The Highlands High School strings class took a trip to New York over fall break. This trip was a great opportunity for the class and their teacher, Meredith Reber, to learn from experts while exploring the city.
This trip immensely affected how the class is run today. The students developed some new skills that they took back from New York to their classroom.
Roland Hensley (9) said: “We went to a master class and a conductor worked with us with our songs.”
Michael Adelson, the conductor of the master class, has an impressive repertoire. According to chorusamerica.org, Adelson has conducted the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, and several other orchestras. With so much experience on the subject, even Reber couldn’t help but learn from him.
Reber said: “My favorite part of the strings trip was taking a master class with a staff conductor of the New York Philharmonic… He was incredible, I mean he has such a vast wealth of knowledge on the subject.”
Reber was able to incorporate what she and her class learned from Adelson into their everyday classes.
Of course, the trip wasn’t only for learning.
Isabella Carty (9) said, “I feel like the bonding experience definitely made the freshmen get to know the upperclassmen a lot better.”
Not only did the class grow closer from the experience and gain more knowledge on their subject, but they were able to explore New York City.
The students had a full schedule to ensure they saw the best parts of New York. Some of their activities included visiting the Statue of Liberty, the metropolitan, seeing the New York Philharmonic, and even watching the Broadway musical Wicked.
Seeing professional orchestra players of the New York Philharmonic inspired students to play their best and work hard practicing each day. The New York trip changed many aspects of the strings class, from the way it is conducted to how close the class is as a whole.
