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In a melodic sign that life might be slowly returning to a more harmonious normal on the second anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra on Friday hosted a talented young group of music students from across the border.
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Student musicians from the Toledo School for the Arts, under band director Jay Welenic, took part in an evening rehearsal with the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra under conductor Daniel Wiley at the Capitol Theatre. The Ohio public community school’s choral students practiced in the afternoon with Bruce Kotowich, director of choral activities and acting-director of the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts.
In total, 58 music and choral students made the trip, which included a visit to Amherstburg.
“The students have been rehearsing music created by Canadian composers since the beginning of the school year,” said Becky Ng, WSO’s manager of education and outreach. According to organizers, the Windsor visit had been a dream of the students for over a year.
“They’re very excited to perform here,” said Ng. At an afternoon meet-and-greet, the Americans were greeted with something they’d been yearning for — Timbits, of which a plentiful supply was provided by local Tim Hortons owners.
The Toledo School for the Arts is a public community school that says it focuses on providing Ohio residents “a rigorous academic curriculum and an intense visual and performing arts environment.”