Nine White Hill string players will be taking part in the Marin Music Educators' Association Honor Orchestra, which is taking place next week. After three intensive after-school rehearsals, the concert will be held at Ross School on the afternoon of Saturday 6th February. Representing White Hill will be: David Cho, Luci Paczkowksi, and Shayna Thurston (violin), Chenoa Grillet-Isaacs, Mia Lacy and Matt Wagner (viola), Ruby Otavka and Oakley Wood (cello), and Asher Thibeault (bass).

I am so proud of all the Ross Valley string players after an excellent Winter concert! The fifth graders did so well, especially since they had never played as such a large ensemble, combining the classes from all four elementary schools into an orchestra of 68 players! The sixth graders showed what is possible when a student has 45 minutes of music per day, rather than per week (as in fifth grade), and the Chamber Orchestra impressed the audience with works by Bach and Grieg. The 7th and 8th grade Orchestra showcased their impressive section of 7 cellos in Cellos, Ole!, brought the heartfelt warmth of Holst's Jupiter, and inspired the younger players with a soaring rendition of Across the Wind. All the players then joined together to perform Coldplay's Viva La Vida (with Todd Bernsdorf on drums), and I must admit I had a "heart-squeeze" moment when the fifth graders came in at the end!! Click on this post to see the program.

Next Wednesday and Thursday, the Sixth Grade Orchestra is very pleased to invite our district's fifth grade violin and cello players to Breakfast at White Hill. The groups will chat and eat together, then rehearse Viva La Vida, which is the combined finale piece at our concert in two weeks' time. Hidden Valley and Wade Thomas students will be coming on Wednesday 13th January, and Brookside and Manor students will be coming on Thursday 14th January. We're looking forward to it!