News & Events 2003-2004

Orchestral Workshop Brings a Day of Music to Blair

In April, Blair Academy hosted fellow musicians from The George School in Newtown, Penn., for a combined orchestral workshop and concert. Approximately 70 instrumental students from both schools came together for a day full of music. Selections performed were "Procession of the Nobles” by Rimsky-Korsakov, “Bacchanale” by Saint-Saens, “Simple Gifts” by Frank Ticheli, and soundtrack highlights from “Pirates of the Caribbean” by Klaus Badelt.

This is the second year that these two schools have combined forces. The first occurred in January 2003, when Blair musicians traveled to Newtown, Penn., for a similar day at The George School. Conductors Dana Williams and Karen Hallowell, respectively, met at a conducting workshop at The Hartt School in 2002. Both schools have relatively new instrumental music departments. Williams and Hallowell discovered that while Blair boasts a bigger wind symphony, George School features a heavy string concentration, resulting in a well-balanced, full-size orchestra when combined. Both conductors were extremely pleased with the musical experience the students gained; they hope that next year will provide two performing opportunities for these students — one at The George School and one at Blair.

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