More than 900 fifth grade students from across St. Clair County attended a special performance by the International Symphony at McMorran Auditorium last week. Organized by St. Clair County RESA, the event was meant to be a cultural experience for students of seven county school districts.
Through the special concert, students learned about the orchestra’s instruments through mainly classical music that was chosen specifically to be accessible to a fifth grade audience, many of whom may not otherwise be exposed to a live symphony concert.
Many students came dressed for the occasion, wearing a suit, vest and tie, dresses and more formal outerwear, and during the performance, four students were even invited to the podium to “lead” the orchestra. Lori Driscoll, of St. Clair County RESA, organized the experience and said, “The orchestra has been providing the musical performance for more than 20 years and plays a performance that is suitable for 10 to 12-year-olds.” According to Driscoll, it’s an appropriate time as those students will soon have the opportunity to join band in middle school.
Reporting for WGRT, ebw.tv.
