THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505020130
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
They came. They played. They won.
On April 22, the Maury High School orchestra literally stole the show at a competition in Atlanta. Maury outplayed 21 other high school orchestras and bands from up and down the East Coast and earned four first-place trophies, including best orchestra and best overall grand champion.
``We did incredibly well,'' said Gail Barnes, Maury's orchestra director. ``The kids were pretty excited. Students in music don't often get the applause some athletes do. It's nice for them to get the opportunity to get this type of feedback.''
Titled Fiesta-Val in Atlanta 1995, the Maury orchestra performed a repertoire that included classical selections from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Two students won solo awards. Richard Gibbs, a senior, took first prize in cello. William McKendree, a junior, earned top honors in violin.
``I was pretty nervous at first, but I felt really happy with how I played,'' McKendree said.
Barnes received the director of distinction award. The trophies were presented to Maury principal James Slaughter on April 26 in a ceremony that was televised in classrooms throughout the school.
The orchestra is composed of string sections, including the violin, viola, cello and bass. There are 81 musicians, ranging from freshmen to seniors.
Seventy-four students attended the competition. The chamber orchestra, made up of 23 of the most experienced musicians, was recognized as the best string section. Maury's chorale took second place in the chorus category, singing some impressive a cappella pieces, Barnes said.
Competing orchestras and bands came from Toronto to Tennessee to Florida. Schools gave their presentations in the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Atlanta on April 21. Some of the units had as many as 150 musicians.
``We had no way of knowing what to expect,'' Barnes said. ``We placed second in 1993 and '94 ... but we knew we'd be going against some big orchestras this time.''
Barnes has been Maury's orchestra director for six years. She has been with the Norfolk Public Schools music department for 17 years. This is the 30th anniversary for the string program in the city.
The competition was produced by Spectrum of Richmond Inc. The company holds similar playoffs throughout the school calendar. Groups are scored on intonation, interpretation, tone quality, rhythm and stage presence, Barnes said. The judges were mostly college music professors from around Atlanta.
Barnes attributes her students' success to Maury's high standards and to the help and encouragement from the parents. Pupils worked at yard sales and other fund-raising activities to help finance the three-day trip. Parents helped with the expenses. The cost was $270 per student.
``This is great reinforcement for the students and helps create a reputation for the school,'' Barnes said.
Although some of the young musicians are interested in majoring in music in college, most just play for pleasure, Barnes said. She noted that she was pleased with the way the kids handled the accolades.
``They were very mature - even on the bus ride home,'' Barnes said. MEMO: Maury's orchestra will play a spring concert at 7:30 p.m. May 31 in the
school's auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. Call
441-2611 for more information.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON
From left, cellist William McKendree, Maury orchestra director Gail
Barnes and violinist Richard Gibbs.
by CNB