SSO Music Memory winners 2011

Congratulations to all area elementary schools, students and teachers who participated in the SSO 2011 Music Memory Competition

South Highlands - Charles Brutus, music teacher

Arthur Circle - Jessica Wright, music teacher

Apollo - Raynelle Stanage, music teacher

Stockwell Place - Lauren Bamburg, music teacher

W.T. Lewis - Jennifer Perhala, music teacher

Sun City - Rachel Garlington, music teacher

First place winner, Apollo Elm

Raynelle Stanage, teacher

Third place winner, South Highlands Elm - Charles Brutus, teacher

 Second place winner, W.T. Lewis Elm

 Jennifer Perhala, teacher

SSO's 2011 Music Memory competition was a remarkable and memorable event last evening. Even the threat of thunderstorms and a downpour which abated just before showtime couldn't deter the student contestants from their focus and determination to "name that tune" and the composer in what has become an annual competition.

I had the privilege of playing on stage in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra last night in the South Highlands Performing Arts Center while these area elementary students listened to only a few notes or a few seconds of music as announced with a number by SSO Music Director Michael Butterman and then played by the orchestra. Quite a challenge. There were 14 excerpts in all, from Mozart's opera Don Giovanni to Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. Students wrote their answers on an official sheet to be turned in after all excerpts had been played. Final results can be seen in photos of the school winners above.

During tabulation of the answers the SSO played a free 40 minute concert which included  movements from Beethoven Symphony No.5, Schubert Symphony No. 5 and several arias from the operas Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro sung by Shreveport Opera's SOX vocalists, soprano Amelia Davis and baritone Andre Chiang.

Individual winners and additional photos can be seen on my orchestra blog.

http://www.shreveportmusicians4ever.blogspot.com/