Aria for String Orchestra, Orchestra Commission Premiere
Rachael Altekruse, orchestra director for John R. Lewis High School, came to me with a special request. She wanted an all-inclusive piece so that every single one of her students could perform. A master teacher of all levels, her orchestra ranges from true beginners to All-Regional performers. I thought the idea was beautiful and said “yes” immediately.
In early 2020 there was already a lot going on in the world and in the USA socially and politically. As music teachers, our primary job is to teach people and music just so happens to be the best way for us to teach it. To paraphrase Suzuki, somewhere in the act of trying to make beautiful music daily, “we get beautiful hearts.” Working for a master teacher who wanted every voice to be heard in a socially and politically intense atmosphere, I settled on an Aria for String Orchestra. Each voice is as important as a soloist in an aria yet is essential to making the string orchestra piece whole.
Then COVID shut the world down. The premiere was put on hold. Rachael and her students persevered. They worked through COVID times, the program survived virtual learning, and when we returned, she not only had her old orchestra but new members ready to join.
Though delayed, the premiere was a tremendous success. I had the fortune to work with her incredible orchestra and got 10x out of the rehearsal what I put into it thanks to her engaged, energized, and creative orchestra! They were superbly prepared and put on a spectacular performance!