the students’ playing and providing feedback.

“Gwen’s a violinist and I play double bass,” Anna explains.  “Between us, we can cover both ends of the string spectrum and everything in between.”