Making music: Terre Haute Symphony inspires future musicians

Apr. 9—Vigo County School Corp. fourth-graders roared their approval with applause and cheers after the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra finished a rousing performance of the "Star Wars" theme music Tuesday.

The students filled Indiana State University's Tilson Auditorium for the symphony's annual Adventure Concert.

"Hey everyone, are you glad to be here?" asked symphony conductor and artistic director David Bowden. Students' enthusiastic response affirmed that they were.

"We love music ... We love making music," the charismatic Bowden told them. "We want you to want to make music."

And some day, they, too, could be up on stage playing the "Star Wars" theme as members of the symphony, Bowden said, pointing to one musician — Will Mayhew — who once sat in the audience as a child and drew inspiration from symphony performances.

The interactive Adventure Concert program reaches more than 3,000 students each year, and three concerts took place Tuesday. The first was for all Vigo County School Corp. fourth-graders and a few schools from other districts.

Two additional performances were open to non-VCSC public schools, private schools and homeschool students.

The concerts introduce students to the instruments and instrument families, share familiar favorites like "Star Wars" and "The Nutcracker," and encourage students to play an instrument.

"We hope to excite a love of music and also to see some of these students pursue music as part of their lives," said Greg Bierly, a Terre Haute Symphony board member.

During the program, students were introduced to the four families of orchestra music: strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.

Bowden talked about instruments from each "family" and symphony members demonstrated the instrument's capabilities, including one musician using a double bass to play the suspenseful theme from the movie "Jaws."

Later, the entire strings section played Mozart's "A Little Night Music."

At one point, Bowden told the audience that "every single one of you came with an instrument — your voice." And everyone stood up and sang patriotic songs including "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America," accompanied by the symphony.

The audience later heard the harp solo from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker."

At the conclusion, Bowden told students, "It's your turn," and he encouraged them to think about musical instruments they might like to try.

"Remember, making music is so much more fun than just listening to it," Bowden said. "It is so wonderful."

Among those dazzled by the Adventure Concert was Mackenna Stewart, a Terre Town Elementary fourth-grader.

"It was awesome. It gave us a lot of information that we really needed to help us if we want to become a musician," Stewart said. "I really would like to play the harp and the violin."

Nolan Todd, also a Terre Town student, said, "I liked all the instruments. I thought they did a really good job." He'd like to learn how to play a brass instrument, possibly a trumpet.

His favorite music during the concert was from "Star Wars."

Terre Town student Karsyn Newburn said her favorite instrument was the flute, and she hopes to play one someday.

Terre Town teacher Mandy Hazelwood said students enjoy the concert and it inspires them. "It's nice they have the opportunity to come and experience the symphony," she said.

The Vigo County Education Foundation funds bus transportation so students can attend.

After the concert, Bowden said the Adventure concerts "are the most important thing we do every year. We're not just playing for them, we're trying to encourage them to want to make music. That's the whole point."

He added, "Making music changes lives, literally. It changes lives."

When they learn to make music, they can do it for the rest of their lives, Bowden said. It also brings joy to their lives.

"Every person on stage here is passionate about making music and the thrill of it. I want them (students) to experience that," he said. "This is my musical mission in life — to turn kids on to making music," and to do the same for adults, as well.

Vigo County School Corp. students reap other benefits from the THSO Adventure program. Prior to the concert, symphony musicians travel to each VCSC elementary school and provide instrument presentations as a preview to the concert.

In follow-up sessions after the concert, symphony musicians meet with VCSC elementary students via Zoom for a virtual question/answer session. Students have the opportunity to ask about musician schooling, how musicians make a living, what inspired them to play their instruments, and more.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at [email protected]. Follow Sue on X at @TribStarSue.