Lima, OH (October 19, 2021) – The Lima Symphony Orchestra has recently completed a project almost two years in the making – Project Noteworthy. This educational project, which stemmed from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts awarded to the orchestra in 2020, culminated in performances of original songs written and performed by Lima City School students and accompanied by the Lima Symphony Orchestra. The songs, written by the students themselves, were inspired by feelings of isolation and loneliness brought on by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and remote learning.
After months of planning, Project Noteworthy launched in early 2021. This unique project gave students in four elementary and middle school classes in the Lima City School district a creative outlet to process the anxiety and isolation they experienced amidst the upheaval caused by COVID-19. Participating classes include Ms. Rohrbaugh’s 4th grade class from Independence Elementary, Mrs. Miller’s 4th grade class from Heritage Elementary, Mrs. Place’s 4th grade class from Freedom Elementary, and Mr. MacBenn’s 5th grade class from North Middle School. Working with professional songwriter and children’s book author Mary Amato, students gave voice to both their fears and their resiliency, creating original songs. The songs were then arranged for orchestra by composer Jonathan Wey, and performed by Lima Symphony Orchestra musicians under the direction of Music Director Andrew Crust. Ultimately, close to 70 students participated in this amazing and inspirational project.
“I am so excited by the outcome this project,” commented Renee Keller, Marketing and Educational Coordinator with the Symphony. “Last year was really difficult for everybody, but especially for students. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for students to miss out on almost an entire year of in-person learning. With the funding we were awarded from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Symphony really wanted to find a way to help students use music as a way to heal from that experience. I think this project really shows how powerful a tool music can be in terms of bringing people together and helping them move forward.” Funding from the National Endowment for the Arts was matched by a generous contingent of local sponsors, including: Dominion Energy, Lima Pathology, Rudolph Foods, AR-Hale Family Foundation, Range Kleen, Altria, Lima Pallet, Mid-American Cleaning Contractors, Sign Source USA, Inc., and Mercy Health/St. Rita’s.
A complete summary of the project and performances by the participating classes are available for viewing through the Lima Symphony Orchestra website (https://www.limasymphony.com/project-noteworthy) and YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7smZVocCn1D6qfHQqqvyQ), or by following the video links are listed below:
Project Noteworthy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-WNdazlTDc
“Deep in My Emotions” – Crystal Miller’s 4th Grade Heritage Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZU2BQIOrgA
“Everything is Right” – Nicole Rohrbaugh’s 4th Grade Independence Elementary:
“Gray Day” – Joe MacBenn’s 5th Grade North Middle School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ1FQ_0eQhs
“Trying to Find the Light” – Kara Place’s 4th Grade Freedom Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY7GOwgYYeE
Participants:
Ms. Mary Amato – Songwriting Coach
Mrs. Renee Keller – Marketing and Education Coordinator, Lima Symphony Orchestra
Mrs. Kristin Lee – Director of Arts and Magnet Program, Lima City Schools
Mr. Jonathan Wey – Music Arranger
Modo Media, LLC
Chad Stearns
Jonathan Fissel
Cody Ridenour
Musicians:
Conductor: Andrew Crust
Violin 1: Michael Houff
Violin 2: Matthew Latawiec
Viola: Carmen Granger
Cello: Shelbi Wagner
Flute: Lindsay Baker
Oboe: Terri Rivetti
Clarinet: Hila Zamir
Trombone: Dale Laukhuf
Horn: Greg Hillis
Drums: Sarah Waters
Independence Elementary:
Ms. Nicole Rohrbaugh
Students:
Kimiah Alston
Zani Armstrong
Luke Goodin
Taiwan Griffin
Madison Hendricks
Kesan Johnson
Tevin Kelley
Avery Martin
Ja’Kyia McWay
Acie Myers
Traven Roeder
Daylen Rogers
Terry Simpson
Zai’Den White
Keagan Williams
Heritage Elementary:
Mrs. Crystal Miller – Music Teacher, Heritage Elementary School
Miss Katelyn Shepherd – Student Teacher, Ohio Northern University
Mrs. Samantha Tippie – 4th Grade Teacher, Heritage Elementary
Students:
JayQuan Ackles
Aleah Bass
Gaige Bellamy
Ayden Bevis
Courtney Coleman
Ay’den Deal
Derik Green
King Grisby
Raylen Hampton
Tylor Hodge
Jaeshadd Jones
Addisyn Lape
G’Naya Secession
Ta’Shaun Thomas
Laney Thomas-Eldridge
Paityn Tripp
Ni’Asia Walker
Bri’son Ward
North Middle School:
Mr. Joe MacBenn
Students:
Quin'Nasija Ackles
Caylee Coffman
Avy'Ahna Fields
Hailey Gillette
Angela Green
Andrew Green
Somalia Johnson
Saniyah Jones
Koralyn Kay
Kamiah Lee
Remi Ordoñez
Lakken Ousley
Tahleya Ricks
Aleesha Stewart
Tybalt Thirkill
Nicholas Thompson
Taylor White
Chae'la White
Zachariah Wicker
Marte'ja Nelson
Rylan Hammack
Demetruis Kelly
Y'aMari Martin
Zairea Young
Freedom Elementary School:
Mrs. Kara Place
Students:
Kyley Bridgewater
Ke'von Conner
Tori-Ajia Dew
Talyn Ford
E'Manie Fuller
Derrick McNeal
Victoria Pierce
Keyanna Robertson
Zy'shon Robinson
Amyla Sorrels
Te'Niya Whiteside-Jones
Sponsors:
National Endowment for the Arts
Dominion Energy
Lima Pathology
Rudolph Foods
AR-Hale Family Foundation
Range Kleen
Altria
Lima Pallet
Mid-American Cleaning Contractors
Sign Source USA, Inc.
Mercy Health/St. Rita’s
The Lima Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to preserving musical excellence as a living part of our community. Serving communities throughout West Central Ohio, the Lima Symphony annually presents five subscription concerts, a family concert, Mozart by Candlelight concerts and an annual New Year’s Eve Pops concert.
For more information about the Lima Symphony Orchestra or for tickets, please contact the Lima Symphony at 419-222-5701 or www.limasymphony.com.
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