VERO BEACH — Indian River Symphonic Association presented its annual Children’s Concert on Feb. 9. The Association is able to give young students the experience of hearing and seeing a live symphonic orchestra each year through the generosity of its subscribers and donors. Under the direction of Maestro Christopher Confessore, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra gave two back-to back performances on a theme of “Orchestra Games.”
Each year, all fifth grade students in Indian River County are invited to attend a symphonic concert held at the Community Church of Vero Beach. This year over 1,300 students and 100 of their teachers were treated to a special performance based on the theme of the upcoming Olympic Summer Games.
The orchestra opened the concert with the Star Spangled Banner. That was followed by Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dance of the Tumblers.” The main event was an original composition titled “Orchestra Games,” which introduced the various instruments that make up a symphony orchestra, and then had them competing with each other.
Narrated by the composer, Gregory Smith, competitions ranged from loudest to softest, highest to lowest, and even included a marathon.
Six of the students attending got an opportunity to conduct the orchestra during its rousing finale of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Learning the conducting skills were Marie Camacho of Citrus Elementary, Luke Roche of St. Helen’s Academy, Felipe Santos of Glendale Elementary, Travis Welsh of Highlands Elementary, Jasmine Murray of Vero Beach Elementary, and Ansley Cortez of Fellsmere Elementary.