District all-strings concert encourages collaboration

by Addie Lander Guest Writer Orchestra classes from every school in the district gathered to perform Wednesday, April 19 in a collaborative show in the U. City gymnasium showcasing students in grades 4-12. Grace Fitter, orchestra teacher, worked hard in combination with teachers across the district to put the whole show together.

“Collaborating with the middle school and the elementary schools is special and important,” Fitter said. “It allows all students to see the big picture of their orchestra journeys and reminds students that the whole team of string students extends beyond their class period and even their school.”

This performance doesn’t happen overnight; students spend the whole year building on their skills. This year added participation from the JROTC.

“The high school JROTC cadets joined the high school orchestra for a collaborative opening number, which was a new initiative,” Fitter said. “It was both powerful and exciting.” loved seeing the middle school and elementary school orchestras play.

The orchestra is regarded as a great class experience by all who take it. Elena Kellog, senior and violinist, rejoined this year and did not regret it.

“It’s always really cool to watch and listen to how much the younger kids have learned,” Stewart said. “I also enjoy watching the eighth graders play, because it’s like a graduation for them.”

Despite minor issues from the sound in the gym, the concert went on without a hitch.

“The concert went very well,” Clementine Huck, freshman and upright bass player, said. “I believe that my peers and stayed together throughout the duration of each song and sounded very fluent together. It was difficult to perform in the gym because of the echo it creates, but that was the only downside of our performance.”

Nevertheless, there will always be the factor of nerves when performing. Edgar Zamacona, sophomore and bassist, experienced this feeling.

“I had many thoughts during the concert,” Zamacona said. “I was nervous, but as it kept going I felt more confident and less scared of messing up. struggle a lot trying to keep my focus on not messing up.”

“My hope is that those revenues will help give more services to the residents of this city and help relieve the burden that residents had to bear for so long,” Smotherson said. “I’m also hoping to allow our residents the opportunity to get good jobs closer to their homes and access to great commercial services and products.”

U. City has been missing this level of revenue especially compared to cities like Clayton; however, with this new construction hopefully U. City will reap tax-paying benefits.

For example the school district will receive more funding, which is something that has been needed for

U. City has completed a large portion of these developments already so it is too late to go back and make major adjustments; however it’s still important to recognize the city’s hard work. We don’t always get our way exactly as we want and there are always opportunity costs in life. The city will tremendously increase its revenue, jobs and overall quality due to the revenue, so you can look forward to the completion of the project next year and go out and support the city!