More than 190 children performed at the annual strings concert on Thursday night, some for the first time, others seasoned veterans.
There was standing room only onstage at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center Thursday evening, when about 100 string students from the Island’s town schools joined forces for America the Beautiful, the finale of their spring orchestra concert.
From Scarborough Fair to the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star finale, the All-Island Winter Strings Concert at the Performing Arts Center showcased young musicians from second to eighth grade.
From pint-sized elementary school violinists to high school musicians who now play at an advanced level, the all-Island spring orchestra concert at the Performing Arts Center marked a first of its kind for the public school music program. Strings teacher Nancy Jephcote led the program.
The annual winter concert is a showcase for students in the All-Island elementary strings program, from the very young with their pint-sized violins to older students on cello and viola.
On Monday afternoon, tentative strains of Go Tell Aunt Rhody echo in the foyer of the Chilmark School where beginning and intermediate students perform solo violin recitals. On Tuesday morning, a group of Advanced Orchestra students work to achieve fortissimo at the West Tisbury School. On Wednesday morning, eight intermediate students, ranks depleted due to MCAS testing, fill the band room of the Tisbury School with the coda of their latest piece. One youngster swings his foot in time to the music as he plays.