FROM FOLKS SONGS TO BORODIN AT THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

By Andrea Cassutt, Executive Director

It was a joyful event this last Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 when our Prelude String Orchestra students and a quartet from our Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) played music at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum Community Day. Thanks to the Santa Fe Children’s Museum for inviting us to be a part of the day’s sharing and festivities along with Santa Fe Performing Arts, the Holy Faith Break Dancers, EmiArteFlamenco and Pomegranate Dance Studios.

After just three rehearsals, students from our Prelude String Orchestra (3rd through 6th graders) led by conductor, Carla Kountoupes stepped up to play their string instruments for the event. Alisa, one of our newest students, played a solo, and Benjamin and Sonya played a viola duet on the French Folk Song. Maya Holder, who works at the museum, and is one of our YSO players grabbed her violin from the car and played along in support of our young musicians.

After that very young bravery, a quartet from our YSO ensemble, and part of our new Con Vivo Chamber Music program, took the stage to play movement 2 from Borodin's quartet no. 2. William Waag conducts the YSO, and members of this quartet are Phoebe Jackson, Ruby Miller, Emma Viani and Johnny Mamula who have played with SFYSA ensembles for a combined total of more than 15 years! All of these students are now also high school students at New Mexico School for the Arts.

It was a joy and honor to participate in this great community event. Thanks so much to all who joined us and for our amazing Santa Fe community!