Members of Westerville North High School’s Symphonic Choir enjoyed their visit to the Ohio Theater to see the “American Festival.”
Several members of the Westerville North High School Symphonic Choir took a memorable field trip to the Ohio Theater on Saturday, October 12, to see the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Columbus Symphony Chorus perform in the American Festival, which included an oratorio called Sanctuary Road and concert selections from Porgy and Bess. Conductor was Rossen Milanov.
The American Festival is inspired by two scores that address deeply moving and important moments in this country’s history and culture. Sanctuary Road is an oratorio with text by Mark Campbell based on the writings of Underground Railroad conductor William Still, who helped nearly 800 enslaved people escape to freedom. It meticulously and compassionately documented their lives. Gershwin embodies the love story of Porgy and Bess, with unforgettable tunes and captivating rhythms.
“Overall it was a very moving concert,” said Elizabeth Brosius, North’s Orchestra and Choral Director. “The students and I had some really great discussions after the concert about understanding the first person narratives with so much more emotion because of the powerful accompanying music.”