CCHS Orchestra to debut an original orchestra piece

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City High School Orchestra will have a unique musical offering for its upcoming concert next week.

The high schoolers will be performing an original composition written especially for them by a professional composer.

“It’s really exciting,” said orchestra director Sam Naumann.

The string orchestra piece, “Four Future Memories,” was created by Stephanie Ann Boyd as part of the 50 State String Orchestra Project, which is dedicated to connecting composers to classrooms by helping schools commission original works at reduced rates.

Meeting through a friend of a friend, Naumann and Boyd were able to get in touch with each other to bring this musical opportunity to Charles City.

“I’m so happy about being able to work with Sam on this,” said Boyd.

A New York-based composer and violinist, Boyd has written seven previous orchestra pieces that have been played by professional orchestras around the world. For “Four Future Memories,” she aimed closer to home, creating a three-piece set inspired by her own memories of attending high school in Michigan.

“I was trying to mine my high school memories for something a little more interesting,” Boyd said.

The Charles City High School orchestra began rehearsing the piece in December and, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, Boyd was able to hear the results of their work. Meeting the class through a live video call, Boyd listened to the high schoolers play her piece and offered notes as a long-distance guest director.

“I’m very impressed with you all,” said Boyd to the class after hearing them play.

“Four Future Memories” will debut at the orchestra concert in the Comet Gym on Monday, Feb. 13, beginning at 7 p.m.

Senior violinist Natalie White said, “I think it’s an awesome opportunity. It’s really awesome to be able to play a piece of music that not a lot of people have ever played before.”