Second-choice instruments for young musicians

When they started in music, Alexandria Sayles wanted to play the violin and George Harper III, the trumpet. But, both ended up playing different instruments.

Now, both are very satisfied with their second choices.

Thirteen-year-old Alexandria tried out for her school band four years ago. But, the director only accepted violin players who already knew how to play the instrument.

"I was stuck with the clarinet. But, I liked it after I started to play it," she said. Alexandria recently graduated at Parkway Central Middle School and will be a freshman this fall.

Thirteen-year-old George said, "I signed up to play the trumpet in the school band. But, the mouthpiece was too small." His band director suggested he try the trombone and he's been at it ever since.

The two young musicians also share another common experience. Both are recipients of Whitaker Foundation grants that pay most of their fees for private lessons.

The Whitaker grant can pay over 90 per cent of the cost of private music lessons. Free-lunch students pay only $2 per lesson and reduced-cost students pay only $5. Such lessons can cost as much as $40 apiece.

Initially, the Whitaker grants were available only to young musicians in the Normandy School District. George is in that district.

But, the program has been expanded to include promising musicians in the Parkway School District. That's where Alexandria is a student.

To be eligible for a grant, a kid needs at least one year of school band or orchestra and a music teacher's recommendation. There also has to be a financial need.

If you would like more information about the Whitaker program, contact Tricia Oates, KFUO's educational initiatives director. Her office number is (314) 505-7814.

Alexandria is actually getting financial help for lessons for two different instruments.

The Whitaker grant pays for her clarinet lessons. But, her church is helping to finance her piano lessons. That's because she plays piano during worship services at the St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist Church.

She also played for Christmas and Easter services. She did a solo during a Midnight Mass.

But, her outside activities include more than music. She is a member of the Matthews Dickey swim team and has competed in meets as far away as Atlanta, Ga. She said her best stroke is the free-style.

She plans to try out for the Parkway Central swim team this fall.

Recently, she was featured in an article in Splash magazine. She had her name picked in a drawing that resulted in a profile of her.

George also has a sports interest. He's a catcher on his YMCA baseball team this summer.

Alexandria said she isn't sure about a career in music. For now, she's aiming to go to law school at Harvard University. She has a cousin who is a JAG lawyer in the U.S. Navy.

Asked what she likes about music, Alexandria said, "I like the fact that it makes me unique. All my friends had dropped out of music by the sixth grade." She added, "I'm also the only kid playing at our church."

George said his interest in music is a very practical one. "I got interested after I found out I might be able to go to college on a music scholarship," he said.

He said he's likely to pursue a career as an accountant or an investment banker. He said his favorite class in school is math.

Both musicians have had a lot of chances to perform. In addition to playing in their school bands, each has done recitals with their private-lesson teachers. Also, the Whitaker scholarship students get together for a spring concert every year.

George said he "likes to perform in front of people," even if he does get nervous before every concert. He said he usually warms up about 15 minutes before every performance.

He said he knows he'll have to continue to improve if he's going to get a college scholarship. He said, "I need to work on extending my range of notes."

George has one private lesson a week. Then, he practices from 30 to 45 minutes each day.

Both of the musicians play mostly classical music. However, Alexandria said she does like hip-hop music.