At 9 a.m. on Feb. 26, West Orchestra Director Jon Welch, Northwest Orchestra Director Kathryn Swinbank and members of West’s Philharmonic Strings and Symphony Strings boarded two charter buses headed to West Des Moines Valley High School. After stopping by Jordan Creek Mall for lunch, they arrived at Valley to perform at the Valley Orchestra Festival. The orchestras played in front of two clinicians, Joshua Barlage and Kara Mather, who gave feedback on their performances. Both groups did outstanding, and Symphony Strings received a superior rating.
With the upcoming festival Carnegie Hall, this feedback was crucial for Symphony in preparing for the performance.
Director Jon Welch conducts Philharmonic Strings' cello section at the orchestra festival Feb. 26.
