The last time it happened was four years ago. On Thursday, May 22, 2008 every member of Marshfield’s string program played together at the All Town Strings Orchestra Concert in the Furnace Brook Middle School Auditorium.

The Orchestra included students from third grade beginners to High School seniors and played to a packed house. One would never know that the group had only one opportunity to rehearse as a unit. The night is a chance for beginners to see what lies ahead and for the more accomplished to remember how it all started.

The grade 4 and grade 5 Morning Orchestra, made up of musicians from all 5 elementary schools, and conducted by Mrs. Pamela Johnson, played Musette, Happy Dance and Ode to Joy. The students should be very proud of their performance that delighted the audience.

The Beginning Strings students performed Twinkle Little Star and Mary had a Little Lamb. There appears to be a lot of talent coming up the ranks if this performance has any indication of what is to come.

The 6th grade Strings performed the upbeat melody Boggie in the Straw. Under the direction of Miss Laura Ridarelli, the 7th and 8th grade Orchestra performed the dramatic piece Dragonhunter. The Middle School students are very gifted and show great promise for the program as they advance toward the High School.

The evening was capped with a truly awesome performance from the High School String Concert Orchestra. Miss Ridarelli directed this exceptionally talented group of musicians in performance of Ridin’ the Rails and they were joined by the 8th grade Orchestra in a rendition of Can You Feel the Love Tonight? The performance was inspirational and clearly exhibited the students’ love for music and for playing music.

Finally, students from grades 4 through 12 combined as one to play the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. It was truly hard to believe that they had had only one other opportunity to play together. They were a credit to themselves and their instructors and an excellent example of what the quality music program in Marshfield is all about.

Special thanks go to the parents of these students who made the extra effort to get their musicians to early morning practices and to the instructors, Mrs. Johnson and Miss Ridarelli, for coordinating the system wide program.

This performance bodes well for the future of music in Marshfield and is evidence of what can be achieved by the time our students graduate from Marshfield High. The Friends of Music is proud to be a part of keeping the arts alive in this community and proud to be associated with such talented and dedicated musicians.