More than 700 students participate in the Lynchburg City Schools Strings Program, and nearly all of them were at E. C. Glass in late March, performing at the 41st Annual Suzuki Festival Concert. Students were represented at every grade level, from every Lynchburg City School.
This year, the orchestra opened with “Rocky Top” in honor of Dr. Larry Massie, and they did a Michael Jackson tribute medley. This concert progressed from the very advanced songs, to cello, viola, bass selections and ended with more than 500 students on stage for the Twinkle Variations.
LCS is the only public school system in the surrounding Lynchburg area that offers string instruction. The program utilizes the Suzuki Method in the elementary schools. Students can start violin instruction as early as Kindergarten. Many students reach middle and high school with highly developed playing skills. At the 2012 Concert Assessment, all LCS middle and high school orchestras received Superior ratings. The number of students participating in Senior Regional and All-Virginia Orchestra is increasing annually.
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