The Daily Orchestra Performs!

Last week students in the Daily Orchestra Program gave their first performance of the season at Federal Hill House before an audience of parents and friends. The program consisted of pieces played by the whole orchestra as well as two solos and a violin duet.

As I listened to the orchestra play Soon Hee Newbold’s Hiawatha I thought about how our conductorless orchestra of mostly 9 and 10-year-olds has grown over time and is now able to play in four parts, each section listening intently to the others in order to play together.  Maybe even more astonishing than their ability to play their own notes and rhythms together as a cohesive ensemble is the way students have grown to see themselves as essential parts of a working team.

When I have a moment to stand off to the side during a rehearsal and observe, I see students teaching each other, nominating each other to lead activities and congratulating each other on their achievements. Not only are students playing together as an orchestra, they are working together as a community.

–Adrienne Taylor (Daily Orchestra Program Director/Resident Musician)

Photos by Stephanie Ewens – Click here to see more of Stephanie’s fantastic photos of the Daily Orchestra Program concert