Beckley, WV (WOAY): This afternoon, a New York string quartet paid a visit to students at St. Francis de Sales School in Beckley. Pizzi Strings presented segments of both classical and modern pieces in an interactive demonstration, teaching the kids about different types of string instruments as well as the different emotions that music can express.
The outreach event, made possible by the Beckley Concert Association, comes before their concert later tonight at Beckley Presbyterian church.
“They will be performing a full concert this evening at 7:00 at the Beckley Presbyterian on South Kanawha,” shared Beckley Concert Association Board Member Shane Pierce, as students began filing into the Crusaders’ gymnasium.
“But this afternoon is a little more of an informal demonstration for the kids where they’re going to talk a little bit about their instruments and about the music and perform selections. And it’ll be fun and interactive and something unique for these kids because, you know, a lot of these kids maybe, especially on the younger end, have potentially never even heard a cello or a violin performed in person for them, or some of the older kids who maybe haven’t heard the Jurassic Park theme song played in a quartet setting in person or a pop song translated into a more classical style… Bringing that to the kids and meeting them where they are in the day is really important.”
If you missed this Thursday’s concert, Pierce says there are plenty more performances from other groups coming to the area.
“It’s still worth your while to get a season ticket and catch the rest of the season or come to an individual show. Just go to beckleyconcerts.com or Google Beckley Concert Association. You can see the whole schedule listed right there on the website.”
