The Main Squeeze

Across the inky water comes a ripple of faint applause from another houseboat, the clappers unseen.

IN 2004, WISE PERSUADED A REPORTER for the local newspaper to write about his idea for Accordions for Kids. The Associated Press picked up the story, helping spread word of his 10-week program in which children receive free lessons and a loaner accordion. Wise has since taught more than 30 children and recruited still more to pair with program teachers in other states.

Last August, 10-year-old Katelyn Peters and her brother, Aaron, 8, attend the recital that is the traditional last lesson of the program. Their mother, Karen Peters, and the Wises make up the audience.

Katelyn starts with "Hot Cross Buns," as does Aaron. She next heads where her little brother can't follow, playing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" from memory and adding new notes along the way to liven it up. When the children finish, Wise says: "Take a bow. Both of you," and waits for them to stand before presenting two certificates of achievement.

"He who climbs a ladder must begin at the first step," Wise says. "May you take the next step and continue a lifetime of joy with your music."

Now, the Peters family has to decide if either of the kids, who enjoy playing, will continue with accordion.

"So, what do you think?" Wise asks.

"I don't know. Katelyn is pretty busy with violin," says Karen Peters, referring to the rigorous lessons the girl takes through a public school. "Maybe Aaron . . ."

"Well, you don't have to decide right now," Wise says. "Why don't you keep one of the accordions for now and think about it?"

"Are you sure?" she asks.

"Yes, yes, keep it, and get back to me later."

After the Peterses leave with Aaron's 16-bass loaner, Wise sits alone in the lesson room. "There's some selling that has to be done," he says. "But this accordion thing is going to happen, one way or the other. How big it becomes is just a matter of how much energy we got."

Wise gazes down at the blue pearl accordion abandoned by Katelyn. He lifts it by its tiny shoulder straps and, for a moment, considers shutting it away in its case. Then he carries the child-size accordion across the room and gently places it on a shelf next to his own well-traveled instrument, where it awaits a taker.

Genevieve Rajewski, a writer living in Massachusetts, is hoping to follow in her grandfather's footsteps by learning to play the accordion. She can be reached at www.ticktockwordshop.com.