We asked three members of our clarinet class to let you know a little bit about their class and their experience at Tune Up Philly. These are written by a 3rd, 4th and 5th grader. Let me introduce you to our guest bloggers: Marneisha, Marcus, and Ta’Asia.
This week’s bloggers: Marcus, Ta’Asia and Marneisha.
Ta’Asia – 9 years old, 3rd Grade, North Philly
My name is Ta’Asia and I play clarinet. I really enjoy my instrument because its a real joy. I really really respect Ms. Agnes because she is my teacher. Ms. Delia and Mr.Paul are really good musicians and role models. Tune Up Philly is a really good program and to me is an honor to be in it. My fellow classmates are Marneisha, Marcus, Turae and Emmanuel and they are a real help to me. I really enjoy my instrument, friends, teachers and Tune Up Philly. I hope that some people out there reading this will consider coming to visit Tune Up Philly.
Marneisha -10 years old, 4th Grade, North Philly
Tune Up Philly is the best. I play the clarinet. It is awesome. My teacher is Ms. Agnes. She is the best. And some times we have Ms. Delia. Ms. Delia play the clarinet too. All my classmates are pretty cool. And we do lots of trips and concerts too. I can play things like Frosty the Snowman, Mary had a little lamb, twinkle twinkle little star and silent night and I can play more. Tune Up Philly is great and I like it. We go on trips like the library. My mom came to that trip and I think we sounded good. So did she. We also had summer classes. We played Billie Jean. And Mr. Paul helps Miss Delia and makes his own songs for us.
Marcus – 11, 5th Grade, Fairmount
I think Tune Up Philly is a great program because we sometimes play fun songs and the clarinet is the best because it play lower than the flute and it has many scales you can play. My best friend is class is Manny he is kinda like the class clown. The others in my class are Marneisha, Ta’Asia and Turae. Marneisha is a nice girl. Ta’Asia is an awesome friend to have and to tell secrets to. Turae is kinda like Manny but she is a girl so sometimes not as funny. I am kind and nice.
Tune Up Philly 
Marcus: everyone knows that girls are not as funny as boys. But I’m glad you’re kind and nice and that you play the clarinet, my favorite instrument! Walter Ebmeyer, Bryn Mawr
All three of you: I am a clarinet player (and clarinet teacher) too. Clarinet rocks! It can play so many different styles of music. I too chose because it was lower than the flute and because everyone else was choosing to play the flute and I wanted to be different (and the school was running out of flutes to offer people). I am so glad I made that choice (back when I was 7 years old) because after I’d been playing awhile and could play more challenging pieces, I realised that the clarinet had some really gutsy, intense, repertoire choices. It has brought me a lot of joy in my life. I’m glad it is doing that for you three as well.