This week, Ted and I attended the St. Charles School District orchestra concert. This is my favorite school concert of the year because it includes the entire string program in the six participating district schools: elementary (5th-6th grades), intermediate (7th-8th grades), and high school (9th-12th grades). In thanking the parents, community, and administration for their support, one of the teacher/directors mentioned that she is proud to be part of such a thriving string program (about 400 students) when many schools are eliminating similar programs due to budget cuts.
L -> R: elementary, intermediate, high school orchestras
The elementary school orchestra always plays first. Their selections are short and simple (“Hot Cross Buns,” “Flintstones Theme,” etc.), and it’s amazing to hear their improvement since the fall concert. Then the intermediate students play more difficult pieces (e.g., a simplified arrangement of Dvorák’s “Cavatina”). You think the elementary orchestra sounds good until you hear how much better the musicians are with two more years of practice in intermediate school. Finally, the high school orchestra performs and it sounds even better. This year, one of their selections was a Disney medley arranged by a high school student musician. The concert finale selections are played by all three orchestras together–a challenge for the teacher/directors, I’m sure. Those pieces were my favorites of the evening.
Author’s note: As a former band member (clarinet), I was amused at the way the directors kept the three orchestras on the same beat for the final pieces. The elementary director (on the left) plays her violin along with her students and keeps time with her bow strokes. The high school director (on the right) keeps his eyes on her to keep time with his hands. The intermediate director (center and a little forward of the other two) watches the high school director and keeps time with him. Teamwork!
The intermediate orchestra takes its bow after its performance. The arrows point at Sky (front) and Dylan (back).
When the concert is finished, cake and punch are provided for the students and guests. The moment the musicians are excused after taking their final bow, there is a mad student rush for the gym door to get to the cake and punch! (After all, it’s probably been nearly two hours since they had dinner.) Yes, it’s always an enjoyable evening. Next year, Teddy will be joining the elementary orchestra.
Cake!!! The still photo doesn’t do justice to the speed at which these kids are heading for the door.