Riverside student performs at special school assemblies

Joshua Gregory (left), practicing with Charles Weatherbee on violin

A special welcome back to school assembly on January 8 brought an internationally-recognized string quartet to entertain and inspire kids at Klager Elementary and Riverside Intermediate schools, co-sponsored by the Klager & Riverside PTO, Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization/Cultural Arts Strings, and Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates.

Carpe Diem String Quartet, including Charles Wetherbee and Marisa Ishikawa on violins, Korine Fujiwara on viola, and Greg Sauer on cello, went from Carnegie Hall to Manchester in just a matter of three days. This past weekend the musicians performed at Kerrytown in Ann Arbor as well as in Defiance, Ohio. The quartet is in residency at the Columbus Museum of Art, where they perform concerts regularly.

The highlight–for Riverside students and one particular Cultural Arts Strings (CAS) student–was being able to play with this internationally known group in a piece, “Witches Dance,” that was specially arranged for this performance. Joshua Gregory, student of CAS faculty Daniel Winnick, who has been playing violin for 3-1/2 years, performed the piece with an arrangement created by the quartet.

“It is a rare opportunity for a young student to have a professional quartet perform with them,” said CAS Director, Aileen Rohwer.

“The assembly was brought to Manchester to not only share the professional level music making, but to showcase how string instruments work together,” Rohwer added. “The Cultural Art Strings program provides the opportunity for the youth of Manchester to learn to play a string instrument and have additional public and outreach events. Many of our students are able to play both a string instrument and wind/brass/or percussion instrument in the school band.”

Asked by Fujiwara how it felt to play the familiar tune of Witches Dance with the backup of a quartet rather than piano, as he has done in the past, Joshua answered, “It feels amazing!”

The quartet also played four other pieces, some composed by Fujiwara about her home state of Montana, as well as other classic string quartet pieces. Riverside students learned about rhythm, meter, and instrumentation in a fun and interactive way during the performance. It was evident that the concert had an attentive and receptive audience!

“You can make music from just about anything,” explained Fujiwara when demonstrating how the stringed instruments could also make percussive sounds and that rhythmic stamping, clapping, and snapping your fingers could add depth to a performance.

Families interested in signing up for the Cultural Art Strings program can contact CAS via the website at riverfolkarts.org. CAS’ Winter/Spring Semester runs January through May, with Summer Day Camp scheduled for June 17-28, 2019.

This internationally renowned string quartet welcomed special guest, Riverside/CAS student Joshua Gregory.

Many students participated in the fun by snapping fingers, clapping, or stamping their feet.

Riverside students were all smiles as they listened to Carpe Diem String Quartet.

Joshua basks in the admiration of a friend following his performance.

The quartet got rowdy in one of its songs and the students enjoyed being able to participate!

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.