Melodies in the making

Rutherford third graders are making music with instruments they made themselves. Students worked with guest artist and Scandinavian musician, Ross Sutter, to build dulcimers - stringed instruments inspired by a traditional Swedish design.

The project, which is funded by the Rutherford PTA, is not only a lesson in music. The kids also learn the science of sound by understanding how frets and strings alter the pitch, while incorporating art by decorating the instruments. When the simple, single-stringed dulcimers were finished the students learned simple melodies, harmonies and baselines to songs and performed for their families.