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At First Presbyterian Day School, learning music education starts young. Here's how they inspire and excite

Learning music can be like learning another language. Kids at our school of the week, First Presbyterian Day School, start learning about music at 3 years old.

MACON, Ga. — Cora Attaway, 4th grader at First Presbyterian Day School, had a chance to learn different instruments through her school's elementary strings program.

She's played the recorder, xylophone, piano, percussion instruments and violin, which she's passionate about

"It's my number one instrument," Attaway said.

Brayden Hutcheson strings teacher says 3- and 4-year-olds get to learn percussion, then start learning note reading and the violin in kindergarten. 

"1st grade we have a big focus on drums and reading rhythm. 2nd grade has a big focus on xylophones, 3rd grade we learn piano, and in 4th grade we learn the recorder. 5th grade they choose band or chorus," says Hutcheson.

Hutcheson says learning how to read music is similar to learning another language. It also tunes other skills like math.

"When we first start and we're just reading rhythms it's all about math. We're dealing with numbers a lot and fractions. Different notes get different lengths of beats.. I've heard so many stories of people that wish they knew how to play an instrument, that wish they started when they were younger or wish they kept with it," Hutcheson explained.

Overall Hutcheson wants the kids to enjoy playing instruments and the sound of music. Attaway plans on continuing to show off her violin skills in middle school.

"It means a lot to me. I just think it's really fun to do," Attaway said.

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