Kidizens Concerts Bring Talking Cello to Fifth Aveue

Children were introduced to the sights and sounds of orchestral instruments at the  Kidizens Concert, at the Fifth Avenue Elementary School on Wednesday. Sandy Marth Kiefer of the Rhode Island Philharmonic spent the day hosting five separate presentations during which she introduced the cello to the grade 1-5 student body. 

Each session of the"Talking Cello" workshop lasted approximately a half hour during which Kiefer described different parts of the instrument. The horse hair bow gave the children a chuckle with the way in which the parts work together to create numerous sounds.  In order to give each student a clear view of the instrument, Kiefer climbed upon one of the tables with her illustrious cello, sat down, and began  telling a story.

During the story, she introduced the children to the many sounds the cello is able to make, including a dog's bark, a cat's meow, a bird's tweet, and the sounds we may hear during a scary movie. Kiefer also explained how her "gorgeous, big, beautiful cello" was not always so easy to handle. The children loved it, and applauded time and again during the story.

Kiefer is currently the Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of Rhode Island, the Suzuki Specialist for Cello at the MA Longy School of Music, and the Founder/Director of the Copley Chamber Players, which produces 200 events yearly throughout New England.

Through the “Talking Cello” workshop and the Whompers program, Citizens Bank and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School strive to  bring music education initiative to cities and towns throughout the state.