Violinist Has the Pluck to Compose a Kids’ Orchestra

After moving from New York to South Pasadena three years ago, violinist Susan Pascale stopped by her neighborhood elementary school to register her second-grade daughter for the basics -- reading, writing, arithmetic and, of course, orchestra.

There was just one problem: Budget woes had forced the school district to cut its K-6 strings program. If Pascale, 45, wanted her daughter to learn music while in elementary school, she would have to sign up for the school band.

“I was really appalled and devastated,” said Pascale, who started playing the violin when she was in the fourth grade. “The orchestra program didn’t start until middle school. I said, ‘I’m not waiting.... Let’s create an orchestra because there has to be one.’ ”

Pascale called district Supt. Michael Hendricks and offered to teach an after-school orchestra class for free for a month to see if anyone else was interested.

Within days, 25 youngsters signed up. Fifteen students stayed on a month later, after Pascale began charging about $100 in tuition per trimester.

Since then, Pascale’s parent-funded orchestra program has quadrupled -- giving children as young as 5 a chance to learn music.

Pascale’s efforts have reminded school officials and parents that with a little creativity and community support, it’s possible to teach elementary children the beauty of Bach in the public schools -- even during a budget crisis.

“Susan has done a really good job of getting parents to help with fund-raising efforts,” Hendricks said. “With the contacts she has made in the community, she has been able to really make that program grow.”

Pascale said she has drawn inspiration and solace from playing violin over the years. Her father played violin as a child and urged her to do the same. “I just liked it because my dad did it,” Pascale said. “But I grew to love it.”

Hoping to pursue a career in the arts, she studied at Mannes College of Music and Parsons School of Design in New York.

“I could never imagine not having music in my life,” said Pascale, who spent several years playing in the Toluca State Symphony in Mexico. “It’s always been there. I see how it sparks the kids. It’s very good for their self-esteem.”

Indeed, parent Toni Brown said she has seen a transformation in her 11-year-old daughter Amanda, who has been studying music with Pascale for the past 2 1/2 years.

“My daughter is a very shy kid,” Brown said. “This program has been great for her. It’s been a big part in building her confidence.”

Amanda said she simply likes the way the violin sounds.

“I practice an hour and a half every day,” Amanda said. “It just sounds pretty to me.”

During a recent afternoon, Pascale assembled two dozen of her best students at Marengo Elementary School to practice for a special community concert July 30 at the South Pasadena Senior Citizens Center.

Parent Cathy Perlmutter sat quietly behind the students, watching her 9-year-old son, Eli Weinstein, play his violin.

“Three years ago, my son was a kid with absolutely no musical interest whatsoever,” Perlmutter said. “He brought home Susan’s leaflet and said he wanted to take violin lessons. By the third week of class, there was no turning back. Now he walks around the house humming classical music.”

Pascale’s success lies largely in the fact that she makes the program fun. Children who practice are rewarded with Pokemon cards. (She said she pays her own son 10 cents a minute to practice.) Others who cannot be persuaded by material rewards are urged to call her every day for a pep talk.

“One student called to say that she had practiced 30 minutes and 16 seconds,” Pascale said.

She also varies the music: The children learn how to play pieces by Bach and Telemann. They also practice music from the Harry Potter movies, which the students enjoy almost as much as the books.

“I do pick challenging pieces,” Pascale said. “Usually there’s a mix of talent in the group. I don’t want the better kids to get bored and I want the less experienced kids to work harder.”

Student Doosoo Kim said he doesn’t mind the hard work. “You can’t sit around and watch TV every day,” he said. “You have to practice. One of the best things about it is playing with other people. They cover for you.”

Pascale said her goal is to eventually make South Pasadena’s orchestra program one of the strongest in the nation. Already, her efforts at the elementary level have strengthened the district’s middle school orchestra.

“I’d like to see this program popping up all over the place,” Pascale said. “Every school should have an orchestra. It’s a creative outlet. It’s an important part of life.”