News

GLCFA Dorothy Gerber Strings Program Upgrades

Fifty-three new music curriculum books were purchased with grant funds for Charlevoix County students for the 2024-2025 school year, which were essential in helping students succeed in their studies. Additionally, the program needed to purchase sheet music for the advanced Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra, where fifteen Charlevoix County students participate. One of the students’ favorite pieces was Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. GLCFA staff reported that seeing the looks on the kids’ faces the first time the orchestra played the piece with the woodwinds, brass, and percussion joining them was priceless. This piece was chosen to feature a Charlevoix County cello student, Lena Sytsma-Reed, who has been in the program for years and is graduating this year. It was one of the more significant pieces of music in the concert. DGSP instructors and families were proud of the orchestra students’ hard work, and the performance was a huge success.