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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — It could be a scene from a movie.
More than a dozen 13- to 19-year-olds fill a funky, old classroom in the basement of the old Huntington High School. Not only are they bubbling with excitement and camaraderie, they each hold an instrument not typically seen anywhere, let alone Appalachia.
As they pick up their violins, violas, cellos and basses, you get the feeling something special is about to happen.
Then they play, and the sound of strings fills the room.
Aug. 27 was the first practice of the Tri-State Youth Orchestra, which is now going into its 19th year.
"It's immersive," said Caralee Casto, a cellist and senior at Cabell Midland High School. "As opposed to high school class where you're sitting with a bunch of other kids who don't know what's going on, this, you jump right into really hard stuff. It's sink or swim. It's like learning a new language. For me, it meant getting closer to my music and getting better. I get to do what I love, and I get to do it with a bunch of people who aren't just here for kicks."
Directed by Ron Caviani, the orchestra is comprised of students from area West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky schools. The practices will be just strings until the end of October and then auditions for vacant seats in the brass, wind and percussion sections will take place.
"It's a satisfying job," said Caviani, who started the nonprofit program after similar programs failed at the high schools.
"I knew that the schools in southern Ohio did not have strings," he said. "It's limited in Kentucky. ... So I thought let's get a string orchestra so these kids can play. That was the fundamental reason for it, to give these kids a place to practice."
It also exposes the students to things they otherwise might not be exposed to, like professional arrangements of music and professional grade instruments.
"A few years ago the National Symphony Orchestra came through and did a master class with us," Caviani said. "We were doing Dvorak's 5th Symphony and it was the same one they were doing. It was the cellist player, he sat down and said 'OK, let's see what you've got,' and he opened (the student's) book and said, 'Hey, we're doing that!' Everything changed. This guy was pro and he was sitting with a kid from Huntington, West Virginia, reading his music. 'Here, this is how I do this,' and 'How do you do that?' It was so cool."
He said there has to be a bit of discipline, but most important is to have fun with the music.
"School has so many rules that you have to follow, but we all just sit and talk about the music," he said.
As enthusiastic Caviani is about his orchestra, the members are equally, if not more, excited.
"It's been amazing," said Alicia Pelfrey, a violist and freshman at Marshall University. "Everyone is so positive. It's really cool because you can hear all the different parts just sitting in that room."
Pelfrey, who has been a member for three years, said her relationships with her best friends have blossomed while in the orchestra, and it's made her want to make music a part of her future.
"I'll play until I can't anymore," she said. "I'm also considering a minor in music."
John Ross, a clarinet player and senior at Cabell Midland, said through the program, he has been able to learn music theory, which is not offered in the schools.
"It should be," Ross said. "It makes you a better musician and a better person, and you're able to discern aspects of music both in your playing and listening."
Ross said he credits all his success to the orchestra.
The program is funded through grants and donations, which Caviani said are always welcome. Membership fees are $50, which mainly fund music purchases.
The orchestra will have performances toward the end of October, and the first Sunday in December will be the annual Christmas performance.
The orchestra rehearses every Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the basement classroom of the ARTS Renaissance Center on 8th Street in Huntington.
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Information from: The Herald-Dispatch, http://www.herald-dispatch.com
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