Davis High Strings Tutoring holds annual winter concert

PHOTO: Moreno helps Thole lead a rehearsal an hour before performance time.

Photo by Leela Davis

Article by Alice Goncharova 

The Davis High Strings Tutoring Program held its annual winter concert in the Brunelle Hall on Feb 15.

Seniors Eva Wilson and Eva Peterson opened the concert explaining the origin of the program and expressed the hard work of all the students. 

“I think that the commitment that the elementary schoolers have to the music is really beautiful,” Peterson said. “At such a young age, to be able to dedicate yourself to learning something well is awesome.”

Players at the elementary, junior high and high school level demonstrated such commitment in chamber group performances throughout the concert, including one performance by sixth grader Matthew Hawk Hamilton.

“The tutors are really nice and caring,” Hamilton said. “Even when I don’t get something, my tutor will help me and won’t stop trying.”

After the introduction, students and tutors performed duets, followed by groups of three to four playing the first tutor-led chamber ensemble in the program.

According to Wilson, while players experienced nerves due to only rehearsing together once before the concert, players persevered and gave strong performances.

“(It’s) their ability to listen to each other,” Wilson said.

With orchestra director Angelo Moreno at the center conducting each group, students left the stage after performing several pieces by age group from elementary to the high school level, leaving the high school musicians to perform on their own to conclude the concert.