String Orchestra Rocks Orthwein Theatre

The MICDS String program continues to thrive, and these talented student musicians offered a lively show in Orthwein Theatre this week under the direction of Nicole Kovaluk, String Orchestra Director, and Erin Hamill, Assistant String Orchestra Director.

The concert began with the Upper School String Orchestra featuring classical selections and student conductors. They played The Phantom is Bach and Symphony No. 38 (Prague) before Amelia Markwell ’22 took the reins and conducted Rainbow Connection from The Muppets Movie. Henry Clay ’24 then conducted a rousing performance of Star Wars.

A quick set change brought the Middle School Beginner/Review Violin musicians to the stage. They entertained the audience with Soldier’s March and Wexford Circle before ceding the venue to the Middle School Intermediate String Orchestra. The audience enjoyed Dance Scenario, Olaf and the Elf Maiden, and Moodscape.

Upper School String Orchestra then returned to the stage to play behind our soloists and small ensembles. Markwell was our senior highlight, accompanied by Ava Janes ’23 for Duo 1, Op. 8 for Two Violas. Selina Balci ’22 and Nigina Aripova ’22 were our next senior spotlights, as they played Concerto for Two Violins in a Minor. Spencer Ma ’22 was our last senior spotlight, honored by Janes for Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor. Finally, Janes, Balci, Kovaluk, and Ma formed our MICDS String Quartet/Soloists for Irish Junkyard Jam.

The Upper Schoolers then played two popular pieces that delighted the audience: Pirates of the Caribbean and Kashmir by Led Zeppelin, before the rest of the strings musicians from all grades joined them on the stage for A Festival Rondo, a rousing piece that was a perfect end to a wonderful show.

Kovaluk and Hamill expressed their appreciation to our many string orchestra supporters in the program, „Thank you to our US String Orchestra Chairs for your work this year in assisting our program by helping with rehearsals and organization, promoting, developing community, and making sure we have something to mark our C#’s. Thank you to parents and families for supporting your child’s musical education and growth. Thank you, seniors, for being leaders in our string orchestra this year, and good luck with all of your musical and non-musical endeavors! We will miss you! Thank you to all students for your hard work throughout this year and being willing to share your musical talents with others through performance.“

We are so grateful to all of our talented student musicians for their performances this week. Well done!