Proud Parent Shares All-City Experience
(Crystal A. Proxmire)
Audrey Langley is the proud parent of three young musicians in the Ferndale School District. She was one of hundreds who attended the All-City Concert and Extravaganza at Ferndale High School on Jan. 29. “Extravaganza and the All-City concerts are my favorite district event. There is so much love and enthusiasm for what the schools have to offer and a strong need to share that information with anyone that will listen! Extravaganza and All-City really lets the parents, students, and community members see and hear the results of a superior fine arts education in action. It’s not just talk. The musical and artistic accomplishments of the students are on full display and it’s so exciting to experience,” Langley said.
Her oldest son Ross is a freshman at FHS and plays violin for orchestra and percussion for the FHS marching band. Gavin is in 7th grade at FMS and he plays cello and is learning percussion as well. Lucas is in 3rd grade at Kennedy. He plays viola, but is not yet old enough to participate in the school orchestra until next year, though Langly said Lucas “often tags along to orchestra related activities with his brothers in anticipation of being a future member.”
“My kids in particular are very musically focused and oriented. Music has taught them how to work together with their fellow students to create one sound. Music practice requires focus and concentration and that pays off in their schoolwork,” Lucas said. “At FMS, the music students have band or orchestra as their “homeroom” which allows them to start their day with music. It really sets the tone and clears the mind for the academic studies ahead in the day. Studies show that children who study music are smarter, calmer, and better students, and in my experience I find that to be very true.”
Langley says her favorite part of the day is hearing the kids perform. “The last song for All-City orchestra is always a fun combined arrangement done by director Ben Moy for grades 4-12. Every year, it has the whole gym on their feet, applauding through tears. It’s pretty powerful and moving to start out with the tiny fourth graders with Lifesavers on their bows progress up the line to the awesome and amazing FHS symphony orchestra students. Every year I am just floored by their sound. I am always being told that our kids outperform all area school districts. So many folks are so impressed by our music teachers and students and Extravaganza and All-City is the perfect way to showcase that.
‘The art and music teachers are jewels, and we are so lucky to have them.”
