The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts provided amazing acoustics on Monday night when the symphonic orchestra performed as part of the William Jewell Festival of Strings. William Jewell College hosted the event and invited five area high school orchestras to perform. The symphonic orchestra performed along with orchestras from Blue Valley North High School, Park Hill High School, Liberty High School, and Liberty North High School.

“I think that it was awesome to be able to do because we got to experience what most professional string players get to do,” junior Vanessa Mahan. “I think I learned a lot about professional music from playing in such a big venue.”

Feb. 8 was the first ever Festival of Strings, during which each school took an afternoon field trip to rehearse on the stage and then returned that evening for the performance in front of their peers, parents and instructors from the Kansas City area.

“I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City and performing at the Kauffman Center was just as rewarding and remarkable,” orchestra director James Freise said.

Seniors had the opportunity to participate in the Britten Orchestra and perform alongside students from all five of the high schools, as well as students from William Jewell College and area orchestra instructors.

“It was an incredible experience,” senior Rebecca Robbins said. “The venue was beautiful and the acoustics were amazing.”

The Britten Orchestra had an additional rehearsal with Dr. Tony Brandolino, the orchestra director at William Jewell College.

“It was really cool knowing that we were playing in a place where so many famous artists have performed,” senior Ashlyn Perry said.

The concert concluded with the Britten Orchestra’s performance, which was followed by a standing ovation from the audience of underclassmen and parents from all five high schools.