Pfoho to Musicians: Let's Start at the Very Beginning

The sound of music will soon be floating down the halls of Pforzheimer House—but there might be a few missed notes.

The House Masters and several tutors are starting a group of Pfoho musicians who will jam together one to three times a week. The catch: this isn't the typical Harvard band of award-winning cellists and concert pianists. This group is geared toward beginners.

"Harvard students are so hard on themselves, generally, that they don't often allow themselves the joy of being an amateur or a beginner at anything," said Erika Christakis, co-Master of Pfoho and a new guitarist herself. She dreamt up the new jam session as "an informal group where beginner students could meet in our residence and play for one another in a supportive environment, with refreshments and encouragement."

Christakis said she would like to see similar groups develop at Harvard for all sorts of skills, not just music.

"I would love to help facilitate a little more intellectual risk-taking, and I think the House system really provides a platform for that because we know and care about our students as whole people," Christakis said. "It takes courage to try something new."

If the new band of beginners hones their courage enough, Christakis said, they might even brave a recital at the end of the year.