Capstone to a big year
Published 10:43 am Wednesday, May 11, 2016
![Gene Schott directs the Concert Orchestra in Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium Monday. The orchestra program is preparing for its final concert of the year at 7 p.m. Thursday in Knowlton. Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com](https://www.austindailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2016/05/0511.AHS-OrchestraADH-6.jpg)
Gene Schott directs the Concert Orchestra in Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium Monday. The orchestra program is preparing for its final concert of the year at 7 p.m. Thursday in Knowlton.
Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
The Austin High School orchestra program is about to close and celebrate another successful school year.
The school’s Prep Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestras will perform during the program’s fourth and final concert of the 2015-16 school year at 7 p.m. Thursday in AHS’s Knowlton Auditorium.
“This concert is kind of like the capstone of all the great things that we’ve done this year,” orchestra director Gene Schott said.
The final concert of the season is the senior recognition concert, but it’s also a celebration to look back at the school year and the students’ many accomplishments.
The chamber orchestra La Fiera String Ensemble received a perfect score and received a Best in Site award at a solo and small group solo ensemble contest in Lakeville. The ninth-grade Prep Orchestra was invited to play at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, the only outstate ensemble to be invited. In March, several Chamber Orchestra students traveled to and performed in New Orleans.
![Seniors Dillon Underdahl and Gabrielle Bauer perform with the Concert Orchestra in Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium Monday. Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com](https://www.austindailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2016/05/0511.AHS-OrchestraADH-4-449x333.jpg)
Seniors Dillon Underdahl and Gabrielle Bauer perform with the Concert Orchestra in Austin High School’s Knowlton Auditorium Monday.
Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com
“It was just a great experience to go down to New Orleans,” Schott said.
Thursday’s concert will close the year with several great pieces of music, including a medley from “The Lord of the Rings” films along with a celtic piece composed by a Minnesota native, which the Symphony Orchestra will perform.
The concert will end with all three orchestras — more than 140 students — onstage playing “The Great Gate of Kiev.”
“The state of our string program here in Austin is as strong as ever, and we look forward to having many more years of wonderful concerts,” Schott said. “And we encourage everyone to come out this Thursday and see that.”
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students/seniors and available at the door.