MHS Orchestra earns performance, academic honors

Front row from left to right, Kirsten Kelly, Morgan Schell, Lavona Lawton, Carlyn Crawford, Morgan Beeler, Brandon Pace, Olivia Diehm, Allyson Cain, Alexis Schwald, Jana Lappin and Tyler Adcock. Back row from left to right, Kirby Brayman, Taylor Ervin, Stephen Meyer, Shayla Mills, Dylan Fornshell, Courtney Anderson, Ian Swisher, MacKenzie Godsey, Kameron Godsey, Jalisah Jackson, Courtney Crusha, Jonathan Phillips, Lexie McDanel, Adam Tucker, Elizabeth Hood, Jacob Phillips, Jodi Harlow and Bryson Fergison.
(Contributed photo)

[Click to enlarge]

The string orchestra, directed by Kevin Lines, played the first movement of J.S. Bach's third "Brandenburg Concerto" and "On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss" by David Holsinger.

In addition to playing well, Lines said the students also behaved in a calm and professional manner at the competition.

"I was just so pleased with the students that day," he said. "It was great fun for me as a conductor."

The MHS orchestra also received another award recently, the Outstanding Scholastic Award from MSHSAA, which is given to extra-curricular groups with an average GPA of 3.25 or higher. The 29-member orchestra's average is 3.64, Lines said.

"This is far and away the highest GPA they've ever had," he said.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net