April 13, 2012
Grade school violinists to perform with orchestra
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Grade school violinists will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Southern Illinois Civic Orchestra in a concert on April 18.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium.
The SIU Symphonic Band, under the direction of George Brozak, and the Civic Orchestra, directed by Eric Lenz, present the end-of-academic-year performance partly as community outreach, and partly as scholarship fundraiser.
Lenz noted that the “strings program” at Carbondale’s Thomas School, a music education program for second and third graders to learn violin, has been around for nearly a decade. However, the program at Lewis School in Carbondale is just beginning. Now fourth and fifth graders can continue violin and cello lessons in the Lewis School Orchestra. Angela Grimmer is their instructor.
Lenz said the civic orchestra was the ideal partner for the young musicians.
“The Southern Illinois Civic Orchestra is a community orchestra with diverse membership,” he said. “Many musicians join as middle-school or high school students. Mrs. Grimmer and I want families of younger students to realize the opportunities available to musicians who continue to study string instruments past the elementary school levels.”
Tickets for the performance are $12 for regular admission, $6 for students. Proceeds benefit the SIU Carbondale School of Music scholarships funds.