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Released 24 August 2009
Musicians from Winston-Salem Music Conservatory visit Richmond
In mid-August, a group of musicians from the Jack T. Waters Summer Music Conservatory in Winston-Salem, N.C. came to Richmond to give a series of concerts around the area. The group had been together for 8 weeks of day camp music instruction and Richmond was a stop on their end of summer tour.
The first performance was at The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, where they played for close to 80 youth from The Club and the Richmond School of Performing Arts.
The intermediate brass band, led by Ben Webber, and the advanced brass band, led by Steve Sutton, played a few numbers and then the two bands got together to play some numbers together.
The drum-line, led by Jason Walker, really got the children excited and Walker gave the youth selected to play the national anthem at the Richmond Kickers game a short master class in drum-line percussion.
After their performance at The Club, the musicians visited Summerhill Retirement Home and played for around 30 people.
Both brass bands performed again and included numbers such as, "Rock of Ages" and the lively march "Fill the world with music". There were also solos on piano and a performance from the string ensemble with the famous classical piece, "Paladio" which was led by Rick Green.
After the performances, the children enjoyed watermelon with the residents and were treated with some jazz music by the staff members of Winston-Salem.
"This was a real treat for all of us and so good to see what The Salvation Army is doing with these children, what a wonderful concert," Summerhill Activities Director, Judy Dyer, said.
The last stop on their tour of Richmond was at Covenant Woods Retirement where they played for a crowd of around 65 individuals.
The brass bands played yet again and included music such as, "No one cares for me like me" and Diadem. The massed bands played the Latin inspired piece "Tomado de la Mana" as well as the popular praise chorus "Lord I Lift Your Name On High".
The children received a standing ovation and were complimented by a number of the residents on their attitude and musical ability.
"This really was a great visit and a very high musical presentation from the children," Richmond Area Music Director, Matt Sims, said.
"We are hoping that we will be able to do several other things together with our own school of performing arts in the future and it shows what can happen when you invest in young people, you get the best out of them musically and spiritually"