WEST GROVE, PA — In a night filled with harmony and talent, the Avon Grove School District (AGSD) hosted its sixth annual Strings Festival on Wednesday, January 31. The districtwide orchestra event showcased musical performances from students in grades five to twelve, offering a platform for young musicians to shine.
The concert, held annually, is a unique occasion that brings together students from three schools within the district: Avon Grove Intermediate School (AGIS), Avon Grove Middle School (AGMS), and Avon Grove High School (AGHS). It’s an event that truly resonates with the community, as Krista Umile, Orchestra Director for AGHS, explains, “This is always one of my favorite concerts of the year. It gives the students an opportunity to support each other and see how far they will go as they progress through our high-quality string program.”
The Strings Festival is much more than just a concert. It’s the culmination of a year of collaboration, practice, and dedication from the students. As Brian Lynch, Orchestra Director at Avon Grove Middle School, points out, “Young players get the chance to play in the same concert as graduating high school students, giving them a glimpse of where their music education can take them. Older students have the opportunity to give back to the program and inspire the next generation of orchestra.”
This year’s concert was a record breaker, with an impressive 160 students taking part – the most in the event’s history. The fifth grade orchestra from AGIS kicked off the evening with two selections under the direction of Orchestra Director Emily Lucas. The middle school orchestra then took the stage, performing a rendition of “Seven Nation Army” by Jack White that had the audience tapping along.
But the music didn’t stop there. The high school students had their moment to shine, displaying the skills they’ve honed over their years in the program. Under Umile’s direction, they performed a beautiful rendition of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s “Eleanor Rigby.”
The night concluded with an energetic finale that saw all three orchestras join forces to perform “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco. The combined talent and enthusiasm of the young musicians were met with applause and cheers from the proud audience.
Umile expressed her gratitude for the support of the community and the district. “The arts give us all a chance to be together and celebrate not just the music we play, but each other,” she said.
The AGSD Strings Festival is more than just a concert; it’s a testament to the power of arts education and the incredible talent nurtured within the Avon Grove School District. It’s clear that the strings program is striking the right chord with students, educators, and the community alike. As we look forward to next year’s event, we can’t wait to see how these young musicians will continue to grow and inspire us all.
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