Members of the 8th Grade Orchestra made a field trip on Thursday, May 22nd to the St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids.

St. Cecilia Music Center was established in 1883 by nine Grand Rapids women, the organization was named for the legendary patron saint of music. Students leaned about the centers history, renovations, and the impact of music center has in the West Michigan performing arts community.

During the tour our piano players had an opportunity to test and compare different Steinway and Yamaha pianos throughout the center.

After our tour the orchestra experienced the acoustics of the performance hall with a rehearsal and a workshop with Duo Shen an Associate Conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony. The workshop was about hour long with the music the 8th orchestra performed at their Spring Concert followed by a Q&A session with Mr. Shen.

Not sure who enjoyed the workshop more, the parents listening or the kids in the workshop they sounded awesome. The venue is amazing and highly recommend visiting St. Cecilia Music Center to enjoy one of the many performances they host.