In what might be called music to their ears, two talented and deserving musicians from area elementary schools recently learned that the Palm Beach Symphony would present them with an instrument to call their own.
The symphony happily accepts donations of professional or amateur quality orchestral instruments and, after ensuring the instruments meet performance standards, donates them to underserved children or school music programs in Palm Beach County.
Sarah Zarazua, a fifth grader who has played on a school-owned violin since she entered the strings program at U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School of the Arts in kindergarten, was thrilled to receive a full-size upper level violin at her home in West Palm Beach. She will play the violin made by F.M. Bertucci in Rome (circa 1948) when she continues her studies next year at the Bak Middle School of the Arts. Zarazua was nominated to receive the instrument by Susan Ott Rodberg, director of orchestras at U.B. Kinsey. She is also a member of the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County’s String Orchestra, which Rodberg conducts.
Alanis Lopez, a fourth-grade student at Wellington Preparatory School, who has been playing with a rented violin, received a full-size Western European violin bearing the fictitious label of Leandro, 1931. She was nominated by Mariusz Wojtowicz, the school’s violin teacher. “Humble, kind and a music lover, Alanis is a hardworking and disciplined student,” Wojtowicz wrote. “She is passionate on her violin and playing at an intermediate level after five years of playing.”
To nominate a student to receive an instrument, or to make an instrument donation, visit www.palmbeachsymphony.org.
