Enrichment

Students in Findlay's orchestra program have access to numerous cultural enrichment activities during their years in the program.

Toledo Symphony Orchestra Mentorship Program.
Every other spring, the Glenwood and Donnell 7th and 8th grade orchestra students have a chance to learn from and perform alongside some of the best professional string musicians in the region. Toledo Symphony Orchestra musicians visit the schools several times to conduct sectionals with the students. They then participate in a concert rehearsal, pizza party and side-by-side performance with the students at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Cultural Enrichment Field Trips.
Every school year the middle school orchestra students have the opportunity to hear a professional symphony orchestra. 6th grade: Toledo Symphony; 7th grade: Dayton Philharmonic; and 8th grade: either the Ann Arbor Symphony or the Columbus Symphony. Students then eat lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse or a nearby establishment.

Special Performance Opportunities.
The Findlay High School Orchestra regularly collaborates with outside musicians and guests for special performances. In spring 2019, the FHS Orchestra performed George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with guest pianist J. Scott Lavender, a FHS alumni and renowned orchestra conductor for the legendary singer, Johnny Mathis. The concert took place at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

The FHS Orchestra celebrated its 110th anniversary in November 2015 with a special Pops Concert that featured two guest conductors and more than 50 FHS orchestra alumni, many of whom are professional musicians. The memorable event also included a special dinner and a silent auction of painted violins by local artists.

The FHS Orchestra performed George Gershwin’s epic “Rhapsody in Blue” with guest pianist Anthony Patterson in May 2012. Patterson—who has roots in Findlay—is an accomplished pianist who has served on the faculty of the University of Charleston, West Virginia; Capital University and Alma College in Michigan. Findlay instrumental faculty—both past and present— joined with the orchestra students to perform this professional-level piece—adding another special element to the performance.

Special Performance Opportunities.
The Findlay High School Orchestra regularly collaborates with outside musicians and guests for special performances. In spring 2019, the FHS Orchestra performed George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with guest pianist J. Scott Lavender, a FHS alumni and renowned orchestra conductor for the legendary singer, Johnny Mathis. The concert took place at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

The FHS Orchestra celebrated its 110th anniversary in November 2015 with a special Pops Concert that featured two guest conductors and more than 50 FHS orchestra alumni, many of whom are professional musicians. The memorable event also included a special dinner and a silent auction of painted violins by local artists.

The FHS Orchestra performed George Gershwin’s epic “Rhapsody in Blue” with guest pianist Anthony Patterson in May 2012. Patterson—who has roots in Findlay—is an accomplished pianist who has served on the faculty of the University of Charleston, West Virginia; Capital University and Alma College in Michigan. Findlay instrumental faculty—both past and present— joined with the orchestra students to perform this professional-level piece—adding another special element to the performance.