Andrew Grams acknowledged what was obvious to many Wednesday morning: the 8:30 a.m. start time was perhaps too early for orchestra rehearsal.
“It’s early for me, I like to sleep in,” the director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra told the more than 60 Larkin High School orchestra students on the school stage with him, his cup of coffee only a few feet away.
It was the first time Grams has conducted a clinic for high school orchestra students. He helped the students with pieces they are set to perform for an upcoming recital.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra has long offered educational opportunities for local students, such as providing youth concerts, traveling ensembles, family concerts at Gail Borden Public Library and masterclasses. According to the orchestra, their outreach programs reach more than 25,000 students per season.
And while the symphony orchestra does do outreach to the area schools, it was the first time Grams has ever served as a guest conductor for an entire orchestra of young musicians. Grams said he will likely continue doing such clinics, possibly with other nearby school districts.
Students were eagerly anticipating Gram’s appearance, Larkin symphony director Tom Weyland said.
“(Guest conductors) can lend a different area of excitement,” he said. “When you have two people singing, for instance, they’re probably not going to sing a song the same.”
Indeed, Grams changed up the pace for the two pieces. At one point, he asked the cellists to use more of their bows, to not limit themselves to only a fraction of it.
“Give me your best Yo-Yo Ma impression,” he joked, referring to the world-famous cellist.
“You’re a shrieking whale,” he shouted at one point, eliciting some laughter.
“I want them to go play, make sound, not worry if it’s not perfect,” Grams said.
Teenagers need encouragement, and he said he hoped he could help them with that. He also wanted them to feel comfortable.
“Don’t be embarrassed, you’re already on stage,” Grams told the students, noting how others would love to be in their place and have their skills.
Perhaps most important of all, he wanted them to continue to “cultivate appreciation and love” for playing music, he said. Recruiting future Elgin Symphony Orchestra players was not his objective, Grams said.
“I want them to keep doing what they’re doing,” he said.
