In Thursday’s (11/15) Indianapolis Star, Betsy Reason writes, “Music students at Ben Davis High School had a surprise visitor last week. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concertmaster and internationally known violinist Zach De Pue taught a workshop to orchestra students Nov. 5. De Pue’s lesson also was special because the students ‘won’ his visit. Earlier this fall, while the ISO was locked out, De Pue offered a challenge to area orchestra directors: The high school with the most students attending the ISO’s benefit concert for the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra, performed by the locked-out musicians and guest artist Andre Watts on Oct. 7 at The Palladium in Carmel, would win a free workshop session with De Pue at their school. ‘It is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to learn from one of the best,’ said Amy Noble, director of the Ben Davis orchestra. … Ben Davis had a large number of students interested in the concert after five ISO musicians visited the symphony class to donate their time and work with students in small sectional groups, Noble said. ‘After meeting the ISO musicians personally and experiencing the passion they have for musical excellence, our students were eager to hear them perform, and to win the workshop with Zach,’ she said.”
Posted November 16, 2012
