On Tuesday, July 29th 2014, ten Conservatory Lab musicians, led by Resident Artist Chris Schroeder, performed alongside student musicians from the Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra, New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Bay Youth Symphony Southeastern Massachusetts, forming the nearly 100-piece Canal Festival Youth Orchestra in celebration of the Cape Cod Canal Centennial Celebration. Conservatory Lab students were selected based upon their musicianship and leadership skills, and the instrumental needs of this combined orchestra.
Students arrived on Sunday, July 27 and took part in two days of intense music rehearsals to prepare the one-hour program. After seven hours of rehearsal on Monday, the entire orchestra was treated to a boat trip downthe Cape Cod Canal and a dance party on the deck of the U.S.S. Kennedy.
The Tuesday concert featured a brand new commissioned work by Boston composer Brett Abigana entitled “Through the Bent and Twisted Arm” and Cape Cod’s own and American Idol finalist, Siobhan Magnus joined the orchestra singing “Ole Cape Cod,” “Danny Boy,” and “God Bless the U.S.A.” Through the graciousness of the Mass Maritime Academy, housing, food and concert production support was provided to the entire orchestra!
