Honors Orchestra performs at Tigert; a homecoming for Teresa Norton

Last week, Tigert Middle School hosted district honors orchestra for the first time, bringing in students from Snake River, Blackfoot, Soda Springs, as well as a number of home schooled students.  In addition to Orchestra Director Debbie Hansen, special guest conductor Teresa Norton was featured leading the group through three pieces at the end of the day, which were performed for students and parents.  

The performance pieces included “Gauntlet” by Doug Spata, “Hallelujah” arranged by Robert Longfield, and “Chasing the Storm” by Deborah Baker Monday.

Most of the day was spent in sectionals, with a number of volunteer musicians working alongside school faculty to provide focused input and instruction to the group of eager young learners.  First violins were led by Aimee Harris, and second violins by Maggie Price.  Long time music teacher Kathleen Campbell worked with the violas.  Allen Renfroe and Tanner Davis led the cello sectionals.  Bass was headed up by Anne Olorenshaw. 

Longtime music teacher Kathleen Campbell was in attendance for the performance, which was conducted by her former student Teresa Norton.  Orchestra in Caribou County has been evolving for a long time, mostly under Campbell’s watchful eye.  As she explains, “When my husband and I moved to Soda Springs in 1974 I thought I was the only violin player around for miles.  (It turns out that there were two other violinists in Soda Springs who had played in the past.)   Only band and choir were taught in the public schools.  It became a goal of mine to get a string program into the schools.  None of the surrounding communities had strings in their school programs, either.”  

After finishing her music degree, Campbell set up a private music school following the pattern of a public school music program as much as possible.  The school district allowed her to put on assemblies each year with the help of Summerhays music and their traveling clinician, to invite young people to take violin lessons, which turned out to be a big success. A large program developed with students from all over the county and beyond.  She set up a board of directors as a sounding board for parents.  Those board members, including Marilyn Kukachka and the late Mary Sorensen, both of Soda Springs, served many years.  “We held several string clinics with the school district in Pocatello.  Sandra Kenney taught an after school strings program there and we did a few clinics together.  The board began an annual fundraiser that allowed us to purchase awards and pay for a private lesson scholarship.  Some students later desired to change their instrument to viola, cello, or bass.  We were able to purchase orchestra music and a string bass through our fund raiser.  Many musicians in the community began developing their stringed instrument skills more fully, including Anne and Wade Olorenshaw of Bancroft.  Eventually we developed a community orchestra.  People from surrounding communities were invited to join us.  We also had a high school chamber ensemble, which went on tour and performed in various music festivals, including the state music festival in Boise.”

In 2005, Kathleen and her husband were preparing to serve a senior mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  “At that time, to make sure the strings program kept going, Kristie Godfrey, the mother of two of my students, together with Mary Sorensen and I, formed an organization called Caribou Highlands Strings.  Kristie was the chairman of that organization.  It became an after school program.  We were able to hold classes in the school building.  Several people assisted in the teaching of these classes, including myself, Kim Thompson and Debbie Hansen.  This program continued for several years, with Debbie Hansen taking over the chairman duties when Kristie Godfrey moved away.  Debbie has since developed that program until it has become an actual part of the school curriculum that it is today.”

According to Debbie Hansen, Marsh Valley usually hosts a district 5 middle school honors clinic each year. In the past, it has been band and choir only. Last year, orchestra was invited for the first time, and she says the kids loved it. “When I told them they wouldn’t have honors orchestra this year, they were disappointed, so me and Maggie Price decided to create our own. This was the first time we have hosted at Tigert Middle School. The guest conductor and teachers were asked by me if they would participate. I knew most of them from our community orchestra here in Soda Springs.” 

In fact, Hansen credits the adults in the area for being the reason the strings program has continued.  “I think a lot of the support for string instruments in Soda Springs comes from adults who play. Many of us were taught in larger areas and have been able to bring our skills to our small town. Kathleen Campbell has been a huge part of it all and I have tried hard to get it in the schools. Superintendent Mollie Stein was instrumental in getting that set up about five years. Before that, we had an after school program that has existed since before I moved here in 2004.”

Hansen’s own path to her position as orchestra director wasn’t direct either.  “When I got married, I moved to Soda and Kristie Godfrey found out I played the violin. She introduced me to the community orchestra and the Caribou Highland Strings program and asked me to teach. I’d never taught before, but really enjoyed it. I taught on and off as I had kids and helped on the board. I wanted my time after school with my kids, so I lobbied for the school to have the program and they worked it out,” she says.

In Soda Springs, general music is part of every student’s curriculum until 4th grade and then it is by choice. Snake River, who brought 40 students, requires their 5th and 6th grade students to take either band, orchestra, or keyboarding. “That helps a ton with recruitment,” Hansen said. “Grace has an awesome choir and band led by Beth Buxton and I believe also requires their 6th graders to take a music class.”

Campbell reiterates the value of the contributions from musicians in the area.  “We have a community orchestra today, which brings all of these musicians together. So yes, it is a tight-knit group.  The Caribou County Community Choir and Orchestra Foundation is a 501 C3 organization.  Wade Olorenshaw is the committee chairman.  We have people on the board of directors from Soda Springs, Grace, Bancroft, and Montpelier, with musicians from all of those areas, as well.  Our main function is to hold an annual Community Christmas Concert. Music teachers of the area are the directors.”

Campbell feels that the strength of a music program is in the “development of skills making music as a group.  A feeling of belonging to something bigger than self.  Working together to make something beautiful.”

Debbie Hansen adds, “I feel like the musical people in the area are a tight knit group. The community orchestra helps. It takes years to build musical talent, so we have a respect and bond with those who put in the time to learn and keep playing. It’s a lifelong talent that doesn’t have to end after
you graduate.”

Campbell’s favorite thing about teaching is the students.  “At this Honors Orchestra clinic they were so attentive and willing and enthusiastic about being there, about rehearsing and performing.  That is what makes it really fun.  I also love it when all are following the director and making the music come together perfectly.”

She encourages parents to consider putting their kids into music classes.  “It’s definitely worth it for their kids to participate.  Orchestra students are usually some of the best behaved, the smartest, and the most active kids in the school.  It is a great and wholesome place for them to associate.  Also, to accelerate and improve their skills, parents should enroll their children in private lessons.  Private lessons will be most likely needed if the students want to get to a competitive level or to be able to play in a college orchestra.  College/university orchestras are very satisfying to play in. Often university orchestras will go on tour.  When you participate in an orchestra tour, the music becomes more cohesive.  You love it more as it becomes really a part
of you.”

Orchestra Director Debbie Hansen agrees, “There is tons of research supporting music in regards to academic improvement and mental health. One of my favorite phrases is “music is what feelings sound like.” It gives the students healthy outlets to express their emotions. Music gives them a group of kids they belong to. It teaches teamwork and patience. Plus, music is very mathematical and can help students understand fractions, ratios, addition, subtraction etc.”  Asked what she would say to parents wondering if orchestra was right for their kids, she says “I would tell parents to make sure their student is in a music class in middle school. Kids that age are learning and changing and don’t usually know what they enjoy yet. So try it out! It gives them a break from classes that may frustrate them and an opportunity for free music lessons. I’ve never had a parent or student tell me they wish they hadn’t learned music.”

Campbell, Hansen, and Norton all hope that the program at Tigert continues to expand, and that events such as this district event continue to grow and attract more students in the future.