Last week, 5th grade Cardinals from all five of our elementary campuses attended the Sherman Symphony Orchestra Children’s Concert. These students enjoyed a mix of music ranging from Beethoven all the way to Star Wars.
Each year, the Sherman Symphony Orchestra performs this concert free of charge for more than 2,000 fifth graders across the region, giving students meaningful access to live music and arts education. This experience helps our students build listening skills and see how music can tell stories across generations.
Highland Elementary music teacher Leah Williams shared, “The field trip gave students a firsthand look at the instruments, artistry, and teamwork that bring a symphony to life. Some students even had the opportunity to step onto the podium and lead the orchestra as guest conductors. The experience connected classroom learning with real-world musical performance and sparked genuine excitement for the arts.”
“It was fun being the conductor for once,” said Highland Elementary fifth grader Sophia Bowen. “I mean, it’s not every day you get to be the conductor at the orchestra.”
As these students begin their transition into sixth grade next year, with the opportunity to join band and learn an instrument, they now have a stronger understanding of how an ensemble works, what each instrument contributes, and how musicians collaborate to create a unified sound. What a wonderful field trip for our young learners!