Da capo
An Introduction to the Orchestra
Beginning in The COT's 2023-24 Season, Da Capo (meaning “from the beginning”) suggests that excitement for classical music begins at a young age.
Part of The COT’s mission is to empower young musicians of diverse backgrounds, and that mission begins with The COT's Durham Fellows visiting 3rd graders in Durham Public Schools and Orange County Schools systems through Da Capo.
As of March 2024, The Fellows visited each third grade class at all 9 partnering schools twice, as listed below in order of date visited:
Little River K-8*
E. K. Powe Elementary*
Parkwood Elementary*
Easley Elementary
Southwest Elementary*
Lyons Farm Elementary
Pathways Elementary*
Club Boulevard Elementary*
Central Elementary
* Indicates Title I School
How Da Capo Works
Visit 1
The first visit to each class consists of a string quartet arrangement of Strauss’s “Overture to die Fledermaus,” and focuses on introducing the instruments of a string quartet, their range, the different sounds they can make and how they work together.
Key terms include melody, harmony, dynamics, pizzicato, forte, and piano.
At a visit in November, Spectrum News interviewed Tim Parham (violin) for a story about diversity and opportunity in American orchestras. The story ran on Nov. 27th, 2023. To view the story, click above!
Visit 2
The second visit combines all the third grade classes in an assembly, and introduces the concept of music as a narrative after reviewing concepts from the first visit. Students have a chance to imagine what’s happening at the beginning, middle, and end of a story as they listen to the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution of Haydn’s “Fifths” string quartet.
On February 7, 2024, Indy Week covered the Fellows’ work for Da Capo at their visit to Southwest Elementary school. To view the story, click here!
Visit 3: COT Education Concert
The program culminates in a field trip to the Carolina Theatre of Durham, during which all participating schools make up the audience for a full orchestra concert.
On March 11, 2024, The COT hosted its first-ever education concert with 100% participation from partner schools. Transportation to and from the theatre was paid for by The COT.
The concert itself introduces each section of the orchestra, and students get to hear a melody line from each instrument. Led by principal conductor Niccoló Muti, the concert reinforces concepts from the first and second visits.
COT Musicians demonstrate the different pitches of the woodwind and brass instruments, which the students have not yet encountered during the Da Capo program.
Da Capo in Action!
Testimonials
"The Da Capo program has been a terrific experience for our students! Our 3rd graders genuinely love learning from these amazing and professional musicians!"
- Kayla Curran, Lyons Farm Elementary
"Da Capo has been a wonderful addition to our third-grade music curriculum. The in-person visits have allowed students the chance to see orchestral instruments up close and meet musicians who look like them that love to play classical music. I'm very grateful for the Da Capo fellows and all they have done for my students!"
- Jessica Tanner, E.K. Powe
"Our visits from the [Durham Fellows] String Quartet have become one of the highlights of the school year. It's every music teacher's dream to be able to have quality, diverse, engaging musicians come into the classroom and we have just that with the Da Capo quartet. My students are gaining not only an incredible amount of first-hand musical knowledge, but also seeing themselves reflected in the musicians and getting a glimpse at the possibilities for their own lives."
- Amanda Haas, Easley Elementary
"The Da Capo program is a highlight for the 3rd graders at our school. The sessions are fun and engaging with lots of interaction with the musicians and opportunities for the students to respond to what they hear in the music. I love that my students get an up-close and personal experience with a live performance that gives a huge boost to their curiosity and knowledge-base for music."
- Wayne Wilson, Pathways Elementary
"Being part of the Da Capo program has been incredible. Our students love seeing the instruments being played. The musicians are enthusiastic, inspiring, and do such a great job of sharing their love of music in a child appropriate way. We are so lucky to partner with such a wonderful program!"
- Luke Hoffman, Durham Academy
"I have had the pleasure of participating in the Da Capo program for the last 2 years and was part of the trial program 3 years ago with the Verona Quartet. It is a highlight of my year when the Durham Fellows come out to my school because my students get so much out of the experience. The musicians themselves are warm and personable and engage my students immediately. The Da Capo program also does such a great job with the programming and planning. The music they choose is varied, but always intentionally chosen to TEACH my students an important musical concept. It is truly an educational experience for my kids and they enjoy every second of it."
- Carrie Kirlauski, Little River Elementary