Winston-Salem Symphony musicians greet elementary students on first day of school

A string trio welcomed students as they entered the halls of Marvin Ward Elementary School for the first day of school on Monday morning. 

The musicians are with a program called the Piedmont Learning Academy for Youth, or P.L.A.Y. which is part of the Winston-Salem Symphony’s education outreach. They teach second and third-graders at Ward during their music classes. 

“It's amazing how fast they learn and how good they get," Principal Colin Tribby said. "And so that's why I say, I'm like, ‘You're welcome, middle school orchestra directors,’ because there's definitely going to be some really strong string players coming out of Ward."

Starting this year they’ll also be offering an after-school club for fourth grade students to keep learning their instruments. 

But on Monday, they provided a soothing backdrop for the usual excitement, occasional tears and jitters that come with the first day of school — and that doesn’t only apply to the kids. 

“Oh, I slept a little bit," said Ariel Barker, the new music teacher at Ward. "I didn't get a chance to actually pull over and get some coffee, but I think my nerves are doing that enough for me right now.” 

This was her first day too, and she said it got off to a good start. 

“It's just great that all these kids from all different types of backgrounds get to come in and see this and know that if they want that opportunity to play that type of instrument, they have that chance," she said.

Barker spent the morning in the hallway with the musicians, greeting children and their parents with a wave and a smile.

“I'm most excited to just build those relationships and those connections with each student and their families," she said.

Teacher Assistant Jackie Phillips said she was looking forward to seeing her former students. She spent Monday morning outside at the car line, welcoming children to school with hugs and high-fives. 

“Honestly, they all look like they have grown at least two or three inches," Phillips said of some of her old students now in fifth grade. "Like, oh my God, you're taller than me. And this will be their last year, and they'll be going into sixth grade." 

She starts to miss them already, thinking about their eventual transition to middle school. But she's excited to meet all of her new students too. 

Five-year-old Sanari is one of them. She could hardly wait to start her first day of Kindergarten, and summed up her feelings in just one word: "Happy."

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.