Inaugural Orchestra Performance

Tonight was the first performance of the Juab School District Orchestra. It is made up of students from both the junior high and the high school. This is the first time there has been any orchestra program in the schools here, and it has been a long hard fight for this to happen. The kids and I have been hopeful that it would be successful and the school board would continue to support it. Emily is the student director for the orchestra.

The concert was a combined performance--band, orchestra, and drum corp. Grandpa and Grandma Goates came, and Grandpa took pictures. Unfortunately, they didn't turn out very well, but I'm going to post them anyway. Everyone dressed in costume because Halloween is coming. Hannah was a farmer, Caleb was a jedi, and Emily was a fairy.Emily and Caleb played a fiddle/bass duet at the beginning of the concert. Can you see Emily's black wings?Below is Hannah on the far left in the overalls and straw hat, and Emily to the left of the director.Caleb on bassThe orchestra played a song that Emily arranged called "Goblin Walk." They also played an arrangement that I did for them of "Have You Seen the Ghost of John." They don't have a very big budget for music, so everything they can get for free certainly helps! They also have quite a range of abilities in the group, so it helps to have music written to cater to how well everyone can play.

I thought it was a very exciting night. I only saw one member of the school board there, and I was hoping she saw the benefit that I see of having music for string players in the schools!