Stillwater High School students are encouraged to attend orchestra concerts this year to experience the magic of the music shared on the stage.
Bassist Jacob Ventris believes that students should attend orchestra concerts because it’s a unique experience.
“We spend a lot of time on it and put a lot of effort into what we do to show everyone the magic we create,” said Ventris, who started playing six years ago. His favorite thing about playing is that it gives him motivation to wake up in the morning and start his day with something he loves.
Fellow orchestra classmate Dakota Welsh, who has been playing viola for four years said she loves how it sounds when she places her bow on the string.
“The viola is not something you hear very often, but it is gorgeous,” Welsh said. Welsh, who joined orchestra because of how fascinating it is, has won solo and ensemble awards, ranking superior once.
Madilynn Patman, a violinist for the past six years, said that she loves to express her emotions through her playing. Madilynn has won solo and ensemble, ranking superior multiple times. She thinks more people should attend because everyone should be able to experience this type of music and the kind of effort they put into their playing.
“Orchestra is very therapeutic and I believe everyone should play an instrument or come to watch our music just to experience it,” Patman said.
Orchestra conductor Scott Jackson believes students should come to the concerts because most are surprised by what live music has in store for them.
“Most people are pleasantly surprised when they come,” Jackson said. “The orchestra is still quite rare around the world and only some schools do it. We are a part of the very few in our area, and it would be more exciting than they would think.”
Jackson added that the performance is a surprisingly engaging concert, and people should come out and give it a try because it’s going to have something special that speaks to them and inspires them.
“We’re one of the few orchestras in the area, so why not come and experience a show,” Jackson said.