Dovid needs a fun but productive activity after a long school day. Miri wants to learn how to play Jewish songs on the piano. Yaakov is looking for some professional tips before he sings at his sister’s chupa. Two cousins, one on keyboard and one on drums, learn to play together. A bar mitzva boy records his original composition with the help of a recording engineer. These are just a sampling of the students enrolled in the Zemer School of Music. Established over seven years ago with the encouragement of Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer, who felt that the youth of our community would benefit from this positive outlet, Zemer School offers lessons in a wide variety of instruments, including keyboard, drums, saxophone, flute, violin, guitar, and voice.
Zemer School focuses on finding the path for each student to have a productive and enjoyable outlet and to experience success while developing music skills. Some children already know what instrument they want to learn, while others meet with an instructor to help them choose which one to start with. Some students benefit most from a structured classical music education, while others need a more flexible approach. At times, students find it challenging to practice regularly, but they enjoy the sessions with a musician who works closely with them to develop their music skills in a fun way at each session. Most of the students are interested in popular Jewish music, and their favorite songs serve as a motivation for practicing. Overall, the school strives to identify the needs, strengths, and goals of each student and works with each one to give him or her the best experience possible.
“I designed the school based on my own experience as a kid,” observes Nossi Gross, the school’s founder. “I wasn’t a great fit for the traditional classroom, but my father noticed early on that I had an affinity for music. He brought home a used drum set and found an instructor. I credit my father with starting me on a path that gave me not only a hobby but purpose, self-definition, and confidence. I know firsthand what music can do for a frum kid growing up, and I try to make it possible for each of our students to benefit from music like I did.”
Studies on the benefits of music instruction bear out Nossi Gross’ experience. An article from California Music Studios about music and self-confidence explains that the effort involved in learning a piece of music, making mistakes, and eventually mastering it builds confidence and gives students a sense of accomplishment. Further, music instruction can be modified specifically to a student’s level of ability and then incrementally adjusted to greater levels of difficulty so that students can experience the challenge that matches their current skill set and the joy of accomplishment at its successful completion. For students who find the classroom a challenging environment, music instruction can be irreplaceable in maintaining a sense of worth and giving them a positive source for building their identities.
“We receive a lot of feedback that confirms this,” says Nossi.
One mother of a Zemer student commented, “After a long hard day at school, it’s so nice to see my son smiling and feeling good about himself.” Zemer School often sends students recordings or videos of their lessons that can be shared with family and friends. This way, students can get some well-deserved praise and positive reinforcement. The school has received many wonderful responses in return:
“Wow. The smile at the end is the best part!”
“That was amazing! I love seeing how happy and chilled out he looks when he plays.”
“Thank you! My wife and I enjoyed it! It sounds like he has made a lot of progress, b”H, in a few weeks, and he is very motivated and enjoying the lessons.”
Recently, a student performed at his aunt’s wedding after working with a Zemer School instructor in preparation. His parents sent the following note: “Thank you so much for all the time you spent with our son so that he could perform at both his aunt’s and uncle’s respective weddings. It meant a ton to him and made him feel really great. We know you had a tight schedule, especially during the summer wedding season, and your efforts to squeeze him in did not go unnoticed. You should be zoche to be able to go forward making kids feel happy, confident, and special.”
In addition to instilling self-esteem and confidence, music instruction is known to enhance academic ability. Learning music involves the ability to differentiate between sounds, a skill that is also a part of language processing. When studying music, a student learns to encode sounds quickly as the notes often change in rapid succession. Studies have found that in these ways, music lessons, even for short periods of time, have improved cognitive processing, speech, reading and math skills, and overall academic performance. Remarkably, these improved skills seem to continue even after music instruction ends; many of the language processing skills that develop and improve during grade school music training remain into adulthood.
Along with increased academic success, music skills also have social benefits. “Zemer Orchestra began as Zemer Achim (translated as Tune of Brothers). We were two groups of brothers playing music together and growing up together. We remain lifelong friends,” recalls Nossi, who hopes to see more Zemer students learning to play together. For his own students, Nossi often plays along so they become accustomed to playing music with another musician.
Taught by local musicians from Zemer Orchestra and beyond, Zemer School of Music is designed specifically in keeping with the needs and sensitivities of the frum community. Instructors serve as positive role models. As the school administrator notes, “We make every effort to match each student with the most appropriate teacher, who will serve as a role model both musically and personally.” Lessons are offered in both local studios and in students’ homes to accommodate the schedules of busy families.
Zemer School of Music offers its students both classic Jewish tunes and the latest popular songs that are often heard at Jewish concerts and weddings. The sheet music provided for instruction is taken from Zemer Orchestra’s extensive and continually updated Jewish music collection and is adapted to each student’s level of ability. Specific song requests by students are accommodated as well.
Many students have already benefited from the music instruction offered by Zemer School of Music. Instructors you’ll recognize from the bandstand and the community, sheet music for almost every Jewish tune past and present, and the goal of providing students with a positive and productive musical experience within the context of Jewish values – all this and more come together at Zemer School of Music.
For more information about Zemer School of Music, please call 240-389-3115, or email zemerschoolofmusic@gmail.com.
