A Night With the Fort Worth Symphony

Image: L-R: (front row kneeling) Madison Washington (front row) Reagan Adams, Brenya Williams, Amber Hooker, ??, April Lusk, Alexis Sampley, Kirsten Viator (back row) Whitney Wolaver, Jesus Perez, Ryan Connor, Emily Stiles, Elliott Worsham, Kendrick Norwood

L-R: (front row kneeling) Madison Washington (front row) Reagan Adams, Brenya Williams, Amber Hooker, ??, April Lusk, Alexis Sampley, Kirsten Viator (back row) Whitney Wolaver, Jesus Perez, Ryan Connor, Emily Stiles, Elliott Worsham, Kendrick Norwood

Members of the Italy High School varsity band enjoyed a night out on the town in Fort Worth as part of a summer band attendance incentive. Students that didn’t miss any summer band rehearsals were treated to see the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra perform a concert that featured music by American composer, George Gershwin. Selections included An American in Paris, Catfish Row Suite from Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue, and show tunes like I Got Rhythm, Swanee, and Embraceable You. Featured performers were Broadway music star, Doug LaBrecque (tenor) and winner for the international Van Cliburn piano competition, Jon Nakamatsu.

After the concert, Edward Jones, principal tubist for the FW Symphony and colleague of Mr. Graves, granted the students backstage access for a behind the scenes look at Bass Performance Hall. He talked to the students about the backstage equipment and the sound “shell” that is designed to make the music project out towards the audience.

Students that participated in the trip were:

Reagan Adams
Ryan Connor
Ty Hamilton
Amber Hooker
April Lusk
Kendrick Norwood
Alexis Sampley
Emily Stiles
Kirsten Viator
Madison Washington
Brenya Williams
Whitney Wolaver
Elliott Worsham