THE BIOLA STRING ORCHESTRA

Class Name:
The Biola String Orchestra

Program Name:
Biola Afterschool Program

School:
Biola Pershing Elementary, Biola, CA
Central Unified School District

Description:
The sweet—and sometimes not so sweet—sound of string instruments emanate from an afterschool classroom every Wednesday afternoon at rural Biola Pershing Elementary School, thanks to a partnership with a church almost 20 miles away.

The Biola afterschool program consists of approximately 86 students from first grade to sixth grade, and from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Hispanic, Hmong and Punjabi. Forty-four of these students are currently part of the Biola String Orchestra. One of the unique aspects of the string orchestra in the Biola afterschool program is that it is made possible by a collaboration with People’s Church, the Biola Parent Club and SoluNet. The director of People’s School for the Creative Arts, Licia Clark, provides the instruction and donors from the church provide the basic instruments. The results are nothing short of a miracle.

In the Beginning
Clark reveals that the program started when she heard heartbreaking stories from her husband, who is a second grade teacher at the school. She heard stories about children who face the challenges of hunger, no afterschool supervision, fathers in prison, witnessing drive-by shootings, and being transported in cars driven by 12-year-old siblings. What could she do except what she does best? Bring heavenly music to their ears.

Today the stories sound more like this: Kids walking down the hall pretending they are playing their violin, parents in tears when they see their children mastering instruments, people coming forward to donate food and more instruments, outside groups asking the orchestra to perform at places like Chukchansi Stadium and district meetings, and children intensely proud of their accomplishments.

Clark remembers the first time she put a violin at the chin of one student, who regularly encountered taunting by classmates. He closed his eyes, she drew the bow across the strings, and he kept his eyes closed as if to savor the beautiful sound. She was thankful his eyes were closed, because hers were welling up with tears!

Now Performing
Pedro Lopez, the afterschool coordinator, recalls the time the students took a bus to perform at Lights On Afterschool at Sierra Vista Mall. He says the students were thrilled to walk around the mall together afterward, reminding him that the little things we take for granted are a big deal for them.

Program challenges include space (the school has to run two groups), the ASP enrollment limits, securing additional instruments, transportation for performances, and having to borrow uniforms for performances. In spite of the challenges, Pedro hopes other churches and community members will come forward to support afterschool programs in a similar way.

Program Needs:
The Biola String Orchestra is looking for a donor or donors who will provide uniforms for the performances of these budding afterschool musicians. Of course, violins and violas are always accepted.

Who to Contact:
Pedro Lopez, Afterschool Program Coordinator, SoluNet, (559) 375-2139
Licia Clark, String Orchestra Instructor (559) 375-3423