When National Symphony Orchestra conductor Leonard Slatkin was little, he would hole up in his bedroom, put on a record, shine some light on himself and watch his shadow on the wall as he conducted. Growing up in a musical family, as well as having some good music teachers along the way, helped him become who he is today, Slatkin told students at Fairhill Elementary in Fairfax.
"I would encourage you, if you really love the music, stay at it," said Slatkin to Fairhill students.
Slatkin visited Fairhill last Monday to conduct master classes for the strings, the band and the chorus. Afterward, he spoke at an assembly relating his childhood experiences with music.
He told students to listen to all different kinds of music, as he likes to listen to everything, including jazz and Latin music on his way to work.
"I think it's important to hear as much as possible," Slatkin said.
When Slatkin was in fourth grade in Los Angeles, he had a music teacher, Mrs. Otto, who would come to school with her autoharp and teach music to the students. When Slatkin visited the school two weeks ago, he was dismayed to find out that the school's music program no longer exists.
"You have something terrific. You have great teachers who love music, and they love to teach it to all of you," Slatkin said.
DURING THE MASTER CLASS for the chorus, Slatkin told students to think about the words they're singing and keep their energy.
"It's not just about the notes here, it's the music itself," Slatkin said.
Kevin Carr, choral director and music teacher, thought the master class for the fifth- and sixth-grade chorus was helpful for the students.
"He's instilled a sense of pride within them, and that can turn into better music making," Carr said.
Slatkin's visit wasn't to encourage more students to grow up to be musicians, he said. Slatkin wanted to see music education continue in the schools. Several years ago, he approached the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to preserve a fourth-grade strings program from the budget ax, which the Board eventually did.
"I don't think there's anything more important than public education for the arts. ... For me, it's seeing the next generation of listeners," Slatkin said.