Students from fourth to 12th grade gathered together at the LHS gym on March 11 for the district’s annual String Fest. As the finale of the event, all musicians combined to perform “Festival Rondo,” filling the gym with the sound of over 375 string players. The high school repertoire also featured “Endless Voyage,” a contemporary piece, and “Tanc Furioso,” a lively Hungarian dance that contrasted in style and energy.

“Lakeridge High School has hosted this for the third year in a row. We had a lot of student helpers set up all the 375 chairs, which is awesome,” said orchestra teacher Kristina Stingle.

Throughout the concert, musicians of all ages showcased their progress and versatility, performing pieces that ranged from jazz to classical to modern works. The variety of music highlighted both technical skill and the growth of students across the district’s orchestra programs.

“I really like the rhythm sections that are more difficult and more intricate,” said junior Cash Sattelberger, referring to the challenges within the high school repertoire.

In addition to musical complexity, the scale of the event itself made it unique. With hundreds of students participating, the String Fest required strong coordination and cooperation behind the scenes.

“I think the biggest challenge sometimes is keeping our younger students quiet and contained while other groups are rehearsing, and putting together ‘Festival Rondo’ with 375 people is probably the largest challenge,” said Stingle.

Despite these challenges, the event created a strong sense of community among performers. Students were able to hear each other’s progress and experience what it feels like to be part of a much larger ensemble.

The annual String Fest has been hosted at the LHS gym for the past three years, continuing to bring together student musicians in a shared celebration of music and collaboration.