Page 11 - FIS World November 2016

Most afternoons, the oor of the music rotunda at FIS has an extra layer of carpeting comprised of children,
instruments and backpacks. Music tuning, chatter, and zips, snaps and clicks belonging to various instruments and their cases, serenade the atmosphere. But last May, a rare moment of calm set the stage for special guests from the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), who visited FIS to impart their musical knowledge and mentor a handful of FIS Orchestra students.
Eight members of the BSO graced FIS with their presence enroute to a concert at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, as part of their 2016 European world tour. A select group of FIS Orchestra students were invited for individual master classes with BSO members, and a professional cellist, violinist, clarinetist, utist, and double bassist took a few students under their tutelage. The one-on-one interaction between amateur and professional musicians was encouraging and inspiring to all involved the educational pairing. After the musical exchange, students were given the opportunity to visit the BSO during their rehearsal at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt. This personalized glimpse into the world of professional music inspired the students to think about their future within the eld. “It was enriching to be able to hear very speci c advice from a professional in the eld of music, which is one that I’m considering as an ideal career path,” said Ricky Blaquiere, Grade 12 Orchestra Clarinetist.
“I learned a lot from the BSO visit,” said Grade 9 Orchestra Cellist, William Merrick. “The master class taught me things from a professional cellist which have improved my play tremendously.
I also had fun and the visit inspired me to work harder at cello. The trip to the rehearsal made me want to join an orchestra of that caliber.”
“It was of course an honor to have such a prestigious orchestra come play with us in small groups,” said Thomas Walter, another Grade 9 Orchestra Cellist. “The group size enabled our instructor to focus on our work and push us to get the best possible sound out of our cello. For me personally, I was stuck on a more di cult, faster part of my piece. But our instructor demonstrated a new technique, which he dubbed the ‘hammer and pluck’ technique, that enabled me to have this faster section down in the following days.”
The feelings of joy and inspiration were not only felt among FIS students but also by the contributing members of the BSO themselves.
Hayoung Choi performs with FIS Honor Strings (left): FIS double bass player Ella Doveton with BSO double bass player Larry Wolfe (right)
Those who participated in the master classes felt it was one of the the highlights of their European tour.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra weren’t the only professional musicians to shine in the spotlight at FIS. In September, FIS was honored to be one of two schools chosen to host Hayoung Choi, an 18-year old cellist and student at the world-renowned music institute, Kronberg Academy. Ms. Choi, who has won several competitions and played in concerts around Europe, came to FIS as part of a cooperative project between Kronberg Academy and a Hamburg-based organization called Tonali, whose mission is to bring classical music into schools and to promote young peoples interest in music. FIS was chosen to participate in the prestigious program due to the diversity of its students – and its thriving strings program.
During Ms. Choi’s visit, the FIS Honor Strings group had the privilege of playing a cello concerto with her during a special mid-day performance. Later, Ms. Choi spoke to students about her experience as a young cellist, answered a few questions and signed autographs. Ms. Choi plans to return to FIS for the Winter Concert in December.
The visits to FIS by groups like the BSO and Hayoung Choi not only illustrate FIS as a “music magnet,” but also the school’s commitment to providing students with a broad range of music opportunities, including giving insight into their possible future. Children can see life beyond rehearsals and tedious daily practice, and with this knowledge and experience, can make an informed decision about what they want to do with their developing skills. That in itself is priceless.
Cavaris King Former FIS Parent
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