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  • Writer's pictureLima Symphony Orchestra

LIMA SYMPHONY REACHES LIMA CITY SCHOOL STUDENTS DURING PANDEMIC

Lima, OH (October 19, 2021) – The Lima Symphony Orchestra has recently completed a project almost two years in the making – Project Noteworthy. This educational project, which stemmed from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts awarded to the orchestra in 2020, culminated in performances of original songs written and performed by Lima City School students and accompanied by the Lima Symphony Orchestra. The songs, written by the students themselves, were inspired by feelings of isolation and loneliness brought on by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and remote learning.


After months of planning, Project Noteworthy launched in early 2021. This unique project gave students in four elementary and middle school classes in the Lima City School district a creative outlet to process the anxiety and isolation they experienced amidst the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Participating classes include Ms. Rohrbaugh’s 4th grade class from Independence Elementary, Mrs. Miller’s 4th grade class from Heritage Elementary, Mrs. Place’s 4th grade class from Freedom Elementary, and Mr. MacBenn’s 5th grade class from North Middle School. Working with professional songwriter and children’s book author Mary Amato, students gave voice to both their fears and their resiliency, creating original songs. The songs were then arranged for orchestra by composer Jonathan Wey, and performed by Lima Symphony Orchestra musicians under the direction of Music Director Andrew Crust. Ultimately, close to 70 students participated in this amazing and inspirational project.


“I am so excited by the outcome this project,” commented Renee Keller, Marketing and Educational Coordinator with the Symphony. “Last year was really difficult for everybody, but especially for students. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for students to miss out on almost an entire year of in-person learning. With the funding we were awarded from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Symphony really wanted to find a way to help students use music as a way to heal from that experience. I think this project really shows how powerful a tool music can be in terms of bringing people together and helping them move forward.” Funding from the National Endowment for the Arts was matched by a generous contingent of local sponsors, including: Dominion Energy, Lima Pathology, Rudolph Foods, AR-Hale Family Foundation, Range Kleen, Altria, Lima Pallet, Mid-American Cleaning Contractors, Sign Source USA, Inc., and Mercy Health/St. Rita’s.


A complete summary of the project and performances by the participating classes are available for viewing through the Lima Symphony Orchestra website (https://www.limasymphony.com/project-noteworthy) and YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7smZVocCn1D6qfHQqqvyQ), or by following the video links are listed below:



“Deep in My Emotions” – Crystal Miller’s 4th Grade Heritage Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZU2BQIOrgA

“Everything is Right” – Nicole Rohrbaugh’s 4th Grade Independence Elementary:

“Gray Day” – Joe MacBenn’s 5th Grade North Middle School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ1FQ_0eQhs


“Trying to Find the Light” – Kara Place’s 4th Grade Freedom Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY7GOwgYYeE

Participants:

Ms. Mary Amato – Songwriting Coach

Mrs. Renee Keller – Marketing and Education Coordinator, Lima Symphony Orchestra

Mrs. Kristin Lee – Director of Arts and Magnet Program, Lima City Schools

Mr. Jonathan Wey – Music Arranger

Modo Media, LLC

Chad Stearns

Jonathan Fissel

Cody Ridenour


Musicians:

Conductor: Andrew Crust

Violin 1: Michael Houff

Violin 2: Matthew Latawiec

Viola: Carmen Granger

Cello: Shelbi Wagner

Flute: Lindsay Baker

Oboe: Terri Rivetti

Clarinet: Hila Zamir

Trombone: Dale Laukhuf

Horn: Greg Hillis

Drums: Sarah Waters


Independence Elementary:

Ms. Nicole Rohrbaugh

Students:

Kimiah Alston

Zani Armstrong

Luke Goodin

Taiwan Griffin

Madison Hendricks

Kesan Johnson

Tevin Kelley

Avery Martin

Ja’Kyia McWay

Acie Myers

Traven Roeder

Daylen Rogers

Terry Simpson

Zai’Den White

Keagan Williams


Heritage Elementary:

Mrs. Crystal Miller – Music Teacher, Heritage Elementary School

Miss Katelyn Shepherd – Student Teacher, Ohio Northern University

Mrs. Samantha Tippie – 4th Grade Teacher, Heritage Elementary

Students:

JayQuan Ackles

Aleah Bass

Gaige Bellamy

Ayden Bevis

Courtney Coleman

Ay’den Deal

Derik Green

King Grisby

Raylen Hampton

Tylor Hodge

Jaeshadd Jones

Addisyn Lape

G’Naya Secession

Ta’Shaun Thomas

Laney Thomas-Eldridge

Paityn Tripp

Ni’Asia Walker

Bri’son Ward

North Middle School:

Mr. Joe MacBenn

Students:

Quin'Nasija Ackles

Caylee Coffman

Avy'Ahna Fields

Hailey Gillette

Angela Green

Andrew Green

Somalia Johnson

Saniyah Jones

Koralyn Kay

Kamiah Lee

Remi Ordoñez

Lakken Ousley

Tahleya Ricks

Aleesha Stewart

Tybalt Thirkill

Nicholas Thompson

Taylor White

Chae'la White

Zachariah Wicker

Marte'ja Nelson

Rylan Hammack

Demetruis Kelly

Y'aMari Martin

Zairea Young

Freedom Elementary School:

Mrs. Kara Place

Students:

Kyley Bridgewater

Ke'von Conner

Tori-Ajia Dew

Talyn Ford

E'Manie Fuller

Derrick McNeal

Victoria Pierce

Keyanna Robertson

Zy'shon Robinson

Amyla Sorrels

Te'Niya Whiteside-Jones


Sponsors:

National Endowment for the Arts

Dominion Energy

Lima Pathology

Rudolph Foods

AR-Hale Family Foundation

Range Kleen

Altria

Lima Pallet

Mid-American Cleaning Contractors

Sign Source USA, Inc.

Mercy Health/St. Rita’s


The Lima Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to preserving musical excellence as a living part of our community. Serving communities throughout West Central Ohio, the Lima Symphony annually presents five subscription concerts, a family concert, Mozart by Candlelight concerts and an annual New Year’s Eve Pops concert.


For more information about the Lima Symphony Orchestra or for tickets, please contact the Lima Symphony at 419-222-5701 or www.limasymphony.com.

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