Instrumental and String Music
"Instrumental music is creative energy captured in sound, it can convey what words alone cannot express" – Bonnie Weaver
Central Christian is one of the few schools in the area to offer the opportunity to be a part of a full orchestra. Our current orchestra consists of strings, winds and percussion. Works studied are primarily sacred and non sacred pieces by classic composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Few things proclaim the majesty of our Lord and express emotion as an orchestra can.
Instrumental music director, Bonnie Weaver, has been a part of the Central music department for seven years. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University's school of Music with special emphasis on winds.
Working with her is strings specialist Lara Dudack. Lara comes from the Akron Symphony and is a graduate of Eastman School of Music. Central students benefit greatly from having instructors who have specialized areas of interest and training.
In addition to Orchestra, Central offers several other large and small ensembles for students to participate in., including:
Wind Ensemble: Open to high school students who play a wind instrument or percussionists. Students study a wide variety of Concert Band and Symphonic Wind literature. Performance opportunities include Prelude and Dessert Concert, Christmas Concert, Mennonite Regional Orchestra Festival and the Spring Concert.
String Ensemble: Open to high school students who play a string instrument. Students study standard string orchestra material. Performance opportunities include Prelude and Dessert Concert, Christmas Concert, Mennonite Regional Orchestra Festival and the Spring Concert.
Jazz Band: The jazz ensemble plays a variety of musical styles which include swing, rock, latin, ballads. This ensemble allows students to gain leadership skills through part independence. Performance opportunities include all high school concerts, MSC Orchestra Festival and high school basketball games.
Heartland Strings: A chamber quartet. Heartland performs at our school concerts as well as area nursing homes, weddings and local events.
Private Lesson Program: Area professional musicians come to Central during the school day to give one on one private lessons. Students receive credit for the lessons.
MSC Orchestra Festival: This is an annual collaborative effort between CCS, Bethany Christian of Goshen, Indiana and Iowa Mennonite of Kalona, Iowa. The festival rotates between the three schools and includes a mass orchestra (over 120 musicians) wind ensemble, string orchestra and jazz band. Students have the opportunity to work with a guest conductor and perform challenging music.