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Instrumental Students Share Sounds and Smiles
Student musicians treated the school community to a pair of instrumental performances that showcased a range of talent from the school and the city of Chicago.
Parker’s annual autumn String and Orchestra Concert marked the Middle and Upper School student orchestra’s first performances of the year.
The Fiddle Club opened the show before concertmaster and senior Wells Gjerlow and pianist and senior Josh Gourdji performed unaccompanied works by JS Bach and Chopin. Next, the orchestras gave a nod to the 25th anniversary of “My Heart Will Go On” from the motion picture Titanic and joined forces in supporting student members of the newly formed Lower School Suzuki Violin Ensemble as they performed.
As a special treat, guest CSO mezzo-soprano Diane Bryks collaborated with Upper School Orchestra Conductor Michael Hining as he led students in a performance of Symphony #3 (“Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”) by Henryk Gorecki.
Later that same week, the Upper School orchestra led a Morning Ex to reprise their prior performance for an audience of their peers and Parker employees.
Parker’s annual autumn String and Orchestra Concert marked the Middle and Upper School student orchestra’s first performances of the year.
The Fiddle Club opened the show before concertmaster and senior Wells Gjerlow and pianist and senior Josh Gourdji performed unaccompanied works by JS Bach and Chopin. Next, the orchestras gave a nod to the 25th anniversary of “My Heart Will Go On” from the motion picture Titanic and joined forces in supporting student members of the newly formed Lower School Suzuki Violin Ensemble as they performed.
As a special treat, guest CSO mezzo-soprano Diane Bryks collaborated with Upper School Orchestra Conductor Michael Hining as he led students in a performance of Symphony #3 (“Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”) by Henryk Gorecki.
Later that same week, the Upper School orchestra led a Morning Ex to reprise their prior performance for an audience of their peers and Parker employees.
Enjoy photos and videos from these experiences here.
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.