Weekday
The weekly feature page of the University Daily Kansan October 25,1978
Signing backwards to give the group a more exact image of the song being performed, director Nancy Fording Crews also must set the mood for each selection.
The children slowly file onto the stage to face the audience. A bit apprehensive, their movements are somewhat stilted. All eyes are on the director, Nancy Fording Crews.
Crews lifts her hands and the concert begins.
All is quiet.
The audience is somewhat shocked as the first sounds of the music enter their ears. It is not melodious. However, the hand movements of the performers are as beautiful and graceful as a swan's movements.
The Singing Fingers are from the Kansas School for the Deaf. In Oathe, and they "sing" with their fingers.
The concert, performed recently at St. Mark's Church Overland Park, was the first one to be presented by the band.
"WE PERFORM from four to eight concerts a month during the nineteen-month school year," Gwen Jones Starner, who accompanies the group on piano, says.
Starner started the Singing eight years ago and joined her two years later and the group was expanded.
"we perform all over Kansas and in the Kansas City, Mo., area," Starner said.
The Singing Fingers performs for church groups, retirement homes, colleges and women's organizations.
"We even sang the National Anthem at Kemper
Arena at a Kansas City Kings basketball game."
Starmer and Crews said that entertainment was a secondary goal of the group.
"The biggest thing this group does is show that deaf people enjoy music, too," Starrer said.
The group, which consists of four boys and ten girls, also learn to develop a sense of responsibility as well as responsibility.
According to Starrer, the things the children learn are invaluable to them when they graduate from the school.
BUT THE LEARNING process isn't just a one-way street.
The people that experience a concert by the children will increase their understanding of deft people. Starmer says
"We lost a lot of our fear about hearing loss by mixing," she said.
After each concert, the public is encouraged to visit with the children. The children, ranging in ages from nine to 14 years old, can read tips. Their speech, although indistinct, can be understood.
"I can't understand you because you speak too fast."
Gary Schultz, 14, told a visitor. The visitor corrected
him. "I don't have the right to answer."
According to Crews, The Singing Fingers has about 50 to 60 songs in their repertoire. The students practice two to three hours a week learning the words and converting them to the sign language of the deaf.
WHEN CREWS teaches the songs in sign language, she reveres her hand movements so the children see them.
"I have to practice everyday to keep from making mistakes," she said.
Starrer said that the students in the group realized there was a conflict with another school event the teacher had organized.
"When the kids try out for the group in the spring, they know how much time it will take," she said.
The children must also be able to keep up with their school work in addition to the rehearsals.
"If they can't keep their grades up, they're dropped from the group." "Starrer said."
THE LAST SONG OF the St. Mark's concert was "The Lord's Prayer." When it was over the másy audible orchestra, it was "The Lord's Prayer."
During the bus ride back to Olathe, the children joked with one another, their fingers moving rapidly to and fro. The movements became more exaggerated as they ran past the decorated descendants of laughter filled the bus with the jouous sound.
The children's eyes beamed as wide smiles stretched across their faces.
"Shhhh," Starmer said Loudly. "Please be a little quiet." she signed on the rear view mirror.
SINGING WITH FINGERS
Hours of practice pay off in good eye contact, clean signing, and enthusiasm as each member of the group must withstand a sometimes hectic concert schedule in addition to the responsibilities of schoolwork. The importance of the Singing Fingers rests in the learning process involved for the students to become more responsive to a hearing society.
Story by Robert Beer
Photos by Bruce Bandle