Trish Symington is a professional, down-to-earth violinist who has dedicated the past 18 years to teaching young children to love music, especially the violin.
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I still get shivers down my spine thinking about standing in the hall at Umhlanga College listening to the school orchestra and choir’s rendition of Let It Go from Frozen. It was the purity of the violins that tugged at my heart, and that’s how I met Trish Symington, teacher extraordinaire.
Trish has taught violin and, more recently, cello at the school since 2005 when the then principal, Margo Reid, showed an interest in her programme. Trish says, “I will forever be grateful to Mrs Reid for sharing my vision, my passion and for giving me this opportunity at her school. Lessons were set during school time on a rotational system which proved to be a winning formula. Parents were equally excited and five pupils were enrolled immediately. Within a week this became 10 and then soon 20. As the school grew over the next few years, so did the violinists. We later added cello lessons and had, on average, about 65 string pupils a year.” The number now stand at over 100 string players ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 10 – not too shabby for a school with only 780 pupils.
Trish comes from a musical family and started playing the piano at an early age. Her parents then suggested she choose an additional musical instrument. Trish’s face lights up as she says, “It had to be the violin – the sound is so expressive and warm.”
At the time she was at Newcastle Primary which boasted a small violin group taught by Mrs Clutton. “Mrs Clutton taught me to play the violin in a gentle, nurturing way, instilling in me a deep love for the instrument. I, too, apply this method when I teach my students – through nurturing, with love, loads of patience and, of course, heaps of praise. It works!”
Having qualified in Pretoria, Trish played as a professional viola player for 12 years, experiencing the most fantastic symphony concerts, before going into full-time teaching. This extraordinary mother of two teenage sons somehow finds time to play the viola in the Tekweni String Quartet at weddings and anniversaries, plus brushing up on her cello skills as a cellist in the Durban City Orchestra. She also enjoys oil painting, reading, travelling and creating music arrangements.
“How on earth do you teach young children to play the violin?” I ask in awe. Trish bubbles with laughter. “Love, nurturing an interest and patience,” she says. “I am continually asking my sons what music is ‘cool’ at the moment, popular tunes that will resonate with my pupils. Although we do play classical repertoire, I find that popular songs are a big hit and children are enthusiastic about playing melodies they know and enjoy. This way they have fun, and learning is easy.”
An event that Trish sees as a highlight in her teaching career was when Umhlanga College recently hosted a concert called Side by Side Symphony where the senior primary orchestra and high school string group had the honour of performing intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana with The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Durban City Orchestra in a mass combined item. “It was an incredible opportunity, a highlight in my career and I’m sure it is an experience the children will also never forget.
“Most of my pupils are chosen to enter for ABRSM exams every year and they mostly progress to a Grade 4 level by the time they reach the end of senior primary. With our newly established high school, pupils now have the option of taking music as a matric subject. Over the years, many have been chosen for the KZN Youth Orchestra to represent their province, including those first ‘founder’ pupils, from whom I still get wonderful feedback. They still play their violins and appreciate the joy of making music. I’m so privileged. It’s wonderful to have played a part in their lives by way of making music.”
Trish Symington is unassuming and understated, forever lauding those around her for affording her such wonderful opportunities when, actually, it is they who should feel privileged that their lives have been touched by this multi-talented woman.
Trish and her family will soon be leaving South Africa for an “adventure” in England. “Doesn’t mean we’ll stay there forever,” says Trish. “In fact, I’m sure we’ll be back.” We all certainly hope so, Trish. *