Soft notes and musical magic flowed through Nokomis Elementary School recently as Sachem resident Donna Basile held an informative assembly on the recorder for all third-grade students. 

A former music educator from the Harborfields Central School District, Basile holds a vast knowledge of the recorder and shared this insight with Nokomis students. Beginning in the third grade, all students across the district are introduced to the recorder and begin learning various scales and songs as part of the music curriculum. 

During the assembly Basile periodically integrated the history of the recorder dating back to the 15th century. Students learned about seven different sized recorders ranging from the Garklein to the great bass. After showing students each recorder, Basile demonstrated the unique pitch of the varying instruments by performing familiar melodic songs. 

The assembly provided students added knowledge about their instruments before taking the stage this May for the annual third-grade recorder concert.