The Gazette-Enterprise

SEGUIN — Every year the Mid-Texas Symphony hosts an mini-concert event for children.

This year’s event attracted nearly 5,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Guadalupe and Comal county schools.

Pat Schofield, MTS executive director, said the one-hour events are built specially for the kids learning experience.

“They are playing a special concert that was put together for the fourth- and fifth-graders,” she said. “Music Director David Marz is a music educator with 35 years of experience. He knows what the kids are supposed to be learning in school.”

K-Lynn Scott, McQueeney Elementary fifth grade student, said for her the director’s audience interaction was one of the highlights of the morning’s show.

“I liked how he asked us questions,” she said.

Schofield agreed that Marz has a connection with the kids.

“In a very friendly and engaging way that doesn’t seem like he’s teaching them things, he is going through all of these things that they are supposed to learn as part of the Texas curriculum.”

John Masterson, Mid Texas Symphony board president, introduced the star of the show — the symphony — and addressed the audience along with asking a couple questions.

“You will find that when they play and when they are conducting they make the most beautiful music in the world,” he told the youngsters. “I want you to let the music take you to far away places and while you are there pick out your favorite instrument.”

While on stage, Masterson asked how many have never been to a concert such as this. Almost all of the students raised their hands.

“A lot of these kids have never been to a concert and for them it is a very exciting experience because live music is nothing like a CD,” Schofield said.

She said that between the two concerts held on Monday at the New Braunfels Civic Center and the two on Tuesday at Texas Lutheran University’s Jackson Auditorium, approximately 4,600 students attend the series.

“We had 1,200 seats filled at both shows in New Braunfels,” she said. “Jackson is 1,048 and we are setting up chairs in the back. I counted 1,066 at the first concert today, so we have a full house.”

The shortened event is based off of the full show, “Viva La Musica!” The MTS preformed the full show on Sunday, Oct. 18 at the New Braunfels Civic Center.

“It’s music inspired by the Spanish culture and the composers are actually Russian and French,” Schofield said.

The MTS had a special treat for the kids. A teen musician took the stage and showed off to the young audience.

“We had a guest soloist, Nancy Zhou” Schofield said. “She is a 16-year-old violinist from San Antonio. All of the kids who have heard this concert have said ‘Wow!’”

Corter Longmire, McQueeney Elementary fourth grade student, said he was impressed by the talents of Zhou.

“I liked the girl from San Antonio,” he said.

For more information on the Mid-Texas Symphony, visit www.mtsymphony.org or call 830-372-8089.

Share | Save | Mail | Print | Comment

Bringing Life To Your Doorstep Since 1888

A Southern Newspapers publication.