COVINGTON TWP, Pa., November 1st, 2024 – On Friday, October 25th and Saturday the 26th, North Pocono High School’s orchestra got the opportunity to attend Marywood University’s String Celebrations. This opportunity offers students the ability to interact with many different conductors and other orchestra members from different schools.
Orchestra teacher Mr. McGee is fond of the trip because it’s something that happens “once in a blue moon,” and he hopes the students that get the opportunity to go “won’t miss out” on it. He believes it’s a good event for students to enjoy themselves, and interact with other orchestras, but also get the chance to learn something in the process. “They get the opportunity to hear from someone who might be a little more experienced than me, and they might take that information better than they would if it were me.” Students might grow tired of hearing similar things from one teacher, but Marywood’s String Celebrations offer them the ability to hear things from someone different, which is often what it takes for something to sink in.
This event also offers orchestra students a chance to see how music works outside of a classroom environment. Violin player Roman Ritter likes that it “gives the orchestra a chance to get out there and show what they can do.” He observed that the orchestra doesn’t often get the chance to showcase their abilities, other than the concert that takes place every year. “The band has football games and cavalcades, but in the orchestra, we don’t really have that, so this gives us an opportunity to play our instruments for people.”
Alongside showcasing their abilities, the orchestra gets to interact with other high school students in different orchestras. Mr. McGee enjoys the social aspect of this event especially, considering that schools often show their competitive side when they get together. “In sports and everything, schools are obviously competitive, so it’s nice to see a lot of teachers from different schools getting along and hanging out.” Roman had a different take on his favorite part about the Celebrations. “I think the food is really my favorite part.” However, he also realized that “meeting people from other schools and sharing our love for orchestra” was an enjoyable part of the yearly event.
As another year of Marywood’s String Celebrations has come and gone, the orchestra is happy as ever to get the chance to participate. From the chance to showcase the abilities that North Pocono’s music department has, to learning something new in the process, along with meeting other instrument enthusiasts, it’s safe to say that the event was a success. With willing students such as Roman Ritter and a teacher as open to the experience as Mr. McGee, North Pocono’s presence at Marywood is sure to be felt for many years to come.
