Back Young Strings Orchestra debuts at spring concert

May 4th, 2012

You know about the talented Brentwood Baptist Orchestra that leads our congregation in the Worship Center on Sunday mornings.

You've probably even seen our Student Orchestra join them on occasion.

And you've been introduced to BWAC at some point—Brentwood Worshiping Arts Center, offering private music and voice lessons during the spring and fall.

But now, there's an instrumental musical outlet for all ages, but way of the newest addition to the Brentwood Baptist Instrumental Ministry at the beginning of this year—the Young Strings Orchestra.

"For a couple of years, we've seen a need for something to bridge the gap for young string students between private lessons and playing in a group," said Mike Lawrence, Instrumental Minister at Brentwood Baptist. "I knew there were several students interested in something like this, so we decided to start it up."

With the first semester on the books, they trained 16 ranging from grades 2-8, four of whom are also in the Student Orchestra.

"There's so much to learn when you play with a group as opposed to playing as a soloist in lessons. You keep the same temp, keep the same volume level, and play things exactly like your neighbor. There's a lot for them to learn at that age, so that's another one of the reasons we started it," Mike said.

During the semester, Mike Lawrence was joined by fellow instructors Paul Gilchrist, who has taught in public schools and been an orchestra director for more than 20 years, and Joshua Shepherd, who has a doctorate in viola performance and teaches through BWAC.

To cap off the first semester, the group of junior musicians performed their first concert on Sunday, April 29 in the Worship Center for family and friends, alongside the student and adult orchestras.

Young Strings plan to ramp up for a new semester this fall, hoping to eventually add brass, woodwinds, percussion, and rhythm to their group.

For more information or to sign your child up for the upcoming semester of the Young Strings Orchestra that begins August 26, e-mail Mike Lawrence. Young Strings does not require an audition. However, the Student Orchestra requires three scales and sight reading.

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