Library’s violin program gets underway

A violin instructor has ambitious plans for a new weekly program that makes learning the instrument accessible for families at the Brandon Public Library free of charge.

Robert Richardson welcomed 24 children and youth registered for the violin program during its first class late Friday afternoon and explained they would begin by listening to music and practising finger and hand movements.

The 45-minute classes are split between two groups for children ages three to six and those who are age seven and older.

“This will probably be my most important teaching I’ve ever done,” said Richardson, who has taught violin for about 40 years in various places, including Canada, the U.S., Ireland, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

“I’ve always been a strong believer that just because you’re a teacher doesn’t necessarily mean there’s students, but if there’s students that want to learn something, there needs to be a teacher,” he said.

He gasped when he heard interest for the program has skyrocketed with a total of 76 children and youth on a registration waitlist.

Richardson’s thoughts immediately drifted to what he could do to possibly expand the program to accommodate keen learners on the waitlist. He hopes to add teaching sessions on Saturdays and obtain a larger practice space in the future, he said.

The violin lessons are ongoing and build upon previous classes.

The program was made possible by a $100,000 donation from Lynn Whidden, a former music educator at Brandon University.

Whidden never learned to play the violin, but she has a musical background in singing and playing piano. She chose to fund the lessons because the violin is a portable instrument and has ties to the Métis culture.

“I’m a big supporter of music. I’ve seen what it can do for mental and physical health,” she said.

Whidden said she was pleased to hear how so many children and young adults are signing up, especially after Richardson’s violin program at École New Era School was discontinued years ago.

She found joy in watching the school students learn the instrument and looks forward to how this new project will pan out.

“I think we should keep going. There’s more to be done in Brandon,” Whidden said, adding that she hopes the lessons will bring more people downtown to make the area more lively.

Music lessons are not something that is typically offered in a library, which is why staff hadn’t considered hosting a program like this until Whidden floated the idea around in December, said Alex Rogowsky, manager of programming and community services at the downtown library.

“We’ve had the Manitoba Underground Opera here two or three times and you might not expect the library to be a place where you would hear the opera or, you know, violin class, but … I think that reflects the kind of space we want to have here,” he said.

The library is becoming a place where people don’t have to be completely silent or focused on their own activity, Rogowsky said.

“We like people to spend time here, and it’s kind of neat hearing the music in the background,” he said.

Rogowsky said offering the free programming removes barriers for those who want to learn how to play the instrument but can’t afford to.

Richardson said Whidden’s generous donation will last a long time, but he’s still looking for local businesses or organizations willing to sponsor the program so it can continue for years to come.

The instruments were supplied by Garth Lee, who specializes in hand-making violins, violas and cellos in Winnipeg. The violins cost about $700, but Lee — a longtime friend of the instructor — reduced the price to $500 each to support the community program, Richardson said.

His classes will follow the “Suzuki philosophy,” which emphasizes teaching young musicians how to play the violin by ear before learning to read sheet music. It also focuses on parental involvement and positive reinforcement to foster musical skills and good character, he said.

Based on the philosophy, extra violins will be available for parents who Richardson hopes will take the opportunity to learn alongside their child.

He said it’s important for children and youth to see their parents practise and overcome their struggles while trying something new. It will also provide parents with the ability to help their children practise between lessons.

Richardson said he will teach students at their rate of learning because he can’t impose his own timeline on them.

“I can support it and I can guide it, but it has to be the right time for that child,” he said.

The first three weeks will prepare the program participants to learn the basics and improve their posture by using a makeshift violin built from cracker and Kraft Dinner boxes, Richardson said.

Eventually, the kids will be able to take home their own violin and begin learning various program repertoire.

Richardson said music is more powerful when people play it together and he wants to cultivate a greater sense of community for musicians in Brandon.

People who are interested in the program can register by phone, email or in person at the library.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com