Twelve orchestra students from Campion Academy were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra accompanying world-renowned violinist Midori Goto at Macky Auditorium in Boulder last October.
A child prodigy, Midori performed for the United Nations Messengers of Peace at the age of six. She performed with the New York Philharmonic by 11. When she was 14, two of Midori’s strings broke during a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Serenade after Plato’s Symposium” under the direction of Bernstein himself. After the first string broke, she traded instruments with the concert master and continued to play. When the second string broke, she again swapped violins, this time with the associate concert master, and finished the song without missing a single note. She was given a standing ovation for her performance.
Campion’s orchestra students arrived early on Oct. 5 for a special session with Midori on effective personal practice.
“The talk Midori gave about practicing was inspiring,” said Megan Michalenko, violinist in the Campion orchestra. “She talked about organizing your practice time and making sure you get the best out of every practice.”
Sami Hodges, violinist in the Campion orchestra, added, “Midori’s talk on practice was very applicable and has inspired me to make the most of my instrument. Going to Midori’s concert was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced!”
Caleb Wehling, trumpet player in the Campion orchestra, said, “The concert inspired me to work on how I practice daily and to never stop improving.”
Madeline Jordan, a student at Campion and a member of the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra Symphony, had the rare opportunity to accompany Midori for a performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor.
“It was a dream come true to play Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accompany such an amazing violinist,” said Jordan.
Carey Jordan is a parent of a Campion Academy student.
Photo: Carey Jordan
