Local Youth Treated to a Day of Magic in Music

Friday March 4th, at the McNease Convention Center, the San Angelo Symphony presented it's "Magic In Music" Youth Concert, sponsored by the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation. There were two performances, one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 12:30 p.m., and thousands of children from the San Angelo Independent School went out to enjoy the magic of the music.

Courtney Mahaffey, executive director of the San Angelo Symphony, said, "This is our 31st year and we are proud to have close to 2,400 SAISD and Regional students in attendance. It is our largest free educational program where the students are taught the TEKS approved curriculum prior to the event, learning about the instruments, music, and repertoire." With a proud smile, she Mahaffey added, "It is my favorite thing we do and I love it."

The room was filled with 3rd through 5th graders, accompanied by their individual school chaperons. Although they had some idea of what they were about to see, they all anxiously awaited in anticipation, watching as the musicians fine tuned their instruments. A lull of whispers, shifting in seats, and a mood of anticipation could be seen and heard as students representing numerous schools from Austin Elementary to TLC Academy prepared to be entertained. For many, it would be their first time seeing a performance of this magnitude, but many of them have heard the songs played in many popular children's movies.

The Musicians were seated in a semi circle and dressed in elegant formal wear facing a man in a black tuxedo, when all of a sudden, the audience lights dimmed. A hush fell over the room, and the magic began. With the utmost professionalism and authority, Hector Guzman, conductor for the SAS, welcomed the students and asked that they all rise and join in on honoring America by singing the "Star Spangled Banner."  With hands over hearts, the youth looked toward the United States Flag, and in unison sang every word with the utmost dignity and respect, as the Symphony accompanied them.

"The Sorcerers Apprentice," from the movie "Fantasia," was the first piece performed. The kids watched on memorizing the ethereal sounds. All eyes were focused forward, and for that moment in time, the magical ambiance encompassed every imagination present. At the conclusion of the piece, little hands clapped, smiling faces whispered to their neighbors, and then gazed back toward the stage ready for the next song.

Guzman then introduced a special guest, John O'Bryant, a Magician, and "oohs" and "ahhs" echoed throughout the room. O'Bryant is a full time magician, originally from San Antonio, Texas, and said today was his second time taking part in this event. He said he is "mostly self-taught, but has had many mentors and attends many conventions for his craft." He travels and collaborates with many schools, theaters and symphonies.

During his presentation, O'Bryant asked for a volunteer from the audience. "Alex," a 9-year-old 3rd grader from Glenmore Elementary eagerly raised his hand. The trick of paper, cloth, and rope had the children clapping, blinking their eyes in amazement and wriggling in their seats. As the next song was introduced, O'Bryant encouraged the children, "Use your imagination to come up with a story in your mind." Sighs from the girls and smiles from the boys brightened the room when the theme song from the movie "Cinderella, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" ensued.

Guzman then took the opportunity to introduce his "family," meaning the different sections of the Symphony. He said there were "four groups: String, Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion." Each section stood up on cue and demonstrated the various sounds their individual instruments made by playing a sound byte. He explained the Violas sound a little darker than the violins, while the even bigger cello has a deeper sound. The even bigger double bass played a few notes of "La Cucaracha" and the kids laughed and clapped with joy. The Piccolo player played a snippet of "If I Only had a Brain" from the Wizard of Oz as a demonstration, and a crowd favorite was when the Bass Clarinet played their piece. The crowd applauded loudly, and a young girl whispered, "I knew that was from the Lion King!"

As the performance progressed with more familiar tunes such as "Flight to Neverland," another from Harry Potter, and Star Wars Darth Vader, the excitement from the crowd grew in intensity. Every child knew most of the songs and smiling faces exhibited confidence as they sang along. Many of the kids mimicked Guzman as the music played, waving their own arms as if conducting.

Mom Misty Searsy home schools her daughter Madeline, and is associated with the "Classic Conversations-North" division that meets at the Co-op. Madeline said she plays the Violin and even "won state," last year, which was her first big competition. She also takes ballet classes and agreed with her mother, perhaps their favorite composer is Tchaikovsky,(Pyotr Ilyich) who is well known for his many works including: "The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty."

It was an extremely educational and entertaining event which will resonate in the minds and hearts of these children for many years to come.

For 66 years, the San Angelo Symphony has been an oasis of cultural activity in a 13-county region of West Texas known as the Concho Valley. The annual Youth Concerts are just one of the free educational events the San Angelo Symphony offers.

For more information, please contact the Symphony office at 325-658-5877, or visit their website at www.sanangelosymphony.org.