Students enjoy Artis Naples and Veteran’s Park
On October 15, Grade 5 students woke up to a perfect Fall day: cool, sunny, and full of excitement. After Reading Mastery, Literature and Mass, they headed out with their teachers and volunteers to the school’s parking lot to board several cars headed to a special destination: Artis Naples. The fine arts field trip was arranged through the symphony’s education program Link Up. The performance’s theme was “The Orchestra Sings.” In about an hour, the orchestra demonstrated how melodies can communicate emotion, tell stories, cross cultures, and bring voices to together to sing. The program began with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, which, instead of featuring Henry van Dyke’s familiar “The Hym of Joy” poem (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee), featured lyrics about how singing brings us together and unites voices for power. Next came the theme from the New World symphony composed by Antonín Dvořák, which demonstrated emotion, followed by Reena Esmail ‘s Ram Tori Maya, which is said to blend modern and Indian styles, and Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird, typically performed for ballet, showed how stories can be told powerfully without words. The performance ended with an enthusiastic young audience singing Jim Papoulis’ Oye. Grade 5 then enjoyed lunch and recreation at Veteran’s Park. Bravo!
