It’s a big day at Palaver Music Center’s small office above Portland’s Exchange Street, where several neatly arranged little black cases vie for space on the couch. Inside are tiny violins and violas – the smallest just 16 inches long – that preschool musicians will soon hold for the first time.
Students in the nonprofit’s Introduction to Strings have prepared well for this special class and their new instruments, which also include child-size cellos. They’ve toted paper violins – personalized with their own stickers and paint – to home and back for five weeks. Most importantly, they’ve learned how to care for their real instruments as gently as they’d treat a baby – habits that will last a lifetime, says violist and teacher Elizabeth Moore. A grant from MaineCF’s Rines Thompson Fund provided funds for 17 instruments.
Palaver Strings, a 13-member ensemble that performs across Maine and elsewhere, relocated last year from Boston to Portland. Drawn by the city’s diverse population and need for more music education, it forged partnerships with other organizations to build community across socio-economic and racial backgrounds.
Children who meet for classes at the Immigrant Welcome Center aren’t newcomers, thanks to Palaver’s music education that began at five Portland childcare centers. Starting with the youngest, Matthew Smith, a Palaver Strings cellist, uses singing and dancing to engage infants with techniques similar to teaching a language. Palaver aims to add one class each year up to 12th grade.
“It was clear from very early on that we were all interested in education and how important it is to reach people where they are, where they’re comfortable, and reach young people, says Moore. “Whether they become musicians themselves or become audience members, it’s vital to music to engage with this generation.”
Learning how to play a violin, viola, or cello starts early for students in classes taught by musicians from Palaver Strings. Photo Yoon S. Byun
