Good Beginnings Inspire Lifelong Artists
As the conductor of the MYS String Orchestra since 1997, Patricia Kelly brings both expertise and passion for introducing young string players to the joy of orchestral playing. Her rehearsals are heavy on string pedagogy such as shifting, thumb placement, and playing in tune, while also emphasizing ensemble skills such as playing together, listening across the orchestra, and watching the conductor. However, she dispels any notion that these are merely beginner concepts: “These are the same skills they work on in the Minnesota Orchestra. You continue to work on the skills at different levels of expertise.” She views String Orchestra—the first level in the MYS system—as the foundation for a lifetime of musical growth.
For Ms. Kelly, a key factor in String Orchestra’s effectiveness is its broad age range. All members demonstrate through audition that they have similar levels of musical skill, but at the same time, they are at various stages of development and maturation. She explains, "around age 12, you start bursting out of your individual little bubble. You start seeing how you fit into the world around you." This creates a unique dynamic: younger students may “have a huge vibrato . . . but have a hard time internalizing the beat,” while older students often bring more ensemble experience and can better follow the conductor. "They really do help each other.” This symbiotic relationship among diverse players allows Ms. Kelly to program challenging repertoire that engages students of all ages.
Beyond providing a solid foundation of orchestral training, Ms. Kelly makes a point to prioritize fun during rehearsals. "We do have joke time, and they like to tell their jokes. If I ever forget, they remind me," she admits. She recalls Maya Angelou’s quote, “. . . people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s Ms. Kelly’s hope that students leave String Orchestra feeling happy, seen, and respected, with the motivation to keep playing for the rest of their lives.
Ms. Kelly sees String Orchestra as more than just a step towards the next level. She strives to help her students understand their feelings and develop as artists. “It’s so important to have artists in this world, and that’s why I love teaching. These are my peeps! They might be young, but when you’re an artist, age doesn’t matter.”
Dr. Patricia Kelly is the MYS String Orchestra Conductor.
