The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra plans to start more student string bands in Leon County's Title One schools. The first of those bands gave a triumphant concert the evening of Monday, April 29.
The group is called "Murdock's Lil' Mozarts," Murdock being the cartoon mascot dog of Sabal Palm Elementary School.
The original group of third through fifth grade violinists has come a long way in the past year and a second band's been started. Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Manager Mandy Stringer said the program will soon expand to Pineview Elementary School and beyond.
"So we have a very nice grant from the Jack Arlene Foundation, which is based in Tampa. And we'll be expanding next year. We're working with the (Leon School)District to make sure there are programs in the middle schools these 2 (elementary) schools feed into."
Stringer explained numerous studies show playing a musical instrument helps students do better in academics and many othe areas.
