Musical Instrument Zoo is full of fun

If you entered the Lopez Island Library last Saturday, Aug. 5th between 1-3:30 p.m., you might have thought you were in a music school. Sounds of strings, brass and flutes mingled with laughter and learning as kids of all ages discovered the magic of musical instruments.

August 12, 2014 12:41 pm
A string ensemble by the fireplace.
A string ensemble by the fireplace.

By Beth St. George

Special to the Weekly

If you entered the Lopez Island Library last Saturday, Aug. 5 between 1-3:30 p.m., you might have thought you were in a music school. Sounds of strings, brass and flutes mingled with laughter and learning as kids of all ages discovered the magic of musical instruments.

The Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, sponsored by the Lopez Island Family Resource Center and the Friends of the Lopez Island Library, was created by music lovers to introduce kids to instruments and to showcase the library’s musical instrument lending library. An estimated 40 kids and 30 adults made the library vibrate with sound and good vibes.

We thank all of the musicians who generously donated their time, enthusiasm and skill to the event: Lance Brittain on guitar, banjo and mandolin (Lance also checked all of the library’s instruments prior to the event to ensure they were in good working order); John Ditto on keyboard; Tom Felber on bass; the Jensen family – Matt, Beth, Tim, Leah – on trombone, tuba, French horn, and bassoon; Bill Johnson on guitar; Ginni Keith on recorder and flugelhorn; Moana Kutsche on flute (Moana also helped gather musicians from Orcas); Celia Rosenberger and her students Brigid Ehrmantraut, Kai Dibona, Caden Hein, and Monya Hein on violin, cello and viola; and Nick Teague on ukulele. Thank you to everyone involved. (My apologies to anyone I may have missed).

The library has the following instruments available for checkout: acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, cello, clarinet, flugelhorn, French horn, electric keyboard, recorder, ukulele, viola, and violin. We also have a variety of print, audio and other music resources for children and adults.

Most rewarding was the competence and confidence of the young musicians and watching them hone their skills by teaching other children. As Celia Rosenberger said, “It was a fantastic opportunity for [her students] to get a chance to be the teachers for a change, and they were all extremely good at it.” Careers are in the making! What wonders will next year bring?