Reach Teach Play programs are still in full swing during the winter, and our students have been busy showcasing their hard work. Just last week, our Sistema Ravinia Orchestra presented a winter concert at Gregory Elementary School located in Homan Square. Trumpet and clarinet students gave an auditorium performance to their classmates.
The program included their five-note warm-up and “Hot Cross Buns.” Mariah, a Gregory Elementary student and trumpet player, practiced two hours a day leading up to the big performance.
“I did really good and I gave a good speech about the concert,” Mariah said. “I feel really happy that I did that. I felt good and proud of myself.”
Students in this orchestra are still learning the basics and showed off their skills with pride. “I like that I can play new sounds. I know how to make low sounds, high sounds, and medium sounds, and that’s why I love the trumpet so much,” Mariah said.
Ravinia Jazz Mentors saxophonist Pat Mallinger, trumpeter Pharez Whitted, bassist Dennis Carroll, and drummer Ernie Adams also made a special appearance and got the party started by playing “White Christmas.”
Students like Mariah even had the opportunity to play with the Jazz Mentors for fun and learn from them and their skills.
Nine-year-old Emily loved the experience. “I was nervous and had butterflies in my stomach. I was happy,” Emily said.
Emily loves to play in the orchestra and has a deep appreciation of the different types of music that she can listen to and play. Right now she knows how to play “Jingle Bells” on her clarinet.
The concert closed with more music by the Jazz Mentors, and brass instructor Al Piela joined in the “Jingle Bells Remix!” as a special guest. There was even time for some inspirational advice for the students.
“To play music you have to know about science, jazz, geography, and other different styles of music. When you play music, it shows your intelligence,” Adams said. “I’m very proud of you. All of you are intelligent enough to be great musicians.”
