Clarence, Akron Middle School Orchestras Combine For Lesson

Students in the middle school orchestras at Clarence and Akron shared smiles as they found that they could make a bigger, bolder sound by working together.

“It’s bringing a sense of community to the orchestra world,” said Akron music teacher Courtney Sanville, who developed the event with Clarence music teacher Daniel Polino. “The kids are meeting students just like themselves.” 

This year is the second that the two neighboring schools brought their musical groups together. During the combined lesson at Akron’s Multi-Purpose Room on February 12, the approximately 90 students from the two orchestra groups performed multiple pieces spanning eras and styles, from “Burst!” by Brian Balmages to “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. 

“They play those chords together, and with those numbers you can feel it when they play,” Polino said. 

The two school groups also connected through icebreaker games which encouraged students to introduce themselves and to ask each other questions. Both Sanville and Polino said their students shared excitement about the chance to enjoy the combined performance experience.

More information about the Clarence Music Department can be found at https://www.clarenceschools.org/music.