Symphony musicians visit elementary school
by Tony Reed
Posted on 4/22/26 by Siuslaw News
Bailey Schmidt teaching student to play trombone.
Students at Siuslaw Elementary school got a special visit on April 16 from professional musicians with the Eugene Symphony, along with the chance to make some musical noise.
Called the “Instrument Petting Zoo,” the day allowed professional musicians to spend time with students, individually showing them instruments and how to make basic notes with them.
Katy Vizdal, Education & Community Engagement Director with the Eugene Symphony Association explained that the project was originally developed in collaboration with the Siuslaw Middle & High School Band Director Ed Restivo, and with the previous Siuslaw Elementary Music Teacher Amanda Sarles.
“We’re partnering this school year to bring a series of engaging music education experiences and live performances to Siuslaw students, at a time when the elementary music teacher position is vacant, and the district faces tough budgeting decisions for next year,” she said. “This is the first time Eugene Symphony has come into Siuslaw schools to do an instrument petting zoo. The kids this year don't have an elementary music teacher at the school. It's a position that is vacant this year, and typically, the middle school band director could come over to the elementary school and do a showcase like this, but the reality is that most band teachers don't have time. Mr. Restivo is also the band teacher at the high school.”
Vizdal explained that after discussing options with Mr. Restivo, the symphony opted to partner with him to support music education and bring musicians over to get kids excited about making music.
In two classrooms, musicians, along with Mr. Restivo, introduced kids to a variety of instruments, including a tuba, trumpet, trombone, saxophone and flute. Students giggled aloud when Cari Earnhardt demonstrated the lowest note possible from a tuba. Others broke out in wide smiles when they were finally able to get a loud, clear note or two from the flute. Mouths opened wide when kids heard Bailey Schmidt playing the Star Wars theme on trombone.
Principal Flute Kristen Halay showing student how to play the flute.
Students of Siuslaw Elementary playing trombone and trumpet.
When Vizdal asked musicians, including Mr. Restivo, when they started playing an instrument, almost all said they were in the 6th grade. Vizdal reminded the 5th Grade students that they could also start playing in band class next year.
Musicians sanitized the instruments between uses and encouraged students to play them loudly. Students were given a checklist to mark off, which were later cashed in for ice cream.
Vizdal said additional partnership activities include middle and high school field trips to Eugene Symphony performances at the Hult Center in April and May, and ongoing group music coaching for middle and high school students throughout June.
supported by local foundations, the Roundhouse Foundation and Western Lane Community Foundation.
The following Monday, an ensemble of Eugene Symphony performers came to the school to perform for students. The performance took place after print deadline and a full feature is pending.