At the end of April, our Lincoln & Emerson Middle School band and orchestra students hit the road for an exciting performance tour of our district’s elementary schools! These talented musicians visited students in grades 3–5, sharing their passion for music and giving younger students a glimpse into what they can look forward to as future members of our instrumental music program.
Each stop on the tour included lively performances from both the band and orchestra, showcasing a variety of pieces that highlighted the skills and growth of our middle school students. The goal of the tour was twofold: to celebrate the accomplishments of our current middle school musicians and to spark interest among our elementary students as they begin thinking about joining band and orchestra. Judging by the enthusiastic applause, wide eyes, and excitement from the audience, the performances did just that!
Erica Faulhaber, Curriculum Specialist for Instrumental Music, shared her excitement about the tour: "This tour is such a meaningful experience for both our current students and those just beginning their musical journey. It’s powerful for younger students to see what’s possible with dedication and practice, and our middle schoolers take so much pride in being able to inspire the next generation of musicians."
We are so proud of our middle school musicians for representing our program with energy, confidence, and kindness. They served as excellent role models, demonstrating not only their musical abilities but also their leadership and commitment. We’re looking forward to welcoming a new group of budding musicians into our program next year—thanks in part to the inspiration provided by this tour.
A very special thank-you goes out to our dedicated band and orchestra teachers: Liz Ballinger, Natalie Briggs, Erica Faulhaber, Max Hellermann, Ilona Hutter, Sean Rybak, Alex Teater and Connor Yoon for making this experience possible. Their work preparing students was instrumental in the success of this tour. Their commitment to student growth and musical excellence continues to make a lasting impact across our schools.
Click here for photos from the Lincoln tour to Roosevelt and Washington.
Click here for photos from the Emerson tour to Field, Franklin and Carpenter.
