Take a Bow: Strings Program at SPH LV

On April 28, the annual strings concert is back with a new catchy name, Stringism! We are happy to have Pak Andri and Ibu Priscilla, our new strings teachers, share about the recent annual concert, their approach to music teaching, and their vision for the strings program at SPH LV.

Hi Pak Andri & Ibu Priscilla! Could you please tell us more about yourself and your background?

We both graduated and majored in music. Andri took general music education and Pris took piano performance. We both met 13 years ago, and we have been co-teaching until today.

Andri: I have been playing music since I was 4. Now I do strings conducting and I play instruments such as violin, viola, as well as piano and guitar occasionally. I started teaching music in 2002. For me, teaching music is not just a choice, but it’s a calling.

Priscilla: I have been playing music since I was 2. There was a piano in my living room, and I couldn’t leave it alone. Now, I play piano, cello, violin, and contrabass, and I also love music writing and ear training. I started my career in music teaching in 2004.

How was the preparation for the Annual Strings Concert this year?

At first, we decided to have an online concert, so we prepared everything with an online mindset: selfrecording, pushing everyone to meet their deadlines, and final editing. However, in the middle of the process, the decision switched to a hybrid setting where most students could meet in person.

While preparing the online content, we started meeting students face to face. Weekly, we had to practice in up to six separate rooms simultaneously, rehearsed independently, and with our teachers checking them alternately. It was indeed a roller-coaster ride, yet a memorable process!

Pak Andri: Strings Teacher at Sekolah Pelita Harapan Lippo Village

A courtesy of Sekolah Pelita Harapan

In day-to-day learning, how do you support students’ growth and nurture their passion as future musicians?

We think it’s important to equip students with the correct mindsets in music: growth and progress. Growth happens in every experience, whether through personal practice sessions, rehearsals, small or big performances, and competitions.

We influence students to be mindful every time they learn and play where they have to pour their hearts and souls.

That way, we hope they can maintain and even grow their passion for music even after they no longer see their music teachers regularly.

Ibu Priscilla: Strings teacher at Sekolah Pelita Harapan Lippo Village

A courtesy of Sekolah Pelita Harapan

What vision do you have for SPH LV’s Strings program – knowing that SPH has quite an extensive String Ensemble history?

We hope all our students can enjoy music and express their God-given talents with their musically-trained brains and souls. We will continue building their skills in the strings department as well as expanding their musical knowledge through a more thorough musical analysis and playing experiences through an orchestral approach.

We also envision students who understand that everyone has talent, no matter big or small, and use that talent with full responsibility to be fruitful and bless others. They should not aim for perfection – for mistakes are human – but focus on hard work and striving to be the best versions of themselves.