Mercer/Macon Symphony

Youth Orchestra

A Sound Investment in the Future

Last evening, Saturday, May 8, 2010 my Bride and I attended the Final Concert of this organization of the 2009-2010 School Year. As I prepared to compose this Post the following words came to my mine:

Terrific, Awesome, Magnificent, Elegant, Majestic, Splendid, Superb, Grandiose, Brilliant, Amazing, Impressive, Wonderful and finally Glorious

The Concert was performed in the Neva Langley Fickling Hall in the Music Building at Mercer University. For those who may have not ever attended an event in this venue please be aware that the main seating is on a slope to that all attendees can view the stage. Additionally there are side galleries on both sides as well as in the rear of the Hall.

The opening numbers entitled "Also Sprach Zarathustra Sehr breit" by Richard Strauss and "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa were conducted by Amy Wilson. The Main stage as well as the side and rear galleries had performers for these two numbers. We were fortunate to arrive early enough to acquire seating in the middle of the main floor seating. We did not know before hand that we would actually be afforded the opportunity to enjoy music with the dynamics of "Surround Sound." WOW!!!!! The opening numbers were but a foretaste of the grand performances yet to follow.

The Mercer/Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra is composed of Musicians from Middle Georgia Schools. Please note that the number after the School Name indicates the number of musicians from that school:

Central High School - 3

Howard High School - 4

The Westfield School - 1

Mount de Sales Academy - 5

Houston County High School - 14

Home School - 9

Mary Persons High School - 2

Covenant Academy - 1

Thompson Middle School - 2

Vineville Academy - 1

Taylor County High School - 2

Westside High School - 3

Woodward Academy - 1

Progressive Christian Academy - 1

Howard Middle School - 1

Warner Robins High School - 2

Rutland High School - 9

Jones County High School - 7

Trinity Christian School - 1

Bonaire Middle School - 1

Perry High School - 3

First Presbyterian Day School - 2

Mercer University - 1

West Laurens High School - 4

Baldwin High School - 1

Idaho Virtual Academy - 1

Georgia Virtual Academy - 1

A review of the above list indicates that Middle Georgia has great musical talent in both the Private and the Public Schools. Please note that the Bibb County Public Schools have a total of 21 musicians in this Orchestra.

In addition to performances by the entire Orchestra we were entertained by numerous ensembles as well as solos and duets. Again, I will use the word "magnificent" to comment on every performance. The program included two Intermissions, however everyone was captivated with two and one-hours of grand music.

The program included Music composed by:

Aaron Copland

John Williams

Miles Davis

J. S. Bach

G. F. Handel

Richard Strauss

John Philip Sousa

W. A. Mozart

Johann Pachelbel

Of note, one selection was composed by a Junior High School Student who attends Trinity Christian School in Dublin, Georgia. Not only had she composed this selection, she performed it on the Piano. It was entitled "I Will Write You a Song."

The program included the following selections:

Theme from "Schindler's List"

Canon in D

Ashokan Farewell

The Concert featured a total of forty selections. An additional highlight of this Concert was the fact that a total of four Musicians actually conducted the Orchestra. The following is a summary of these selections:

Hello Zepp (Theme from Saw) conducted by

a Central High School Junior

Pirates of the Caribbean conducted by

a Jones County High School Senior

Overture for a Comic Book Hero conducted by

a Rutland High School Junior

Jurassic Park conducted by

a Perry High School Sophmore

I also noted that several of these amazing musicians were skilled in more than one instrument. The program included an abundance of light hearted selections as well as several classical Orchestra Selections.

The musicans handled their selections very well. The "Concert of the Year," from my point of view. Well Done.