Nervous jitters almost got the best of the Kesling Intermediate School and LaPorte Middle School Orchestra students, but once they began to play, all those feelings subdued.
For the seventh-graders, this is the first time playing indoors due to the pandemic. Last year, virtual concerts were held, and students played outdoors. The eighth-graders have played inside three times.
“I’m really proud of the kids. They’ve been working very hard on it,” said Orchestra conductor Elizabeth Cravens. “We’ve been pulling stuff together even up until the last minute trying to tweak things and make it better. I’m very proud of all of them.”
Cravens chose the songs for the fall concert to challenge the students but also match their skill level.
“Last year was such a weird year, so I didn’t want to give them stuff that was too overwhelming,” Cravens said. “It was concert-worthy music.”
This is Cravens’ first year teaching orchestra at the two schools but her sixth year teaching orchestra. She taught for five years in Mishawaka at Penn High School as an assistant orchestra director. When Cravens came to LaPorte, she took the Paul F. Boston Middle School Choir position. This is Cravens’ first concert as the orchestra conductor.
“I think it’s important for them to have a strong start to the year. It will set the tone for the rest of the year,” Cravens said.
The sixth-grade students started off the evening with several short songs that gave a good indication of what they had learned. The songs included “Finger Mix-Up,” “Hot Cross Buns,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and “This Old Man.”
The seventh-graders then took the stage with three songs that were longer and demonstrated how they had improved. The songs included “At the Grasshopper Ball,” “The Blue Danube Waltz,” and “Celtic Dance.”
“I thought it went well,” said Madison Copeland. “My favorite piece was ‘Celtic Dance’ because of the rhythm that lasts until the end.”
Copeland, who is a seventh-grader, was a little apprehensive about the concert. She has been playing the bass for two years. Once the performance started, Copeland felt like they were a unit.
The eighth-graders finished the show with more confidence and a robust performance to showcase their experience within the program. Their performance included “March Triumphant,” “Moonlight Tango,” and “The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down.”
Eighth-grader Lizbeth Luna-Zetina said she was a little nervous before the concert started because it was a bigger stage.
“My favorites are ‘March Triumphant’ and ‘Moonlight Tango,’ because they are faster and they have more rhythm to them,” Luna-Zetina said.
Luna-Zetina has played the violin for three years.
To see a list of upcoming events for the La Porte Community School Corporation, please visit https://www.lpcsc.k12.in.us/en-US/calendar.