03.13.2008
Arts Center drummers give first performance
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Students from Iredell-Statesville Schools Visual and Performing Arts Center could not have picked a better crowd to unveil their talents to Wednesday.
Nine students in the Steel Drum Band performed publically for the first time since the school officially opened its doors this year.
The students performed seven Caribbean-style songs during the United Way’s “Agenda for Lasting Change” event at the County Government Center.
“I’m really excited we got to perform for people,” said 12th-grader Raven Brown.
Before the brief United Way event got under way, the students entertained the crowd gathered outside the building.
The band’s music resonated down Center Street and neighboring roads. The music even caught the attention of construction workers in an adjacent building who stood and listened to the band until the end.
The Steel Drum Band is composed of ninth- through 12th-graders. It is one of the many individualized music programs the new magnet school, housed on the Statesville High School campus, has to offer.
Essence Whitesides, 16, said the performance was their “coming out.”
“It’s our first time we can show our talent. We’re giving back what they gave us,” she said.
The school’s mission is to provide artistically talented high school students the opportunity to enhance their skills. It offers visual arts, theater arts, dance, choral and instrumental.
The band will have its second performance at SHS during a music recital this week.
Band member Jasmine Gray, 15, said she was pleased with the crowd and the positive response to their music.
She said this was the band’s opportunity to show the community what they’ve learned and practice every day in school.
“This was overwhelming” she said.
Instrumental Director Jamie Kincaid was proud of her students.
“They did well. This was a very public performance for them,” she said.
Student Justin Hector, 15, said he enjoys being in the band because music is something he loves to do, and performing for people is a plus.
“It was shocking to see all the people,” he said. “We tried hard and took time out to learn and they enjoyed it.”
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