(Chelsea Update would like to thank Jed Fritzemeier for the information in this story.)
On Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Chelsea High School Auditorium, the Chelsea Orchestra program will reach a new goal by having the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra perform half of a concert.
The first half will be performed by the Chelsea High School orchestras. This is an important event for the orchestra program as this demonstrates to the students not only the power of great music making but also the practical application of the work they do in the classroom.
Chelsea High School Orchestra Director Jed Fritzemeier explains in a press release why this has been his aim for the program since he began teaching in Chelsea 31 years ago.
“I believe in the power of great music and the vital relationship of great art and society,” he said. “Often, the music of the great masters such as Beethoven, Brahms and Bach, do not make money as a result of a lack of audience attendance. This is because of the level of understanding it takes to appreciate their works.”
He said, my goals have been to:
- have students perform great music well enough to formulate an understanding of the art’s complexity and craftsmanship
- bring the experiential learnings of the orchestra to as many students as possible
- to connect and promote my school program with a professional orchestra.”
The A2SO/CHS concert on Nov. 20 will hopefully be the beginning of a relationship that will help bring the orchestra to the Chelsea students and community – which in turn can bring new audience members to A2SO concerts.
