The Fine Arts Department of the Ann Arbor Public Schools will present Orchestra Night on Thursday, Feb. 26 at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus.
The advanced repertoire to be performed by middle schools and high schools demonstrates the success of the district’s comprehensive instrumental music program, says Joe DeMarsh, Tappan Middle School Orchestra director.
“Orchestra Night is a wonderful experience for our students to perform on the stage of one of the finest auditoriums for music in the United States,” says DeMarsh. “The younger students are awed hearing the top high school players at their finest, an experience that can’t be replicated.”
More than 1000 students will perform in this annual event at U-M’s celebrated auditorium known for its outstanding acoustics.
The Skyline, Pioneer, and Huron Symphony Orchestras will perform works by Sibelius, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich, respectively, in their original editions in an exciting and inspiring program, DeMarsh says.
Clinicians and guest conductors will enhance the concert, which is free and open to the public. It begins at 7 p.m.
Mr. DeMarsh — What would the AAPS do without you? You are truly a GEM! Both of my children thrived under your musical leadership and continue to find you incredibly inspiring. What DON’t you do? From teaching orchestra at Tappan, to helping run Orchestra Camp at Interlochen every summer, to all your work on Solo & Ensemble, Orchestra Night, and more. You deserve a lot more recognition and an award. I nearby nominate you as the TEACHER OF THE DECADE!