Summer Orchestra campers lugging large musical instruments were a common sight around campus in June and July – and some of the instruments were almost as large as the students!

As part of the summer Music Institute, 15 students spent three hours a day practicing on their instruments. Taught by Louis Hoffman, lower school (LS) orchestra teacher; Chris Florio, middle- and upper school (MS and US) orchestra teacher; Toni Woodruff, strings specialist and after-school music teacher; and Alex Osorio, woodwind specialist and after-school music teacher, the workshop culminated in a concert in the Bucknall gym on the last day of the session.

Florio introduced the orchestra, which opened the show with “Harry Potter,” and then played “Barcarolle.” Woodruff conducted the last two pieces, “Over the Rainbow,” and “Ode to Joy,” with Osorio accompanying the orchestra on saxophone. The appreciative audience included parents and family members of the performers, campers, staff and faculty from the K-Gr. 8 academic sessions and Gr. 1-8 Zoom sessions, as well as Sarah Leonard, primary division head.