On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 6, the Olathe West Orchestra hosted around 200 visitors to the commons for their annual “Night in Italy” concert. But this concert is not like most. Orchestra Director Karen Russell described the event.
“It’s a more casual, fun concert; parents can come and go as they please, there’ll be pizza and a bake sale—kids will be performing throughout the night, providing background music for a dinner basically,” Russell said.
The concert featured Freshman, Concert and Chamber orchestra sections, as well as the Mission Trail and Oregon Trail Middle School orchestras. The five groups rotated performances throughout the night, each playing two pieces.
Most of the students currently enrolled in orchestra at West began at one of the two feeder schools. Junior Audrey McCoy, who has been involved since 5th grade, spoke about her inspiration to get involved.
“My sister has played violin for a really long time, and I was always really inspired by her but I didn’t wanna play violin in particular, so I chose the next biggest one, which was viola,” McCoy said.
Being part of orchestra has proven to be a rewarding experience for McCoy and her peers. McCoy, along with two other students, will perform in the KMEA All-State Orchestra in Wichita later this month. McCoy described her experience at State last year.
“You spend the whole day rehearsing this music that they give you about a month in advance and then you get to perform with the other all-state people,” McCoy said.
In order to qualify for State, orchestra students must first qualify for District honor choir. This year, Olathe West had six participants, as well as the privilege of hosting the event.
The orchestra program is not only highly successful but also creates a supportive and welcoming community for students.
Russell, who is in her first year of teaching at West after graduating from The University of Tennessee and spending two years teaching in Knoxville, Tennessee, shared some of her favorite aspects of teaching at West so far.
“It’s probably the relationships that I build with the students. I love to be a safe place for them, I love creating and sharing music with them and just building those relationships over the four years that they are here,” Russell said.
Orchestra is always open for new students to join. Russell shared her advice to any student interested in being involved.
“Come talk to me. I try to be really friendly, and I’ll help you get an instrument and help you get started and know what to sign up for, so that’s my biggest advice, just loop me in and I will help you,” said Russell.
