Members of the Bridgeport High School Strings Orchestra recently participated in the West Virginia University High School Honors Orchestra which took place in Morgantown at the WVU Creative Arts Center Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.

 

Students in grades 9 through 12 were nominated by their orchestra director or strings teacher representing the best of their respective programs, then went through an audition process upon arrival to get their chair placing.  

 

BHS students Katy Klenk (violin), Braden Zannino (cello), Maci Cook (violin), Jeremiah Woods (violin), and Sofia Henline (viola) were nominated by BHS Strings teacher Tricia Price to represent their school in this state-wide orchestra.  

 

The West Virginia University High School String Honor Orchestra is an annual two-day event for high school students. The selected students rehearse throughout the two days of the festival and present a Grand Finale performance on Saturday. In addition to working with an outstanding, nationally-known faculty, students were treated to a performance by the WVU Symphony Orchestra and also had the opportunity to participate in masterclasses offered by members of the WVU School of Music faculty.

 

The final performance of the orchestra, conducted by Dr. Mitchell Arnold, Associate Professor and Director of Orchestral Activities at the WVU School of Music, performed “Hoe Down” from Aaron Copland’s Ballet, Rodeo, a suite from Falla’s ballet, El Amor Brujo, including the famous “Ritual Fire Dance,” and the Theme from E.T. by John Williams.  The orchestra was joined by members of the WVU Symphony Orchestra’s woodwind, brass, and percussion sections for Theme from E.T. and “Hoe Down.”

 

This important musical event fortunately was completed prior to the state-mandated restrictions of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.  BHS Strings students continue their music education under Tricia Price at home using a variety of remote learning tools.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo, pictured from left are BHS students Katy Klenk, Sofia Henline, Maci Cook, Jeremiah Woods and Braden Zannino. Second photo features Klenk (center with hairband) performing during the honors orchestra program.