- MHS Symphonic Strings -

Performance at IMEC 2022

Thursday, January 27

4:15pm - CC Room 403/404 -

In the Spring of 2018, the MHS Symphonic Strings ensemble set a goal. Fresh off of a performance of Grieg’s Holberg Suite at the Krannert Orchestra Symposium at the University of Illinois, the ensemble sent an audition tape to IMEA for consideration at that year’s All-State Convention. They were denied. However, Mr. Getz printed out the rejection email and displayed it in the Orchestra room. “Failure is just a part of the journey to success; it’s not an endpoint.” For the next two years, the Symphonic Strings sent in audition tapes every spring. Then, in the fall of 2020, in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they received some much needed good news. Their audition was accepted for performance at IMEC in Peoria, IL! Sadly, because of the pandemic, the conference was delayed a year, which meant that the actual performance was still over a year away. However, this was a huge milestone for the Morton Orchestra program. It was a chance to finally be recognized at the state level for their accomplishments. For a high school with an enrollment of less than 1,000 students, for a group of 30 young men and women to achieve success at this level is inspiring.

Picture above is the 2019-20 Symphonic Strings Ensemble. This group’s performance of Britten’s “Simply Symphony" and George Walker’s “Lyric for Strings,” was the audition tape that contributed to the group’s acceptance to perform at IMEC.

Picture above is the 2019-20 Symphonic Strings Ensemble. This group’s performance of Britten’s “Simply Symphony" and George Walker’s “Lyric for Strings,” was the audition tape that contributed to the group’s acceptance to perform at IMEC.