Vandrese class


*Lewisville Leader Star March 8, 2003* Teacher spurs students through Symphony program Durham Middle School students Josh Ehring and Rachel Utley recently won a unique competition that their music teacher created as part of the Lewisville Lake Symphony's Student Rewards program. The program provides Lewisville ISD music teachers with free tickets that can be used by students and their parents. The Symphony lets the teachers decide how to award the tickets. The two winning musicians are part of Kari Zamora's sixth- and seventh-grade beginners class at Durham. "We recently had a 'play down' for the tickets in the beginner's class," said Zamora, the school's orchestra director. "I used a particular song and kept increasing the metronome marking until I had two students left standing - Josh, who is learning bass, and Rachel, who is a violinist. "I use the tickets in different ways. In some classes, I use them as a reward for excellent posture, good rehearsal attitude, etc. Some of my ticket allotment is reserved for students who have put in hard work in their practice time. Availability of the students and parents is my biggest hurdle, so if they win the tickets and take two home and realize that they cannot attend, they're required to bring them back to me so that I can find a good use for them." The Lewisville Lake Symphony, sponsors the Student Rewards program in cooperation with the LISD's performing arts department. ©Lewisville Leader 2003 Durham Orchestra's own web site
Ms. Zamora's 6th and 7th grade beginners at Durham Middle School
Ms. Zamora steadily increases the speed of the metronome at the back of the class . The last two players that manage to keep up with the device win Symphony Student Reward tickets for themselves and their parents.

Winners Josh Ehring....	...and Rachel Utley
Photos: Ian Cleghorn