St Peter Claver Catholic School
“Because Ms. Trotter plays it at Mass every week.”
That simple statement from our kindergarteners captured something profound about the power of consistent, quality arts integration in Catholic education.
When Mercer University’s Open Strings Initiative visited SPCCS this week to present their interactive string quartet program, we anticipated excitement from our kindergarten, first, and second graders. What we didn’t anticipate was the immediate recognition and enthusiasm our students demonstrated when they saw the instruments.
Every child in attendance could identify the violin on sight. They didn’t learn this from a textbook or a screen - they learned it in music class and through weekly exposure to live instrumental music as part of our liturgical celebrations. Our music teacher, Ms. Trotter, faithfully plays violin at our school Masses, creating an unexpected but powerful foundation for today’s learning experience.
The Open Strings program brought professional musicians into direct contact with our youngest learners. Students didn’t just observe from a distance; they touched real instruments, asked questions, and experienced the resonance of live classical music performed just feet away from where they sat. The program transformed abstract concepts into tangible experiences, making the mechanics of string instruments accessible and exciting.
This visit exemplifies why art matters in elementary education. The combination of Ms. Trotter’s regular music instruction and liturgical performances with this visiting ensemble created a multiplier effect - prior exposure enhanced engagement, and professional instruction deepened understanding. Our students weren’t passive recipients of a performance; they were active participants building on knowledge they’d already begun acquiring through their regular school experience.
The partnership between SPCCS and Mercer University’s Open Strings initiative demonstrates how community collaboration can enrich student learning. We’re grateful for programs that recognize the importance of bringing live, professional arts experiences directly to young students, and expanding their horizons.
Thank you, Mercer University, for investing in our children’s musical education. And thank you, Ms. Trotter, for making every Mass - and every music class - a beautiful learning opportunity.
