Students in the Sixth-Grade and Middle School strings programs enjoyed opportunities for extra performances this spring, giving interested musicians the opportunity to stretch and show their talent and skill.

Members of both groups attended the Kings Dominion Festival of Music in Ashland, Virginia, on Friday, May 5 — the first opportunity students have had to do so since 2019 — to perform for park attendees. The performance was evaluated by three of the festival’s nationally recognized adjudicators and composers, who gave the Ravens three “Superior” ratings and a “Superior Rating” plaque.

The next day, five Middle School violinists traveled to White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina, for the Junior Eastern Regional Orchestra Clinic, which is sponsored each year by the N.C. Music Educator’s Association. The tradition of gathering together young string players in the state dates back to the 1960s. 

As strings director Pamela Kelly explained, Ravenscroft’s Fine Arts Department has had a longstanding relationship with NCME and has supported many students in participating in their All-State (or Honors) Orchestra, Band and Choir. The Eastern Regional Orchestra (for musicians in ninth-12th grades) and Junior Eastern Regional Orchestra (for fifth-eighth grades) offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique collaborative and creative experience with fellow students in their area.  

Students wishing to participate in JERO were required to audition on March 4, which required months of preparation and a commitment to travel for the clinic and subsequent performance. Karolyna Huntanar ’27, Carson Hatefi ’28, Rainy Ye ’27, Isabelle Sotomayor ’27 and Eve Munford ’28 were selected from among more than 200 auditioning violinists from orchestra programs around eastern North Carolina vying for the 40 available seats.

“The auditions, clinic and concert events all require the use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills and connect students and instructors [from a variety of schools] into one space in which everyone speaks the language of music,” Kelly said.

They shared that the experiences were worthwhile, fun and instructive.

“I was excited for the Kings Dominion trip because it was the first time I had gotten the opportunity to travel with the school strings ensemble, and it made me eager for future traveling opportunities,” Karolyna said. “My favorite part about participating in JERO was getting the opportunity to play with other players and receive instruction from new teachers, which helped me to gain new, useful skills.”

“I decided to participate in [JERO] because it provides many different leadership skills,” Carson said. “Some of skills I learned was how to pulse, cue for people behind me and listen for other instruments in the orchestra.”

“I enjoyed spending time with other violinists, and it was a great experience playing in a larger orchestra in a different environment,” Rainy said. 

“My favorite part about participating in JERO was the fact that I got to play such spectacular pieces, get some of the best classical training and make new friends,” Isabelle added. “The trip as a whole was an amazing experience that I hope to continue next year.

“Performing in the JERO was an experience I’ll never forget. It completely changed my perspective on performing, and playing, the violin,” Eve concluded. “Even though these pieces were difficult, we worked through it together.”

Kelly said she was impressed by the students’ willingness to prepare for their auditions and commit to so much travel in one weekend. 

“It made me so happy to see all of you engaging in the music during the rehearsals, having fun together during the breaks and giving it your personal best at the concert,” she wrote in an email to the JERO participants and their parents. “You were wonderful representatives of Ravenscroft, the Fine Arts Department, and our strings program.”

Congratulations to these strings students for their “Superior” ratings at the Kings Dominion Festival of Music: