Cavani String Quartet Proves Music’s ‘Classic’ Appeal

By Larissa Lytwyn

During their recent visit to Reed Intermediate School’s fifth grade orchestra, the fun-loving women of the Cavani String Quartet proved that classical music could be as contemporary as it is timeless.

Violinist Annie Fullard, along with violist Kirsten Docter, cellist Merry Peckham, and violinist Mari Sato, quickly built a hip, interactive rapport with students.

Emphasizing the importance of communication and listening skills, Ms Fullard noted that string quartets “don’t have conductors.”

“We have to be aware [musically] of where each other is at all times,” she explained.

Smiling at the fifth grade “musicians,” she continued, “You all have been great listeners, a great audience!”

The quartet, which recently performed Newtown Friends of Music’s last show of the season at Edmond Town Hall, teaches music at the Cleveland Music Institute in Cleveland, Ohio.

Founded in 1984, the Cavani Quartet was named after 19th Century violinmaker Vincenzo Cavani.

“In addition to teaching at the collegiate level, we have brought our workshops to students of all ages, from 2-year-old preschoolers to high school musicians,” said Ms Docter, who has performed with the quartet for the past ten years.

The Reed visit was part of Newtown Friends of Music’s ongoing outreach program, in which students have the opportunity to visit and musically collaborate with professional musicians.

“I’m really excited to see the Cavani String Quartet, but a little nervous, too,” admitted fifth grader Jamie Whelan, who began playing violin in fourth grade during the 2002-03 school year.

The 2003-04 fourth grade orchestra program, cut during last year’s education budget shortfall, was not reinstated in the schools’ 2004-05 proposed budget.

Like Jamie, many of the other fifth grade orchestra members had begun playing their instruments in fourth grade; several, including Jacob Eventoff, plan to continue playing.

“This will be the first time the students will be playing with professional musicians,” noted orchestra teacher Jill Marak proudly. “It’s a great opportunity for them!”

“I love playing the violin,” said Jacob. “I’m really excited to work with the Cavani String Quartet! It should be fun!”

Orchestra teacher Mardi Smith said she enjoyed attending the quartet’s Edmond Town Hall performance.

Watching the members interact with the students, she noted, “They were very interactive with the audience members during the [Edmond Town Hall] show, too.”

After opening with Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nacht Musik” and demonstrating the pentatonic scale, Ms Fullard asked the students to identify the various melody pitches each musician played by raising a hand.

Donning coordinated baseball caps, the quartet played pieces by Beethoven and Haydn; as the melody was transferred from viola to violins to cello, the students, nodding and smiling in recognition, raised their hands.

Prompting students along, Ms Fullard at one point playfully raised her leg as students raised their hands.

“You guys were great!” she cried after the quartet had finished.

Ms Docter discussed the transformative nature of music and the significance of music education, including the link between listening to Mozart and increasing mental acuity.

Ms Sato described the different parts of the instrument, from its curved body to its “belly” (underside) to its “ribs” (sides).

She also discussed the different kinds of woods used to make different parts of string instruments, including ebony, mahogany, and, in the case of some bows, fiberglass.

“The bow’s fibers are often made of horsehair, too,” Ms Sato said.

As the quartet launched into another piece by Beethoven, fifth grade orchestra member Kathryn Scott said she was enjoying the visit immensely.

“They’re really good, great to listen to!” she exclaimed. “Ms Fullard is really funny, too.”

After performing several pieces, the orchestra had the opportunity to perform for the quartet, opening themselves to constructive criticism and a professional evaluation.

For more information on the Cavani String Quartet, visit www.Cavani.org.