Kathleen Smith directing her orchestra.
A combined orchestra comprised of middle school students from Cheldelin, Linus Pauling, Franklin and some home school students, were selected to play for the Oregon Music Education Association conference, January 13 in Eugene at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. “This was an honor,” said Kathleen Smith, orchestra teacher, “Only two orchestras from the state were chosen to perform.”
Ms. Smith describes her students as self-driven and great kids. She also says the students balance quite a bit with school, sports and other aspects of their lives and still manage to get to rehearsal at 7:30 in the morning two to three times a week and practice outside of rehearsal. “The orchestra is like a family,” notes Smith. “It is honest, not glazing over wrong notes or being off time. Students are supportive and willing to give each other compliments where deserved.”
In addition to the orchestra being selected to play for the OMEA conference, eleven of the students individually auditioned for the All-State Orchestra and were accepted. These students will play with other middle school musicians from all over the state. Congratulations to our orchestra students!