Making music and creating bonds

Twelve young musicians who wanted to keep their instruments from collecting dust this summer have been working together to make beautiful music.

The Faulkner Chamber Music Festival will close its two-week run at Family Life Bible Church this Friday with a 6 p.m. student recital.

Kristin Bomberger, left, practices a section of Mozart's quartet C while instructor Geoffrey Robson goes over another section with Abby Sutherland and Edward Barnes during the Faulkner Chamber Music Festival camp on Wednesday. LIBERTY PARKS PHOTO

According to Joo Yun Preece, one of the camp's three instructors, the point of the festival is to bring together the area's blossoming classical musicians to create both music and friendships.

"We draw from kids of all different levels so they can learn though teamwork and know there are other kids out there who like to play classical music," Preece said Wednesday.

Preece said introducing local kids to peers with similar interests is important, especially when the interest is as rare as chamber music.

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"This does create a lifetime friendship and I know that a special bond will follow, especially in a state like Arkansas where fine arts and music isn't flourishing," Preece said.

Although the students were given music prior to attending the festival, they did not know who they would be paired with in their separate ensembles.

Preece said she likes to pair students in two ensembles each with varying skill levels so students learn not only from the instructor, but from each other.

"It creates an intimate setting where you are practically one-on-one with a coach, but you are also able to share your music making and see what you can do together," Preece said. "You start getting a group dynamic and realize everybody has an equal role."

Preece said the students practice for four hours a day and have a final hour to practice their listening skills through activities, including sight reading and watching the instructors play.

"When you take lessons and play in an orchestra, you don't really get to hear your instructors play, but this is a fun thing for us and we want to share that with the students," Preece said.

Jenny Nulsen, a 15-year-old pianist, said she enjoys the experience of the chamber music festival.

"It's a great chance to meet other local musicians and a great chance to beef up your skills by playing with a group," Nulsen said.

According to violinist Emily Herman, 13, the festival is "not your average camp because it's more like a family."

Cellist Beth Turner, 13, said she chose to attend the festival for the second year because although the students work hard, they have just as much fun. She also said she liked being able to expand her knowledge beyond participation in the Bob Courtway Middle School orchestra.

"You get to have a lot of experience playing with instruments you wouldn't normally be playing in an orchestra setting," Turner said. "And this knowledge comes with you to the school year the experience in a group and knowing how all the pieces fit together."

Nulsen added previous experience with the festival has also helped the students grow as a group and as musicians.

"We are all getting better at playing and having been here before helps a lot," Nulsen said. "You can bring what you learned last year to the table."

Fifteen-year-old musician Andrew Russell said he enjoys the Faulkner Chamber Music Festival because playing as a team, without the lead of a conductor, has helped him learn to blend sounds.

"This festival also just opens us up to a different kind of music that we don't get to play often," Russell said.

Six chamber music ensembles were coached by Preece, her husband Will Preece, and their friend Geoffrey Robson.

(Staff writer Jessica Bauer can be reached by e-mail at jessica.bauer@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)