PAGE A16, KEIZERTIMES, MAY 06, 2022
McNary's Celebration of Music lights up the Elsinore
Feel -Good
STORY
Saluting the people that make
us proud of our community
presented by
BY LYNDON ZAITZ
Of the Keizertimes
McNary High School’s performing arts
groups staged its Celebration of Music at the
historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem, on Tuesday,
May 3, in what is hoped to be the first of a new
annual tradition.
The Highlander Classics choir, the Chamber
Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Advanced
Symphony Orchestra presented a two-hour
performance, highlighting each of the groups.
After they were in their seats, Sean Williams,
director of orchestras, welcomed the audience.
He related that Elizabeth Herring, director of
bands, was the driving force behind the eve-
ning—a welcome performance after COVID
forced cancellations of concerts over recent
years.
The evening began with five selections by
the Highlander Classics, led by director Dr.
Trumpeters play during rehearsals for McNary’s Celebration of Music at the Elsinore Theatre
on Tuesday, May 3.
Photo by JOSHUA MANES of Keizertimes
Victor Ceja warms up on the flute during wind ensemble rehearsals at the
Elsinore Theatre for McNary’s Celebration of Music on Tuesday, May 3.
Jeffrey Larkin. The voices filled the theatre, fol-
lowed by cheers and applause.
After a set change, the Chamber Orchestra
took to the stage with five pieces. Hannah
Eggert was the featured player on Girl with
the Flaxen Hair (Claude Debussy). Benjamin
Standley, on viola, and Tyshin Nguyen on cello,
were the featured musicians on October (Eric
Whitacre).
Nguyen, a senior, marveled at the grandeur
of the Elsinore Theatre, saying its acoustics
were better than at the Ken Collins Theatre
at McNary, where the orchestra regularly
performs.
The Wind Ensemble, under the direction
of Elizabeth Herring, gave the audience three
pieces that kept toes tapping.
Finishing out the show was the advanced
symphony orchestra, led by Williams. They
played three pieces, with alto saxophonist Sam
Banton the featured performer on Mourning
Song (M.L. Daniels).
The final piece of the evening, Let There
Be Peace on Earth (Miller & Jackson), saw the
Highlander choir lining the aisles to accom-
pany the orchestra.
Tyler Payne, a percussionist, was happy to
celebrate his birthday on the Elsinore stage with
his friends. He also plays the euphonium and
has taken part in the popular Tuba Christmas
held in each year at the Elsinore Theatre.
The best part of the evening for Hannah
Kuper, clarinetist and concert mistress, was per-
forming with friends. “Everyone is friends,” she
said.
Salem-Keizer is recognized state-wide as
having robust and supported arts programs,
especially in music. One hundred-fourteen stu-
dents proved Tuesday at the Elsinore Theatre
that the support was justified.
Dougie Howard plays the violin during symphony rehearsals for McNary’s Celebration of
Music at the Elsinore Theatre on Tuesday, May 3.
Photo by JOSHUA MANES of Keizertimes
Carlos Sanchez plays the clarinet during wind ensemble rehearsals for McNary’s Celebration of Music at the Elsinore
Theatre on Tuesday, May 3.
Photo by JOSHUA MANES of Keizertimes
Photo by JOSHUA MANES of Keizertimes
Sean Williams directs
the McNary chamber
orchestra during re-
hearsals for the Celebra-
tion of Music concert at
the Elsinore Theatre on
Tuesday, May 3.
Photo
by
JOSHUA
of Keizertimes
MANES