RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - How many parents wish their children would practice 50 minutes each day to reinforce the piano lessons that cost up to $200 a month?
Eighteen Russellville Middle School students are doing just that, but without the cost.
"I think it's a hidden gem of Russellville," said second-year teacher Kristen Foster.
Foster has written the curriculum for this keyboarding class, unique to Mid-Missouri.
"I always wanted to be a teacher, but I debated in what," Foster said. "Then I decided I wanted to do something fun every day - music is that for me."
Last year, Foster, a cellist, helped with the seventh-grade band, in addition to teaching general music classes. When the schedule changed for this school year, she thought a piano class would fill a need.
Having taken piano lessons since first grade, "this is a better fit for me as a teacher," she said.
Also, "it gives kids a different opportunity other than band."
Many students have inquired about private piano lessons, but they lacked either the time, the money or the place to learn, Foster said.
Thanks to community gifts and some school budget money, the class has 14 keyboards in various forms.
"We wouldn't be able to offer the class without the donations," Foster said.
So, these seventh- and eighth-graders are learning at their own level and pace.
Some have studied piano for years; others are band students who already know how to read music. And a few have had little exposure.
Seventh-grader Gabe Little signed up for the class to improve on his one-handed ability to play a few songs, he said. What he needed was the committed time to work on it.
"I'm better now," he said. By the end of the year, "I'll be able to show off a lot more."
Piano is a foundational instrument for learning any other, Foster said. So after this year, the students will be better prepared to play another instrument or perhaps play the piano for others.
"Piano lights up every section of the brain cognitively," Foster said, because the player is forced to read more than one line and draw from both the mathematical and creative sides. "I like to think that other teachers will benefit."
Each student follows a personalized set of goals at his or her own pace, Foster explained.
Eighth-grader Holly Brennecke has been studying piano for about six years. After a quarter in the class, "now, I'm closer to my mom's level."
Although it may look chaotic with 18 students wearing headphones, sitting at keyboards or sifting through sheet music independently, there's a routine, Brennecke said.
"You focus on your own task," she explained.
When students feel they have mastered a song or skill, they place a green card on the edge of the keyboard. Similarly, a red card tells Foster a student needs help and a yellow card means "don't disturb," explained seventh-grader Alex Metcalf.
"You don't have to stop and raise your hand," Metcalf said.
Seventh-grader Hailee Smith was capable of playing songs by ear. Now, she has been able to learn quickly how to play by sheet music, particularly to understand the bass clef, she said.
"This is one of my favorite classes," Smith said.
She is grateful "to have the chance to love to play an instrument without having to pay for all the lessons.
"It's important; we need to have something to do."