S. Seneca 5th Grade Band Members Learn from Experts

The South Seneca area boasts plenty of great restaurants, wineries and vacation spots. The area has one other great commodity that is quite a secret: Famous musicians. Laura Campbell, flute professor at Wells College and her husband, Dave Unland, tuba and low brass professor at Ithaca College live on Cayuga Lake. Both make their living teaching and performing as professional musicians. However, they are also enthusiastic volunteers when it comes to helping the music students of South Seneca Central School District.The band students enjoyed the couple’s generosity during master classes held at the elementary school by both of these great musicians. On June 2, a very hot and humid day, the fifth grade band members split into two groups to enjoy time with Ms. Campbell, a flutist and Mr. Unland, a tuba player. The woodwind students enjoyed hearing Ms. Campbell demonstrate world class flute playing and were able to ask many questions about her career in music. Ms. Campbell had written several easy arrangements of pieces the students already knew. The students were able to play Dona Nobis Pacem and Beauty and the Beast with Ms. Campbell as they learned the fine art of chamber music.Mr. Unland performed his tuba for the brass and percussion students and explained how brass instruments are simply long metal tubes with mouthpieces attached. Mr. Unland brought several lengths of plastic tubing which he was able to “play” by attaching his mouthpiece. He distributed the tubes to students allowing them to experiment with trying to make a good sound. Mr. Unland also brought music he had arranged for the students to play together on their band instruments. The students had a great time and the two artists have committed to returning to the elementary school for another session very soon.