HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. 3-Lesson 30Have you ever heard a symphony orchestra play? A symphony orchestra is a large
group of musicians who play the same song on different instruments. Some of these
instruments are violins, cellos, fl utes, trumpets, cymbals, and drums. When played
together, these instruments can create loud powerful sounds, or faint, soft sounds, or
any sort of sounds in between. Going to hear the symphony is an experience that few
people ever forget.
Did you know that children can play in symphony orchestras? These young musicians
play their instruments with fl air, or their own personal style. They work hard to perfect
their craft, learning to become better musicians.
No matter how old they are, all musicians have to try out for the chance to become
part of an orchestra. Orchestra leaders do not always choose the best players. Instead,
they look for players who are willing to work hard to become the greatest players
they can be. Members must go to practice sessions every week and perform in many
concerts throughout the year. Many orchestras even perform in other countries.
Youth orchestras help young musicians expand their repertoires. Every concert
includes new pieces of music that the orchestra hasn’t played before, so members
learn many new pieces of music. They may even learn to play some of the most diffi cult
pieces of music. These pieces require young musicians to employ all of the skills they
have learned. After they have learned the piece, they can add it to the list of songs
they are able to play!
In addition to playing with youth symphony orchestras, some young musicians
study with a mentor. Mentors are like teachers or coaches who help someone learn.
Professional musicians can teach young musicians how to become better at their
instruments. They give them feedback about what they are doing right and what needs
improvement. A young musician may even become an apprentice to a professional
musician. He or she will study with this musician for a long time. The young musician’s
goal is to a become professional musician when he or she gets older.
These young people work hard to become the best musicians they can be. The pursuit
of excellence, however, is only part of the reason they work so hard. Many people believe
that the real reward is the opportunity to do what they love—play music!
COMPREHENSION What words in this passage describe how young musicians
learn? How can youth orchestras help young musicians achieve their goals?
Musical Achievements
58
59
Josie rushed into the classroom. It was Career Day, and she was eager to
meet the relatives of her classmates who had come to speak about their jobs.
Last week, Josie wanted to be a poet. The week before that, she wanted to be
an architect. Maybe hearing the grownups speak about their careers would give
her a better idea of what she wanted to be when she grew up.
Each speaker gave a short talk. The fi rst was an entrepreneur who started
a company that sold skateboards you could change into scooters. “My parents
taught me to not be afraid of trying new things,” the entrepreneur announced.
“Having this kind of background made it easier to start my own company. I
knew I could fail and lose my money, but I still wanted to try.” Josie imagined
starting her own company. She could make sneakers with springs in them and
everyone could bounce down the street.
The next speaker was a doctor. Her specialty was delivering babies. When
Josie heard that, she decided that medicine might be perfect for her. The idea
of bringing babies into the world made her smile.
A reporter took the microphone next. He said that reporters needed to be
effi cient at writing stories quickly in order to meet deadlines. He also said that
by asking sharp questions, someone can take one big step toward qualifying as
a reporter. Josie thought she might make a good reporter. After all, didn’t her
family say she never stopped asking questions?
Then a tall woman with gray hair strode to the front of the room. This woman
once played baseball professionally, in the position of pitcher. She said she
loved throwing the ball hard and helping her teammates win. But she also told
the students that mastering their schoolwork was more important than winning
a game. “If you want to earn good wages and bring home enough income,” the
woman said, “then the best advice I can give you is to work hard at school.”
Josie loved to play baseball, but she had never thought of it as a career
before! Her mind fl ashed to the future, where she stood on the pitcher’s mound
in a crowded baseball stadium. Maybe she could speak to kids in schools, too.
She liked that idea.
COMPREHENSION Why does Josie think she would be good at each job
she hears about? What words about jobs did you hear in this story?
60
61