Local teacher creates music program at YLS

Chris McDaniel

Nov. 8, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- When Margaret "Maggie" Fenske came to Yuma in 2008, she noticed a shortage of music programs available to local students because of a lack of funding, and she decided to do something about it.

Fenske is the orchestra teacher at Yuma Lutheran School (YLS), and is able to teach more than 90 students without any dedicated budget.

"When I came to Yuma, I was very much aware of the fact that there is not a lot of money in the public school system for music, art or gym," said Fenske, who had lived in Wisconsin.

"In the Midwest, every single school has those programs, but here I was surprised to find out that students are very lucky to have all three and a lot didn't have any at all. I knew it was an experience the kids didn't necessarily have here in Yuma, and I also knew with the budget situation, getting a job (as a music teacher) would be difficult."

Fenske, a lifelong Lutheran, contacted YLS.

"They were thrilled with the idea of having an orchestra program," Fenske said. "It is very unique because a lot of private schools don't have music programs. (YLS) is very fortunate to have a general music teacher and she was thrilled to have this offering for kids, so I created the program from scratch."

Fenske said she held classes both before and after school in the 2008 school year.

"We had about 40 kids involved last year, and I think the church and the school thought it was a very positive experience, so they allowed me to come in as a regular staff member this year, and now the lessons are during the day. Now we have about 90 kids in the orchestra. It was a big thrill to know the parents thought so much of having music for their kids that they wanted them to participate."

YLS principal Karen Markin is very impressed with Fenske's work.

"She built up the program from about 45 last year to over 90 this year, because of her commitment of heart," Markin said. "She loves the music and loves the kids. If you go in there you can see her show the students correct form, the notes and everything from A to Z. What's really neat is how she wants kids to love music."

Fenske said she is pretty laid back when it comes to teaching.

"I am not a crack-the-whip teacher. I smile and have a lot of fun with the kids, and I'm afraid there is a terrible amount of noise in the classroom."

When asked if she looked forward to the chaos and noise every week, Fenske said, "I do, and when the younger kids are playing I don't hear the screeches and the scratches. I see the smiles and the excitement, and that is what brings me into class everyday. I love being in the classroom and helping the kids create. When they have success and I watch the light bulb of understanding turn on, I live for that."

Fenske said music is a key element in everything she does.

"It means a lot to me. I grew up in a very musical family, and in a lot of ways growing up, music made me sane. It made me a whole person. To me music is very therapeutic. I enjoy playing as much as I can. I'm pretty enveloped with music. It is my life."

Fenske said all kids should have a chance to play music.

"I believe music is for all kids and is something that can be really uplifting for them and be a positive experience no matter how good or talented they are. Music allows kids to be creative and lets the right brain and the left brain work together."

Fenske said playing music allows for higher levels of thought as her students play.

"They are concentrating on how hard to pull the bow on the string, they are problem solving the bow speed , weight and placement, and they don't know they are doing math and science. There is a lot of physics involved. I do treat it a lot like a science experiment."

Fenske said it is important to give her students room to experiment.

"Depending on what level they are at, I have them composing from the first day on. For me composing, improvisation and being creative is really important."

Since Fenske doesn't have budget dedicated to the orchestra program, she scrambles to come up with the resources needed.

"We don't have a budget, so each student has to rent their instrument," Fenske said. "Over the last year I have received about six instruments that were donated, and they are all in use by our kids. We could use several thousand dollars to pay for scholarships, music and instruments, that would be a dream come true."

Fenske's orchestra doesn't include an upright bass player because she doesn't have the money to buy a bass.

"We don't have a bass because they are expensive, and cost about $1,200 each. I plan on getting a bass at some time and hopefully we can raise the money needed to buy one. When I do get a bass, it will stay at school, and if any of the students wants to try it, I will show them how."

Fenske said, if she had it, she would use any extra money to enrich the musical lives of her students.

"If I had enough money, I would use it to help kids who can't afford to rent instruments. It would be nice to have a number of instruments available for the kids who need them. I also need money to buy sheet music. One orchestra piece costs about $50."

For now, Fenske does the best she can with what she has, and that means 90 students will continue to be educated in classical music.

For more information about the program, or to donate instruments or money, call 726-8410 or log onto www.yumalutheranschool.org.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0239-39544523