What is one hobby you can enjoy throughout your entire life, no matter the circumstances? The Orchestra knows the answer to that question as they shared their love of music with members of the Sylvania Community Orchestra (SCO) at the side-by-side concert on October 27.
After two evening rehearsals on October 17 and 24, the Chamber Orchestra performed an Americana-themed concert with members of the SCO at their sides.
Because music is a timeless skill, the SCO members range from high school students to players in their eighties, according to Orchestra Director Pamela Thiel.
The Chamber Orchestra has performed with the SCO four times with this concert and will continue in the future. At the Sunday afternoon performance, the group played songs to honor the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg that included “Down a Country Lane” by Aaron Copland, Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar, and Civil War Fantasy by Jerry Bilik, according to Mrs. Thiel.
“It was really fun and different to play with a new stand partner who had a lot more experience than I do. I learned a lot,” junior Jonas Humphrey said.
The group, to enrich their music experience, was directed by both Mrs. Thiel and SCO and Southview Orchestra conductor, Kathi Hafner. The Chamber Orchestra also added in their own fall music selections of Dance Macabre by Camillie Saint-Saens and Possibilities by Brian Balmages.
“It is a great experience to perform side-by-side with a community orchestra. The most important aspect is having our students see that music can be part of their lives for a long time and the SCO members model that,” Mrs. Thiel said.
On October 29, both the Chamber Orchestra and the younger Concert Orchestra took their talents on the road to the annual Fall String Festival at Whitmer High School. The orchestras joined ensembles from SV, Maumee, and Whitmer to showcase their talents for students and parents from different schools. Each orchestra performed two to three songs and was able to listen to each other, according to Mrs. Thiel.
“We have been a part of the String Festival for over 40 years. Participating is a nice way to hear other orchestras in our community like the band gets to every Friday night,” said Mrs. Thiel
Both the orchestras also received constructive comments from Alan Smith, a cello professor at Bowling Green State University and Valerie Palmieri, the orchestra director at Adrian College.
Geeta Rao, Editorials Editor
