EVERETT — When Robin Enders worked the “Swallow Tail Jig” into orchestra class during first semester, she figured the traditional Irish fiddling tune might inspire a few of her young musicians.
She calculated correctly.
Enough so that several students, including one in slippers, are willing to show up to Explorer Middle School 45 minutes early Friday mornings for a new fiddling club.
It’s a lively group, united by the joy of music and free from inhibition.
They play the same instruments that they do in orchestra, but say it’s a whole different experience.
“It’s fun and it’s usually faster music and the kids like to play fast,” Enders said.
Enders, who teaches orchestra at Explorer and six other Mukilteo School District schools, knows the time spent learning to fiddle will make for better musicians in more classical works.
“It helps them technically,” Enders said. “When they play faster, they tend to relax.”
They also tend to laugh a lot in the early morning club as bows glide and slide across the strings. In fiddling, they are learning a different bow stroke and rhythm.
Enders grew up learning mostly traditional classical music, but, in the past 10 years, other forms of music, such as jazz and bluegrass, have become more mainstream for string instrument teachers, she said.
“Music has gone in all sorts of different directions,” she said. “We associate strings with more different types of music.”
Exposing students to the possibilities broadens their interest, she said.
“I always look forward to fiddle club because it’s fun,” said Katy Hamill, 13, a seventh-grade viola player. “I’m usually sleepy when I get here, but it makes you wake up fast.”
Enders speeds things up just a few minutes into a Friday session.
“Let’s do it a couple more times, but faster,” she urged her eager group. “Get those fingers warmed up.”
That’s fine with Stephanie Coons, 11, a sixth-grade violinist. “I like fast music,” she said.
Minutes later, Enders plays and her students echo. Everyone is on task.
Students ask about other songs. They are interested in different styles of fiddling from North America and Europe.
“It’s just really upbeat music,” said viola player Shelby Chalker, 13. “After a while, it doesn’t feel weird anymore.”
Students also say they like the idea of fiddling because it’s fast enough where others can’t as easily tell when they make mistakes.
However, Explorer Principal Ali Williams points out, “you have to be good to play fast.”
Williams suspects there’s another reason students are willing to come in early: They like their teacher.
“This is her first year here and she has already really connected with the kids,” she said.
“We all like Miss Enders,” Shelby said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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