AIKEN --- With hands clasped under their chins and eyes shining, more than 50 fourth-grade pupils at East Aiken Elementary School listened as The Simpsons' theme song was played for them.
Hands stretched toward the ceiling after children were asked to identify the tune the Augusta Symphony members had played.
As part of The Science of Sound exploratory program, symphony members go to area schools to explain how their instruments are made and how they work. Pupils are also treated to performances of classical music and familiar movie and TV themes.
"They always have interesting questions," violinist Ryan Kho said of the visits with schoolchildren.
Common inquiries include how much members make, how long they've played the instrument, and the cost of instruments and upkeep. One pupil wondered if violinists broke a string because they played so much that it got hot and caught on fire.
The program exposes children to instruments that might not be found in an everyday music class. The string quartet at East Aiken discussed the types of wood used to make violins and cellos and even covered tuning and pitches.
"We've changed the program some as we have new outlines, and we'll put in new jokes, but we're still trying to have that exposure to what we do," violinist Laura Tomlin said.
The Murphy M. Holloway Jr. Symphony in Schools Program has been available for almost 20 years in Aiken County. The Augusta Symphony also provides more than 150 educational opportunities and lectures throughout each school year to more than 15 counties.
Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.
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