Young elementary students stare at the high school musicians with curiosity as their art work flashes on a projector. The orchestra’s bows move with pride as they try to make an impression on the 5th graders. The Carnival of the Animals, a concert the symphony orchestra preforms every year for the local elementary schools, was in full swing and laughter was not a uncommon sound in the auditorium.
” This was my first time being included in the performance, and it was really weird how the music actually sounded like the animal it was representing. I loved the mule song and the kids did too.” Garret Gutierrez, a performer, said
Before coming to the concert , each audience member had drawn a picture of their favorite animal which was displayed in a powerpoint as their favorite animals song was played.
” The kids seemed to get a real kick out of seeing their artwork along with everyone else’s on the giant screen in the auditorium, some of them were pretty ridiculous, ” performer and audience member Alex Goodman said.
Along with playing the classic Carnival of the Animals , the symphony orchestra played John Williams’, film score composer, most recognizable themes such as Jaws, Harry Potter, Star Wars and ET. During the John Williams pieces , a little clip of the movie it belonged to was played on the screen above the orchestra.
“The audience loved when we started playing the Jaws theme, they all said something out loud and sounded like they were in awe,” Goodman said.
As the audience left the auditorium they whispered to one another about how much they were looking forward to playing in an Orchestra or Band, like the one they saw on stage. To the Symphony Orchestra members it was just another pleasing performance of the annual Carnival of the Animals.
