After passing the ticket booth and ascending the grand stairwell, one may enter a huge lobby decorated with elegant furniture and a massively stunning chandelier. A brief conversation with an usher later results in proceeding to a blue velvet seat while admiring the intricate organ pipes at the front of Spivey Concert hall. With a quick glance at a printed bulletin, several names jump out from the page, all of which are leaders in the NAHS orchestra program. What would members of North Atlanta’s Philharmonic orchestra be doing here?

Spivey Hall Chamber Orchestra Workshop held at Clayton State University is a three-day intensive learning session that allows students from all over metro-Atlanta schools to come and work with some of the finest string musicians in the south. This year’s conductor was Dr. Marilyn Seelman who has worked diligently for many years with youth and young adults to improve their music capabilities. Under Steelman’s care, 49 students, recommended by their teachers, were selected to study in this year’s program. They first worked in small sectionals then as a whole and eventually for a final show on Friday, November 13. The sectionals allowed students to enhance their talent by working with other strong musicians of their age group and instrument. The quality of these young musicians performance equaled the opportunity that Spivey gave them to perfect their craft.

Participants: Chase Barber (Violin), Madison McBride (Violin), Monique Smith (Viola), Ricci Valldejuli (Cello), Colleen Wong (Cello) and Patrick Wilson (Bass).