Lowell — The violins came to a soft finish, bows moving slowly as the music faded during Lowell High School musicians’ rehearsal of Edvard Grieg’s “Ase’s Death” from “Peer Gynt Suite No. 1,” Op. 46.
“Make sure to breathe through this piece. It’s easy to hold your breath here,” said Director Wendy Tenney moments earlier as she conducted, her baton moving in harmony while students played through the dramatic ending.
Members of the school’s top audition group, the chamber orchestra, and top section leaders from the high school band, were preparing for an evening during which they will perform Tuesday, Dec. 2 seated next to some of West Michigan’s most esteemed professional musicians during a Side by Side Grand Rapids Symphony concert at Lowell Performing Arts Center, 11700 Vergennes St. SE. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
‘It makes me want to play my instrument everywhere, and do more with it, maybe one day be in the Grand Rapids Symphony.’
— senior violinist Leah Schwinkendorf
The repertoire will include Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and the Edvard Grieg piece, which features the famous “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” The high school symphony orchestra will join the group for a seasonal selection at the end of the performance.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It reflects all the hard work we’ve all done and have been doing, and I’m really grateful to be in this orchestra where I have this opportunity,” said senior violinist Leah Schwinkendorf. “We’re definitely working with the symphony’s techniques, and we are trying to prepare ourselves to perform with professionals. It’s kind of cool to be involved in a higher-thinking way to prepare your instrument.”
Learning from the Maestros
The Grand Rapids Symphony approached Tenney about hosting the concert, and she was eager for the opportunity. Pre-pandemic, the symphony hosted Side by Side concerts with high schools, including Lowell.
“We really have an outstanding program in the state, and it’s really nice to give these kids extra encouragement for all the work that they do to be at a high level,” said Tenney, who is a substitute cellist with the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Jennifer Onuigbo, senior director of community engagement & education for the Grand Rapids Symphony, said side-by-side concerts give young musicians the chance to play challenging repertoire alongside professional musicians, and a chance for the symphony to demonstrate that music can be a fulfilling full-time career. Another such concert is planned with Grand Rapids City High School on Feb. 10 at Ottawa Hills High School.
“The goal with all of our youth programs is not only to encourage young people to pursue music, but to create a generation of people who know, appreciate and support art and culture in various forms,” Onuigbo said. “
Side by Sides have also proven to be stepping stones for young musicians into other deeply engaging performance and educational opportunities, like Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Mosaic scholarships, she said.
In preparation, Conductor Joel Schut has worked with the students, and symphony musicians have led sectional rehearsals with students. Several students have rehearsed at home with tutors who are in the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Leah said she’s inspired to do more with her violin.
“It makes me want to play my instrument everywhere, and do more with it, maybe one day be in the Grand Rapids Symphony or some type of symphony like it. It really feels like the next step, so I’m really pumped to do it.”
Junior violinist Adelaide Plank worked with a Grand Rapids Symphony member in her sectional, and was challenged to play differently than she ever had before.
“It’s really interesting to get their feedback, because they will tell us to try and do things that I’ve never thought of doing before,” Adelaide said.
“They are a lot more advanced than we are, and so it’s interesting … because they interpret it a lot more deeply than just a high school orchestra would. I like seeing how dedicated they are to it, so it inspires me to practice more.”
Senior Ainsley Ray said she is looking forward to getting advice from talented and distinguished musicians, and to learn how they quickly adapt and make modifications throughout the performance.
“I’m definitely excited, but I’m kind of nervous,” said Ainsley, a senior violinist. “They’ve been playing for so long, I think to myself, this is my seventh year, but for them it’s probably their 27th year playing an instrument.”
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